The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-05-23
AN AFRICAN ADVENTURE.
How Some Zulu Lads Hunted Out Por-
cuPine.

During my residence in Natal South
Africa, | was often annoyed by por-
cupines which would uibbIe at sweet
potatoes, cabbages, and other vegetables,
and then leave them to decay. 1t was
difficult to destroy the animals, for they
committed their Expectations at night,
and dogs had wholesome dread of
their quilts, says j. ID. Tyler, the Wash
ingtOn traveller.
One old porcupine was particularly
mlschleyous. Occupying a deep hole
that had been dug and abandoned by
an ant bear, in close proximity to my
garden, he made his raids without fear.
Offering large prize to those who
would bring the animal to me dead or
alive, some Zulu lads vowed that they
would Kill him. At first they set a trap,
on the same principle as those en-
ployed to snare large animals, such as
elephants, buffaloes. and Glands This
was done by simply digging a hole
and covering it with light brush,
leaves, and sand, fixing underneath
sharp sticks and spears to impale the
creatures falling through. This, how
ever, did not succeed,for the porcupine,
suspecting danger jumped from the
mouth Of his retreat 10 where he could
get footing, and then on to his feast in
the garden
Their next plan was to dig him out
Had the hole been near the river |
should have suggested drowning him, as
used to do in case of woodchucks when
a lad in Connecticut. The Zulus made
good use of their picks and spades, and
about noon we could hear the por-
cupine digging away as if his life de-
pended upon it, which was the case.
As the sun began to sink beyond the
horizon the lads asked: Shall we let
that raScally fellow continue master of
the stuation?"
One of them, tall, athletic fellow,
plucky and rash, the worthy son of a
worthy farmer, trained in the school Of
Zulu warfare a rule of which is ito die
rather than yield, said: Il will 90 into
the hole and spear him."
His companions demonstrated. say
ing: You will lose your presence of
mind and the porcupine will prick you
to death"
However, he would not be restrained.
Tying large handkerchief about his
ASsi'A dLN SIAL4HS al ttSSCf3dA III nc NGAl
and was soon out of sight.
just then appeared on the scene,
and fearing that if not actually killed
he would find coming out more diff
cult than going in, l ordered the boys
to pull him to the surface. WITH some
difficulty they dug down and, catching
hold of his feet, executed the task 1t
was well they did not delay, for the
fellow had become wedged in the hole
and could not have returned without
help.
Half suffocated. he uttered a cry Of
thanks for his own safety, but was aw-
fully chagrined that he had not been
able to dispatch his enemy" as be
called the pOrcupine.
The lads, though somewhat dis
couraged were not disposed to give
up their undertaking. Filling the
holes with logs and sharp sticks they
retired for the night but began afresh
the next morning, aided by some
dogs, which entered into the sport
theoretically. At MONDAY they reached
the animal, nearly exhausted in strength.
and gave him a dozen or more spear
wounds.
The prize was divided among them
and, for time, my garden was undis-
turbes.