Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-05-11
EBENSBTRG, THURSDAY, MAY Il, 1854
Abyssinian MorkeVs.

| The monkeys, especially the cynocephali, who
are astonishingly clever fellows, have their chiefs
whom they obey implicitly, and a regular system
of tactics in war, piaging expeditions, robbing
corn fields, &c. These monl1ey-forays are man.
aged with the utmots regularity and precautIon,
A tribe coming down to feed from their village
| on the mountain usually cliff in the face of
some cliff, brings with it all It's members, male
and female, old and young. Some, the elders of
the tribe, dstinguishable by the quantity of
name which covers their shoulders, like lions
take the lead, veering cautiously over the pre-
cipiece before they descend and climbing to the
top of every rock or stone which may afford
them better view of the road before them
Others have their posts as scouts on the fianks
or nerr; and all fulfil their duties with the ut
most vigilance, calling out at times, apparently
to keep order among the motley pack which
forms the main body, or to give notice of the ap-
proach Of any real imagined danger. Their
tones ofvoice these occasions are so distinctly
varied, that a person much accustomed to watch
their movements will at length fancy, and per-
haps with some truth, that he can understand
their signals.
The main body is composed of females, and
inexperienced males, and young people of the
tribe. Those of the females who have small
children, carry them on their back. Unlike the
distinguished march Of the leaders, the rabble 90
along in a most disordcrly manner, trotting on
and chattering, without taking the least heed of
anything, apparently cOnfding in the vigilance
of their scouts. Here a few of the youth linger
behind to pick the berries off some tree, but not
long, for the guard coming up forcos them to
regain their places. There matron causes to
make her offspring, and, not to lose any time
dresses its hair while 1t is taking its meal, An
other young lady, probably excited to jealousy,
or by some sneering look or word, pulls any ugly
mouth at her neighbor, and then uttering a
shrill squal, highly expressive of rage, vindic-
lively snatches at her rivals leg tail with her
hand, and gives her, perhaps, a bite in the hind
quarters. This provokes a retort, and most
unladylike quarrel ensues, till a loud bark of
command from one of the chiefs call them TO Or
der. a single cry of alarm makes them all halt.
and remain on the gui UtCe till another bark in
different tone treasures them, and they then pro-
coed on their march. Arrived at the corn fields,
the scouts take their position on the eminence
all around, while the remainder of the tribe col
lect provisions wit the utmost expedition, filing
THEFT check-pouches as full as they can hold, and
then taking the heads of corn under their arm
pits. Now unless there be partition of the col
lected spoil, how do the scouts feed ? for 1 have
watched them several times, and never observed
them to quit for a moment their post of duty
till it was time for the tribe to return, or till
some indication of danger, induced them to take
to flight. They show also the same sagacity in
SpareluU fnry Of ba IL
ces where it is most readily found in the sand,
and then digging for it with their hands, just as
men would, relieving another IN the work, if
the quantity of sand to be removed be consider
able.-ParkyH's life IN Abystaia.