30 KEES AND THE BRANDY.

‘This was a night of revels. Kees, my favourite
monkey, was seated by my side—a place he never
failed to avail himself of in the evening. Indeed,
I had spoiled him, never eating or drinking any-
thing but he came in for his share; and if I
seemed inclined to forget him, he ever took care
to remind me, either by munching or giving mea
touch with his paw. He was equally fond of milk
and brandy; the latter I always gave him on a
plate, as I had remarked that, in drinking out of a
glass, his greediness and precipitation made him
draw as much up his nostrils as he took in at his
mouth, which occasioned him to cough and sneeze
for hours.

‘“ Kees, as I have already said, was seated by my
side, the plate before him ready for his share, while
his eyes impatiently followed the brandy bottle,
which the Hottentots served. With what eager-
ness did he wait his turn! Alas, the unfortunate
rogue that licked his lips in advance did not know
that he was going to taste that bewitching liquor
for the last time; not that I lost my friend Kees,
though in future I saved his portion of the brandy.
I had packed up my despatches, and was puttin 2 on
the last cover at the moment the bottle had finished
its round, and reached my monkey. I determined
for once to cheat him; but without any other in-
tention than to amuse myself with his surprise.