42 HUNTING IN THE JUNGLE. 



" Don't shoot until I give the word/' Avhispered the 

 chief. It was not a time to dispute such a singuhir com- 

 mand, so I merely waited with my gun ready. 



The monster was about fifty paces in front of us, and I 

 could easily have shot him where he stood, but resisted 

 the temptation. Whenever I have hunted in Africa with 

 the native chiefs I have always made it a rule to follow 

 their suggestions implicitly, — with due regard, of course, 

 to my own personal safety. You can be prett}' sure that 

 these men, used as they are to the wild beasts in their 

 forests, will not give unnecessary advice ; and I have 

 always found it paid in the end. 



The gorilla had dropped upon all fours, — the attitude 

 in which he travels most easily, — but sight of us re- 

 newed liis fury in an instant. He stood erect on his long 

 limbs, and with a roar that shook the forest, advanced 

 slowly, but without hesitation, toward us, beating his 

 breast with his arms. This seemed a favorite gesture 

 with him, for in the ten minutes we had been watching 

 him he had three times made use of it. I cannot better 

 describe the noise accompanying it than to compare it to 

 the native tam-tams, as played in the funeral processions. 

 He struck his chest tremendous blows in a rhythmical way, 

 broken by perfect roulades of roars, and his eyes flashed 

 fire. The chief made me a courteous sign that he gave 

 me the first shot ; and Thursday, translating, said : 

 " Wait until he has passed the trunk of that palm ; and 

 above all, do not miss him ! " 



