MY FIRST GORILLA. 33 



We camped that evening in another native village, and 

 the next morning really entered the unbroken forest. It 

 was now necessary to observe the greatest caution, as at 

 any moment we might meet a tiger, a panther, or a gorilla. 



However, before night we arrived without adventure 

 of any kind at the Fan village whence Thursday came. 

 The chief, to whom he introduced me, shook hands with 

 me in the European fashion and asked me if I had not a 

 present for him ! This was a sure sign that civilization 

 had reached as far as this town, at least. I gave him an 

 old pistol, at which he seemed greatly pleased, and told 

 him I had come to shoot a "man-eater." He promised to 

 go with us the next morning, and then invited me to a 

 feast at which a monkey, some fowls, and a bunch of 

 bananas cooked in the ashes composed the bill of fare. 

 The monkey was not at all to my taste, and I confined 

 myself to the other dainties ; but the Fans devoured in 

 an instant all that I left. 



We started early, the chief and Thursday leading us up 

 a narrow valley in which, they both agreed, gorillas were 

 sure to be found. 



" Have you ever shot a gorilla ? " asked the chief, turn- 

 ing to me as we walked along. 



" No, never," I replied. 



" Then I will give you a bit of advice," said he. " Which 

 gun are you going to use ? " 



"This" — pointing to my rifle — "is my favorite, for 

 although the other is double-barrelled, this one is much 



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