CHAPTER XX. 



A DISCOVERY. 



|T was not wise to press the matter too far, much as Dick Brownell and Bob 

 Marshall desired to enter the gorilla country; but Mr. Godkin had given them 

 reason to hope, and, when Dick told his cousin what the director had said, the 

 enthusiastic youth declared that, barring accidents, the question was already settled 

 in their favor. 



Mr. Godkin was delighted, on reaching camp, to learn of the important captures 

 that had been made, thanks to Jack Harvey's skill in handling the lasso. If the 

 female giraffe and her young could be transported safely to the coast, they would 

 form valuable prizes for the Greatest Show on Earth. 



But a good deal remained to be done, and all saw the wisdom of the director's 

 decision. They might hunt a good while without finding so favorable a spot for a 

 long halt. Grass was abundant for the animals, while the stream, flowing near, pro- 

 vided water for all. Besides, the country was so open on every side, that if only 

 ordinary vigilance was used, it would be almost impossible for any of the wild men 

 to steal upon them, either by day or night. 



The decision having been made, no time was lost in the preparations. The 

 three wagons were placed so as to form part of a large circle, the property carefully 

 stowed away under the strong canvas covers, and everything made as secure as 

 possible against those tremendous storms which sometimes devastate the African 

 plains. 



One of the most important steps was the preparation of new quarters for the 

 young animals they had captured, as well as for those that they expected to secure. 

 The ^ages, with which our triends were well provided, being intended for use in 

 transportation, were necessarily small, and the active young were sure to suffer 

 from their cramped quarters. Strong stakes were therefore driven into the ground, 

 so as to inclose a fourth of an acre, and this was subdivided into what might be 

 called apartments, each embracing a square rod, more or less. These stakes were 

 so tall, and pointed at the top, that a lion could not have leaped within the inclosure. 

 They were therefore, sure to keep the captives safe inside, while affording room 

 for exercise. 



The section devoted to the giraffe and her young needed to be lotty to hold her 

 secure. As it was, her small head, with its odd horn and bristling hairs, was often 

 seen roaming along the upper end of the stakes, like some creature creeping un- 

 steadily over an uncertain pathway. 



Had you been a member of this expedition, you would have appreciated the 

 services of the natives at this time. The stockades for the captives were mostly 



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