HUNTING CHIMPANZEES. 85 



the monkey was at liberty to perform his wildest antics. 

 I was writing at my window, which commanded the 

 court, and looking up, was surprised to see no Jack, but 

 the natives all craning their necks up in my direction. 

 Leaning out of the window, I saw the chimpanzee climb- 

 ing leisurely up an immense tree and carrying Tom, the 

 little darky, jauntily under his arm. The poor boy, in 

 spite of his friends' advice, shouted up from below, was 

 struggling and weeping, to Jack's evident amusement 

 and delight as he continued his upward course, making 

 the queerest grimaces. Wild with terror, the boy caught 

 at a stout branch, and held on so firmly that the chim- 

 panzee was compelled to stop. This he did, shaking Tom 

 by the heels with his head down, until he was glad to let 

 go and be carried in that position to the topmost branches 

 of the tree. The shouts of the negroes and myself were 

 of no avail ; and it was not until I had sent for my friend 

 and he had arrived at the base of the tree, that Jack would 

 bring his prize back to earth and his anxious friends. 



A few days later my host said to me at dinner, — 



" I am going to make a trip up the Rouyme ; don't 

 you want to join me?" 



" Why, you know I am only just back from the Niger, 

 and am still chattering with the ague. Could I stand 

 this fatigue so soon?" 



" Yes, you have nothing to fear at this season from a 

 new attack, and the fatigue will be slight, as we shall go 

 in a small launch." 



