68 START FOE THE INTERIOR. Chap. IV. 



with, and myself administered quinine and a little 

 wine. In a few days he was much better, and finally 

 recovered. Thus Rabolo was disappointed in his 

 little ekuU-dealiug transaction, but in compensation 

 saved his slave. 



Besides these collections I embarked a live gorilla, 

 our little friend Tom, and had full hopes that he 

 would arrive safely and gratify the world of London 

 with a sight of this rare and wonderfid ape in the 

 living state; unfortunately, he died on the passi^ge. 

 He did very well for a few weeks, I am told, as long 

 as the supply of bananas lasted which I placed on 

 board for his sustenance. The repugnance of the 

 gorilla to cooked food, or any sort of food except the 

 fruits and juicy plants he obtains in his own wilds, 

 will always be a difEculty in the way of bringing 

 him to Europe alive. I had sent him consigned to 

 Messrs. Baring, who, I am sure, never had any such 

 consignment before. I promised the Captain that be 

 should receive one hundred pounds if he succeeded in 

 taking the animal alive to London. 



During the few days Tom was in my possession 

 be remained, .like all the others of his species that I 

 had seen, utterly untractable. The food that was 

 offered to him he would come and snatcb from the 

 hand, and then bolt with it to the length of his 

 tether. If I looked at him he would make a feint of 

 darting at me, and in giving him water I had to 

 push the bowl towards him with a stick, for fear of 

 bis biting me. When he was angry I saw him often 

 beat the ground and his legs with his fists, thus 

 showing a similar habit to that of the adult goiillas 



