The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-08-24
Baboon and Leonard.

Near the Winterberg, a mountain to the north
OF the eastern frontier of the Cape of Good Hope
some years ago, there were several troops of bah
oons, young and old, which resided in the deep
T ocky ravines and gamboled among the fearful
precipices around. Very human were these crea-
lures in their appearance and habits; especially
when suddenly alarmed the mammals were then
round their parents necks, and were thus carried
rapidlyto the summit of the rocks, where they
would grimace and cough outtheir defiance on the
| inlruder who had ventured into their domain.
An enemy, however, once found his way into
their stronghold, and this was an enemy hungry
CrOuching down among the long grass or amidst
the crevices of the rocks. the leopard would sud
dehy spring upon young baboon, and actually
devour 1t before the eyes Of its screeching parents
Strong is baboon, the leopard is yet far stron
ger and with its terrible claws could soon tear to
| pieces the largest male baboon,
During some days the leopard feasted on bab-
OOnS but at length these creatures combined and
Jointly attacked the leopard. They did not really
mean to risk pitched battle with him, for these
creatures evidently knew and respected his great
powers. They had, too as the result proved, de-
termlned on safer and more crafty method OF
proceeding.
his adversarieS, left their neighborhood and re-
treated across the country, but he was followed by
| nearly all the large baboons On went the eop-
ard on followed the baDoons The day was bot,
and the leopard disked this perpetual traInping,
and so tried to seek retreat and lie down and
rest. Then it was that the baboons closed round
and worried him. Soon, too he began to thirst,
! his tongue hanging out of his mouth and the
white foam covering his jaws.
Water soon scented by the hunted brute,
and to this it rapidly made its way. But now the
baboons became frantic; they closed on to the
leopard, some by their great activity actually
tearing him with their sharp teeth, and the crea-
ture could not dring. The balloons could relieve
one another, and some could eat and drink too,
while their companions continued worrying the
leopard.
During two days and night the country for
several miles along the course of these creatures
was started by the cries of pursuer and pursued,
and several farmers We're witnesses from a dis
tance of portions of the scene here described
They would not interfere, but watched the bab-
oons' method of administering justices
Worn ont with exhaustion and thirst the leop-
ard at length could tOtter further and sank
to the ground prey to the babOons, who, in spite
of his claws and teeth, which yet formidable,
attacked him with their whole force and soon tore
him to pieces, they themselves escaping with on
ly n few scratches.
Assembling their forces, the baboons returned
rapidly to their stronghold, where they were well
coined 10y their females and young with chOruses
of loud and triumphant barks, which were con-
tinued during the greater part of the night while
for several days the excitement did not seem to
calm down, butrwas shown by the unusual noises
which proceeded from this curious colony.