CHAPTER LXXXI. 



A CAMP-FIRE VISITOR. 



UT for the recollection of their good fortune in the easy capture of the chim- 

 panzee, I am afraid Jack Harvey and Bob Marshall would have lost their 

 patience before the close of the afternoon, for, though they hunted with a 

 persistency that ought to have been rewarded, they were baffled in their efforts to 

 catch sight of the most famed denizen of the African jungle. 



This was the more trying, since, as in former instances, they knew they were 

 often close to the animal. They even heard its peculiar cry, and caught the sound 

 of one of them skurrying among the vegetation a short distance in front, but in no 

 case was it possible to secure the coveted shot. 



There was no lack of other game. They could have bagged a score of the huge- 

 eared elephants, which they saw bathing with several hippopotami on the other 

 side of the river, and an enormous water-serpent that boldly swam out in the 

 stream tempted a shot from Jack Harvey, who sent the bullet so accurately that the 

 enormous reptile never saw land again. 



Turning from the teeming life of the sluggish Equatorial river, they plunged 

 into the jungle, where they observed so many strange, brilliantly-colored birds that 

 they were inclined more than once to make strong efforts to secure them, but they 

 gave it over, determined not to be drawn aside from their real business. 



The plan of parting company was tried, but with no better success than when 

 they hunted together. At last the hot, suffocating day drew to a close, and the two 

 met at the camp, where they ate their evening meal of fruit, growing so abundantly 

 around them. You know the craving for meat is much less in warm weather than 

 in cold or temperate, and our friends had, long since, adopted the wise plan of eat- 

 ing only twice a day, and then chiefly of fruit, and drinking as little water as it was 

 possible to get along with. They were convinced, and I agree with them, that the 

 chief danger to explor .is and hunters lies in their carelessness about their drink 

 and diet. 



" We can understand how it is that we don't see any of those plaguey critters in 

 our own country," remarked Jack Harvey, who, having lighted his pipe, lolled on 

 the earth with the full enjoyment of the rest which comes to one worn out and tired. 



" What do you take to be the reason ? " asked Bob, who also felt the delight of 

 stretching his limbs on the ground. It was not yet dark and no attention was given 

 the fire. 



" Why, 'cause you can't catch *em." 



" That is hardly the reason," said Bob, " it's the difficulty the gorillas find of 

 standing any climate except this horrible one." 



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