Hunting and Trapping Stories; a Book for Boys/Hunting Baboons

by J. P. Hyde Price

The stronghold of the Baboons is in Nubia and Abyssinia on the East side of the African Continent. The baboons do not climb trees, but live among the rocks. In one respect the baboons differ from other animals. They have carried out the ideas of organization for protection to a high degree, and in our land only the bees and ants can compare with them. The early history of the baboon family must have been one of great danger and struggle, for such conditions soon teach any animal tribe that their safety lies in unity.

The colonies of baboons seem to have regular leaders, and then a few still higher leaders and one supreme head, generally a powerfully built old male. The baboons live in large bands among the rocks on the hillsides, and they are greatly dreaded by the natives. They will not molest a traveller unless he comes too close, or is armed, but at times they will raid the villages or the gardens in large numbers, and the killed and wounded on both sides show how fierce has been the fighting.

Some naturalists travelling in Abyssinia were most anxious to get specimens of these dog-like apes. They took experienced native hunters with them, and travelled all night towards the hills, and before sun-rise they had reached the hunting ground.

When the morning mists broke the hunters saw the apes scrambling about the rocks. It seemed as though the whole colony was simply a large scattered band, and the naturalists were inclined to disbelieve all the stories the natives had told them. But the native's information, as usual, was right, and in a few minutes proof was at hand.

Suddenly one of the baboons caught sight of the party of hunters, and it gave a peculiar bark. Instantly the whole colony was in an uproar. The baboons rushed to and fro, apparently in great confusion, but it was soon clear that they were gathering the females and young ones together. These retreated hastily to safety among the higher rocks, and a number of males went along to act as rear guard. Then the remainder, all full grown apes, under the leadership of a huge fellow, advanced to the attack. Never in their lives had the naturalists heard such barking and yelling. They had planted themselves near some large rocks in the best position, as they thought, but the apes advanced steadily upon them.

ANGRY BABOONS.

cleverly taking advantage of any shelter, all except the old leader who stood out boldly in front, and seemed to be directing the others what to do.

The men opened fire and the apes scattered, but only for a minute or so, for they gathered in force again, and hurled a shower of rocks at their enemies. The hunters were compelled to retreat, step by step. They had shot down quite a number, but the others came on just as fiercely as ever. The chief of the native hunters was lying full length on the ground, and one of the naturalists was injured. Matters were getting desperate when a lucky shot killed the big leader of the apes and this threw the others into a panic. They hurled one more shower of rocks, to cover their retreat, and then fled dragging away their dead with them. The hunters then had a chance to pull themselves together and count noses. They found that the native hunter had a crushed skull and was stone dead, while one of the white men had an arm broken at the elbow, the result of a well aimed jagged rock. All the party were suffering from scalp wounds and torn clothes. After all their trouble they had not secured a single baboon.

The next day the leader of the party watched the baboons for a long time with a field glass, and he saw that about five them were in desperate battle, no doubt for the leadership of the band. A week later they were seen moving across the hillside in orderly procession with a new leader at their head.

Some time later these hunters came across three baboons carrying corn and vegetables in their mouths. They had evidently been on a private foraging expedition of their own. There was a sharp five minutes fight and the rifles claimed all three. But for this piece of luck it is doubtful if the hunters would have obtained any specimens of the baboons at all, dead or alive.

On another occasion a hunter found a tiny baboon asleep under a rock. He was very anxious to catch the little beast alive, so he took off his coat and threw it over the youngster and then grabbed it up in the folds. He knew that even baby baboons have terrible teeth.

The shrieks of the frightened baby aroused the mother who had been feeding close by. She in turn barked loudly and in a few minutes a number of males appeared. They seemed to know exactly what was taking place for, with angry barks, they came tearing after the

BABOONS BEATING OFF HUNTERS.

hunter. The chase was long and stern, and the hunter, at last, was compelled to drop the baby ape, but even this did not suffice, for a large band of males still pursued him.

The hunter, in his desperation, drew his two revolvers, and prepared to defend himself. The apes closed in on him and leaped upon him and though he fired quickly and accurately it availed him nothing, for he was literally torn to pieces. The apes hung around the blood stained spot for a few minutes, and then turned and went quickly back to their hills.

There are several kinds of baboons, and all walk on their four hands, and have powerful teeth, and bark something like dogs. The fiercest, largest and most terrible of the family is the Mandrill. This ape's face has brilliant blue and red streaks on the cheeks making it look very hideous.

Baboons are awfully quarrelsome and have great battles among themselves, but still they cease all their wranglings when a common enemy comes in sight. They live alone, and allow no other animals to come near them.

African travellers state that while one baboon is not such a terrible creature, a band of them are more than a match for any single other creature in their country. This traveller had never heard of a case of baboons actually killing a lion, but nevertheless it is a fact that the mighty "King of Beasts" does not go out of its way to pick a quarrel with these powerful apes.

All baboons feed on fruit and nuts and roots, and never touch flesh. In their anger they may tear their enemy to pieces, but they will not eat the flesh. On the other hand the baboons are very gentle wit their mates, and will fight to the death to protect them. They often play with their baby apes, like grown up people.

A TAME BABOON.