HUNTING CHIMPANZEES. 91 



" You will see later. Do not be worried at our absence, 

 and we will come back for you at the proper moment. 

 Thursday shall stay with you, in case you should want 

 anything." 



A plank was thrown ashore, and I heard my friend 

 give his orders in the native tongue, and then leave 

 the boat, followed by his servants. There was nothing 

 left for me but to roll myself in a blanket and turn in 

 on the cabin lounge. It was still as dark as Egypt wdien 

 I was aroused by my host's gentle touch, who said 

 smilingly, " I am sorry to disturb you, but the time has 

 come. It will be day in an hour." 



Thursday had already prepared our tea and buttered 

 toast, and we made a hurried meal before starting for 

 the Forest of Monkeys. We tramped along in the dark- 

 ness, feeling our way with great caution, for fully half 

 an hour. Suddenly the file came to a full stop. 



" Here we are," said our guide. '' Take my hand." 



He led me to the base of a ladder, which he proceeded 

 to climb, and I after him. Soon I came to the end of the 

 rounds, and could feel nothing above. 



"Where the devil are you taking me ? " said I. 



" Don't be afraid, but move this way," he replied. 



Following his example, I advanced cautiously until I 

 found myself very comfortably ensconced against a great 

 limb of a banyan, with firm footing beneath me. 



'• How high from the ground are we ? " 



" Oh, not more than ten feet," replied my friend, who 



