mined that the dog should carry him, until
the party were almost out of sight, and then they both ran in great
haste to overtake their master.

"Kees established a kind of authority over the dogs. They were
accustomed to his voice, and in general obeyed without hesitation the
slightest motions by which he communicated his orders, taking their
places about the tent or carriage, as he directed them. If any of them
came too near him when he was eating, he gave them a box on the ear,
and thus compelled them to retire to a respectful distance."

"Why, mother, I think Kees was a very good animal, indeed," said Minnie,
with considerable warmth.

"I have told you the best traits of his character," she answered,
smiling. "He was, greatly to his master's sorrow, an incurable thief. He
could not be left alone for a moment with any kind of food. He
understood perfectly how to loose the strings of a basket, or to take
the cork from a bottle. He was very fond of milk, and would drink it
whenever he had a chance. He was whipped repeatedly for these
misdemeanors, but the punishment did him no good.

"Le Vaillant was accustomed to have eggs for his breakfast; but his
servants complained one morning there were none to be had. Whenever any
thing was amiss, the fault was always laid to Kees, who, indeed,
generally deserved it. The gentleman determined to watch him.

"The next morning, hearing the cackling of a hen, he started for the
place; but found Kees had been before him, and nothing remained but the
broken shell. Having caught him in his pilfering, his master gave him a
severe beating; but he was soon at his old habit again, and the
gentleman was obliged to train one of his dogs to run for the egg as
soon as it was laid, before he could enjoy his favorite repast.

"One day, Le Vaillant was eating his dinner, when he heard the voice of
a bird, with which he was not acquainted. Leaving the beans he had
carefully prepared for himself on his plate, he seized his gun, and ran
out of the tent. In a short time he returned, with the bird in his hand,
but found not a bean left, and Kees missing.

"When he had been stealing, the baboon often staid out of sight for some
hours; but, this time, he hid himself for several days. They searched
every where for him, but in vain, till his master feared he had really
deserted them. On the third day, one of the men, who had gone to a
distance for water, saw him hiding in a tree. Le Vaillant went ou