1 64 APES AND MONKEYS 



Turning again to Aaron, the big ape reached out for 

 his turkey bone ; but the hospitality of the little host was 

 not equal to the demand. He drew back with a shrug of 

 his shoulder, holding the bone closer to himself, and then 

 he resumed eating. Then a steward gave a bone to the 

 visitor. He climbed upon the hatch and took a seat on 

 the right of Elisheba, Aaron being seated at her left. As 

 soon as the big one had taken his seat, Aaron resigned his 

 place and crowded himself in between them. The three 

 sat for a few moments in this order, till the bis: one got 

 up and deliberately walked around to the other side of 

 Elisheba and sat down again beside her. Again Aaron 

 forced himself in between them. 



This act was repeated six or eight times ; then Elisheba 

 left the hatch and took a seat on a spar that lay on deck. 

 The big ape immediately moved over and sat clown near 

 her ; but bv the time he was seated Aaron again got in 

 between them, and as he did so he struck his rival a smart 

 blow on the back. The}" sat in this manner for a minute 

 or so. Then Aaron drew back his hand and struck 

 again. He continued his blows, all the while increasing 

 them in force and frequency ; but the other did not resent 

 them. His manner was one of dignified contempt, as if 

 he regarded the inferior strength of his assailant unworthy 

 of his own prowess. It would be absurd to suppose that 

 he was constrained bv any principle of honor, but his 

 demeanor was patronizing and forbearing, like that of a 

 considerate man towards a small boy. 



One amusing feature of the affair was the half-serious 

 and half -jocular manner of Aaron. When striking, he did 



