138 TRAPPING WILD ANIMALS 
nets and ropes and filed into the jungle blackness. 
By the time it was light, each man was at his 
post, waiting for me to fire my pistol as a signal. 
We could see the two orang-outangs sleeping on 
their platform. 
The men who were to give the trees the final cut 
and send them toppling over stole forward silently. 
Ali was beside me, carrying my rifle; Omar and 
Munshee were stationed near, one at each side. I 
waited, scarcely daring to breathe, for them to sig- 
nal ‘that their men were ready. Ali was intently 
watching the orangs, to warn me if they stirred. 
Omar moved first; then Munshee. I gave a quick 
glance around and fired my pistol. Instantly the 
tumult started; the men yelled and beat upon tom- 
toms and trees. The orang-outangs leaped up be- 
wildered and scrambled about their platform. 
Through the noise I could hear the men at work 
with their parangs; then came the crashing of trees. 
‘The jungle seemed to fold up, and the big tree stood 
alone. The orangs screamed and hugged each 
other. Men rushed forward with the bundles of dry 
grass and started the fire; others came with wet 
leaves to make a smudge. One of the orangs start- 
ed, as if to come down, and I reached for my rifle; 
but when the smoke struck him, he went back to 
the platform, screaming and tearing the tree. Then, 
as the smoke, became more dense, the two animals 
climbed higher and sat on the topmost limb, arms 
