50 SEARCH FOR THE GORILLA AND THE IPL Chap. HL 



seemed on tlie point of starting off in alarm, but re- 

 covered themselves and continued their work. Gra- 

 dually they got nearer to the edge of the dark forest, 

 and finally disappeared. I was so intent on watching 

 them, that I let go the last chance of shooting one 

 almost before I became aware of it. 



The next day I went again with Odanga to the 

 same spot. I had no expectation of seeing gorillas in 

 the same plantation, and was carrying a light shot 

 gun, having given my heavy double-barrelled rifle to 

 the boy to carry. Tlie plantation extended over two 

 hills, with a deep hollow between, planted with sugar 

 cane. Before I had crossed the hollow I saw on the 

 opposite slope a monstrous gorilla, standing erect 

 and looking directly towards me. Without turning 

 my face I beckoned to the boy to bring me my rifle, 

 but no rifle came, — the little coward had bolted, and 

 I lost my chance. The huge beast stared at me for 

 about two minutes, and then, without uttering any 

 cry, moved off to the shade of the forest, running 

 nimbly on his hands and feet. 



As my readers may easily imagine, I had excellent 

 opportunity of observing, during these two days, 

 the manner in which the gorillas walked when in 

 open ground. They move along with great rapidity 

 and on all fours, that is, with the knuckles of their 

 hands touching the ground. Artists, in representing 

 the gorilla walking, generally make the arms too 

 much bowed outwards, and the elbows too much 

 bent ; this gives the figures an appearance of heaviness 

 and awkwardness. When the gorillas that I watched 

 left the plantain-trees, they moved off at a great pace 



