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CHAPTER VII. 
AN AFRICAN FIRESIDE.—A_ CAMP BY THE SEA-SHORE.—THE 
FIRST GORILLA HUNTER.—NEGRO BLARNEY. 
As I and my men lay by the fire, I said to them— 
“Now to-night I am going to tell you a story; an old 
story from the white man’s country concerning yours.” 
There was a very great silence at once, for they knew it 
was not often I came out with a story, and they all shout- 
ed with one accord—‘ Tell us a story!” at the same time 
forming a circle round me. | 
So I begun: ‘Ever so long ago, and a long way off 
from here, but still in your own land, there was a power- 
ful country called Carthage. The people of that country 
‘were brave and not afraid of war. “They had many ships, 
and their ships went into different countries. At that 
time the Commi nation must have been a long way in 
the interior and your people had never scen the sea. 
“Would you believe,” said I, “that these Carthaginians 
came with their ships round here? And I really think 
* they saw the very country in which we now are! They 
not only saw this country, but saw the gorilla, yes, saw the 
gorilla! Ifyou were in the white man’s country I would 
show you the old manuscript (the book), where we have 
an account of what Iam going to say. You know,” said 
» I,“ that words coming from the mouth are soon forgot: 
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