A BATTLE OK GIANTS. 



It so happened that at this moment they were within ten feei of the tree be- 

 hind which the black-eyed native was furtively watching their movements. Hardly 

 was the halt made when Gyp leaped noiselessly from his hiding-place, and, flinging 

 the net with the skill of Jack Harvey, landed it directly over the head and 

 shoulders of the little one. The latter 

 uttered a series of odd squeaks and 

 squeals, and struggled like a wild cat; 

 but it was fast, and every effort only ren- 

 dered its entanglement more certain. 



The mother's affection gave her a 

 courage which she never could have 

 possessed at any other time. She flew 

 fiercely at the African, but he expected 

 it, and, paying no heed to her frantic 

 attack until sure the little one 

 was secure, he whirled about, 

 and with a quick sweep of his 

 long knife ended her career. 



At this moment the other 

 hunters ran forward, and gath- 

 ered around the captive in no 

 little excitement. 



"Look out for the male," 

 said Bob, the most flurried of 

 all; "he's an uglier customer 

 than the mother." 



It was singular that the head 

 of the family did not show him- 

 self, for he ought to have been near at hand. Per- 

 haps he did take a sly peep at the scene from some 

 safe hiding-place, and was wise enough to know it 



would be fatal for him to interfere. Be that as it may, nothing was seen of 

 him from first to last. 



The captive proved less troublesome than would be supposed. It was a male, 

 several months old, possessed of considerable activity, and for a time he made a 

 brave fight, biting at the hands which persisted in keeping the netting over his 

 head and about his body, and uttering his odd cries of distress. 



Before long, however, he exhausted himself and became quiescent. His captors 

 managed to prevent the little one seeing the inanimate mother, quickly removing 

 him from the spot. He was too young to realize his loss, and, though he doubtless 

 meant many of his cries for the ears of his dead parent, yet he gave little exhibition 

 of grief or distress over his loss. 



The net having been made secure about the young chimpanzee, he was suspended 



