GORILLAS. 431 



measured 6 feet 4 inches from the extremities of 

 the middle fingers across the breast. My Kroo- 

 men would not eat him, but I believe some of 

 the villagers did, although they would not own 

 to it. 



King Bapi placed at my disposition four men, 

 who knew the neighbouring bush, and one, a slave — 

 who was said to be a great hunter, having killed a 

 leopard as well as several gorillas — gave me much 

 information about the game of the country. 



He told me the gorillas were scarce during this 

 season of the year, as they retreated in the densest 

 forest during the rains, for better protection against 

 the weather, but that when the plantains were ripe, 

 they would come fearlessly close to the village, in 

 great numbers. He said he had seen more than 

 thirty at a time, stealing his plantains, but that 

 they were great cowards, and always ran away 

 when they saw a man come near. He ridiculed 

 the idea of their ever showing fight, and had never 

 seen them come up beating their breasts, as de- 

 scribed by Du Chaillu. He had caught several of 

 their young on difi'erent occasions, and one, which 



