l$ ON THE EDGE OF THE POOL. 



out any outlet, so far as the hunters could discover. It may have been that in such 

 a smothering climate the evaporation prevented all overflow, and rendered any 

 outlet unnecessary. It was on the banks of this pool that the party had seen proof 

 of the recent presence of gorillas. The hunters made its entire circuit, climbing over 

 rotting trees that lay half imbedded in the mud and water, with rank vegetation 

 growing around them, slimy serpents hardly caring enough for the intruders to crawl 

 out of their path, and with here and there some gaunt, long-legged bird of brilliant 

 plumage, standing in the edge of the lake, lazily waiting for its victim to come nigh 

 enough to be gobbled into its capacious maw, which never seemed to be filled. 



" I don't understand," said Bob Marshall, " how it is that such a formidable 

 animal as the gorilla, and one that is said to be afraid of no living creature, shows 

 such timidity about meeting us." 



" I don't know of any game that will not avoid man," replied Jack, " but we 

 know some of them will fight like all creation when they meet us face to face." 



" Mr. Godkin said that the tiger of India will often hunt those who are not 

 hunting him," said Bob, "but then we don't find tigers in Africa." 



"So will the Apache," added the Texan with a grim smile, "but, as a rule, the 

 biggest kind of game prefers to give us a wide berth." 



"There's one thing certain ; we are in the heart of the gorilla country, and there 

 is no reason why we shouldn't run against plenty of them." 



" I've been thinking," added Jack, after smoking his pipe a minute or two in 

 silence, " whether it wouldn't be a good plan to do as we sometimes did down in 

 South Africa." 



" How is that ? " 



" Separate ; you take one course, I another, while Gyp and Hargo keep together." 



" I was on the point of proposing it when we first sat down on the log," said 

 Bob, " but I was afraid you would think it too dangerous." 



" Dangerous for what ? The game ? " 



" No ; for us." 



" I suppose there would be a little more risk, but then, you ain't afraid to try it, 

 are you ? " 



" Nothing will suit me better." 



" Then it shall be done. Howsumever, the only thing that I fear is that we 

 may get lost from each other. This is a confounded country, without any roads, 

 paths, openings, houses or anything that can serve as landmarks." 



" We had enough experience in South Africa to know how to avoid such a 

 blunder. Besides, we can signal to each other, either by firing our guns or 

 whistling." 



Bob's urgency removed whatever misgivings the Texan may have had in mind, 

 and it was agreed that, after a brief rest, the proposal should be adopted. It was 

 explained to Gyp, who exercised some kind of authority over Hargo, and he nodded 

 his head, though it was impossible to tell from his manner whether he favored the 

 plan or not. 



