Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-02-27
INITIATIVE cHAcmAs AND sAeooMs.
they Are Fond of FIRES. Although They
Cannot Make One.

Cannot Make One.
I had often heard that balloons can
appreciate fire. though they cannot
make it. A party had been picnickiDg
n some woods, and in one part was n
steep descent crossed by bold lodges Of
rock that made a series OF steps down
20 a spring below. This place was
fixed on as a capital one TO dine in
and a large fire was lit on one of The
lodges for cooking purposes. During
the afternoon the party was broken up
and all dispersed, but considerable fire
was left, as some OF the logs used were
yery thick. Later it was discovered
hat one of the ladies had left her shawl
Or some other article on one of the
edges and several Of the gentlemen re-
turned for it.
On arriving at the spot they were
startled to find the ledge where the
lire was left with q set of new occu-
pants. A number of balloons had
seated themselves near the fire, and
some were engaged pushing the ends
of the smaller sticks iuto it, while the
others devoured the pieces of bread.
rice. and varied scraps left from the
dinner. Luckily. the missing article
bad been dropped on the upper ledge,
and the spectators did not liuger long
in such dangerous vicinity to these un-
invited guests. Some farm hands who
went there late in the evening found
the balloons still chattering round the
burning embers.
Dogs are Of very little use as guard
ians against these ferocious depreda-
tors. They pay no heed to them, un-
less the dog has the temerity TO go for
the chacma, when he gets handled SO
severely it is rarely he will attack a
second time. Native guardians are lit
tie better, for the chacmas, with their
patience and cunning in watching their
opportunity. outwit the men and gain
their ends in the long run in spite OF
them. The screenings and yelling
they make when disturbed ia their
haunts are enough TO brighten any one
within hearing, and when you find
great pieces of rock pelting down dan.
gerously near your head you are apt TO
take to your heels, happy if the screech-
ing monsters do not overtake you.
During my residence in the East
had a fine young chacma given me,
about 3 years old. He grew rapidly
and in about a year he was a large
and dangerous animal TO strangers.
though very tame with me. He
would sit beside me, playing like a
child, but lei any one come into the
room, man or boy, and lie raised him.
sells erect. every hair on his head and
neck standing out, made hideous faces
and showed his powerful teeth -
enough to in%timidate any one, but a few
gentle words from me calmed him.
Fearing some accident | had a large
iron chain attached to a thick ring and
placed round his body. and this was
fastened by a strong bolt driven into q
tree.
Mr.. Jean Louis. as he was called,
took IL all quietly, but on the first
chance he got alone he broke a link in
the chain with q stone in the same
ann as a human being would do it,
yet the links were as thick as the little
finger OF a man. On my return with a
friend | found him up a tree. The
sight of a stranger so excited him he
began pelting US with heavy fruit, pref
ty dangerous missiles, when sent with
so accurate an aim that we had to seek
shelter to avoid them. My friend re-
treated precipitately, but when | was
alone | soon had Jean Louis down un-
der control. He was always accustom.
ed to watch for my return, when al
once he set to work with the impa.
tience of n child to examine my peck
cts, as / always brought him a banana.
guava, or other fruit.
His curiosity was great, also his imi'
tative faculties. Once he watched me
attentiyely make a hole with a gimlet,
aud insert a screw with a screw-driver,
aud he did the same fairly well. H
could drive a nail as well as | could.
draw a cork from 4 bottle, and drink
wine from a glass. and l believe
could have taught him almost anything
save speech. was the only male he
would allow to approach him, but
he never showed the same dispose
ton to a female. His ferocious looks,
however, were enough 10 deter any
woman from going near him. 1t was
my intention to bring him with me
to America, but circumstances pre-
vented it.
A few days before l set sail Jean
Louis got loose and made for the ca
thedral and began tearing of the clap.
boards. Seeing the door open. he
walked in and went to the pulpit, to
the horror Of the sexton, who then
caught sight of him. He seized and
tore the velvet cushions, and when an
attempt was made to lislodge him he
flung the Bible and prayer-book at him
aud fairly drove him from the build
ing.
The police were called. and two mer
with loaded carbines shot my pet while
standing erect defying them. but if
had been called l could have got hin
away quietly. When brought to the
house and laid on the veranda he haC
almost Il human look about him. Jear
Louis now occupies a prominent place
ia the Museum of the Royal Society o.
Arts and Sciences at Port Louis, Maur
titus. Nicholas Pike, IN The Sclentif,
An,erican.