The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-12-21
M I S C e L L A N Y.
Natural INTERPRETATIONS.

On the hills adjacent TO the Cape of
Good Hope, these creatures are TO be
found in vast numbers. On remarkably
fine days, they assemble i'll regiments /;
and, with all the order observed by mill
tary at drill. In general they approach
the height of six feet and certainly, in
features and habits, resemble the human
species more than any quadrupeds in ex-
istence, the Orang Outang not excepted.
During the late rendezvous of the 22d
English regiment of foot at the Cape,
several renconlres occurred between the
soldiers and the Balloons, whose lhieving
propensiles were a source OF constant
alarm to every human being within the
immediate range of their numerous cav
ems. The ensuing narrative is from a
gentleman, who was an eye witness 10
the scene:-
Our barracks were situated at the foot
of range of hills inhabited by these
rascals. Whenever the soldiers went 10
? parade, they were compelled, in SELF
defense to leave a posse OF senllnes to
project their property; Notwithstanding
which, their furiive neighbors frequently
stole and carried off their blankets, great
coats, or any other garments on which
they could lay their paws. A poor SOL
dler's wife had washed her blanket and
hung it out 10 dry Scarcely had she
turned her back, when one OF these mis-
cGeants - ever on the watch, stole it, and
ran off with it 10 the hills, which are
high and woody. This act drew on
them the Indignation of the regiment;
who accordingly formed a strong party,
armed with sticks and stones, to attack
them, under the hope of recovering The
stolen property, and nficling such chas-
tisement as might deter them in future.
l was on the advance, with twenty men,
and made detour to cut them off from
the caverns, TO which they always fled for
shelter, in case of danger. They OBJ
served my movement; and Immediately
detached about fifty TO guard the entrance,
while the others retained their post; and
we could now distinctly see them collect.
ing huge stones and other missiles AT
this moment, an old headed fellow,
who often paid US visit at the barracks,
and was known by the name Of Father
Murphy was seen distributing his orders;
md, with the judgment of most con.
summate general, planning the attack.
,Perceiving that my design was defeat
ed, | Joined the corps de main, and rushed
on to the attack, when scream from
Father Murphy was the signal for gen.
eral encounter, and immed Iale Y the host
of baboons under his command rolled
down enormous stones upon US; so that
we were compelled 10 give up the con-
test, TO save our lives. They actually
followed US 10 our doors, shouting. in
indication of victory: while, during the
whole night, we heard such yelling and
screaming, that we expected night at
tack on The barracks. In the morning,
however, we found that all this rioting
had beea created by disputes about The
division of the blanket; for, we saw eight
or ten Of them with pieces Of it on their
backs, as old women wear their c!oaks.
Among he number, slrutted Father Muir.
ply. These rascas annoyed US day and
night, and we dared not venture out, IN.
less in parties of five or six togeiher.-
One morning, Father Murphy had the
consunmae impudence TO walk into the
grenadier barracks, and was in the act of
purloining sergeant's rcgimenal coat,
when a corporaPs guard (Which had been
jus, rclieved,) took the liberty Of stopping
the gentleman at the door, and secured
him. He was powerful brute, and too
much FIR one man. Notwithstanding his
frequent misdemeanors, ne did not like
TO kill the creature; so, having first muz-
zled him, we shaved his head and face,
and turned him loose. TO this ceremony
he submitted very quietly; and when thus
shorn, and otherwise ,itivated, he was
really good looking fellow; and. on the
whole, more p!cpossessing in countenance
than many "bloods" who figure in Bond
street, or the West EnL We then started
him up the hill, though he was reluctant
10 leave u.s. Some of his companions
came down to meet him; but, from the
alteration which the shaving produced.
they did not recognize him, and accord.
ingly pelted him with sticks and stones,
so numerically, that Father Murphy ac
tualIy sought protection from his former
enemies, and in time became quite tame
and domeslcated.
An Irish soldier, who had then been
one of the 22l regiment, in verifying this
last circumstance, said, that every word
of i: was Gods truth, and that if he
(Father Murphy hadn't died within the
last three years, he was still alire. and at
the Barracksl