142 APES AND MONKEYS 



the end, or till health and strength should return. This 

 was conscientiously done, and I have the comfort of know- 

 ing that the last sad clays of his life were soothed by every 

 care that kindness could suggest. Hour after hour during 

 that time he lay silent and content upon my lap. That 

 appeared to be a panacea to all his pains. He would roll 

 up his dark brown eyes and look into my face, as if to be 

 assured that I had been restored to him. With his long 

 fingers he stroked my face as if to say that he was again 

 happy. He took the medicines I gave him as if he knew T 

 their purpose and effect. His suffering was not intense, 

 and he bore it like a philosopher. He seemed to have 

 some vague idea of his own condition, but I do not know 

 that he foresaw the result. He lingered on from day to 

 day for a whole week, slowly sinking and growing feebler ; 

 but his love for me was manifest to the last, and I dare 

 confess that I returned it with all my heart. 



Is it wrong that I should requite such devotion and fidel- 

 ity with reciprocal emotion ? No. I should not deserve 

 the love of any creature if I were indifferent to the love of 

 Moses. That affectionate little creature had lived with me 

 in the dismal shadows of that primeval forest for many 

 long days and dreary nights ; had romped and played with 

 me when far away from the pleasures of home ; and had 

 been a constant friend, alike through sunshine and storm. 

 To say that I did not love him would be to confess myself 

 an ingrate and unworthy of my race. 



The last spark of life passed away in the night. Death 

 was not attended by acute pain or struggling ; but, falling 

 into a deep and quiet sleep, he woke no more. 



