CHAPTER XXII 



Othello and Other Gorillas — Othello and Moses — Gorilla Visi- 

 tors — Gorilla Mother and Child — Scarcity of Gorillas — 

 Unauthentic Tales 



WHILE I was living in my cage in the jungle I 

 secured the young gorilla to whom I gave the 

 name Othello. He was about six months old, strong, 

 hardy, and robust. I found him to be a fine subject for 

 study and made the best use of him for that purpose. I 

 have elsewhere described his character, but his illness and 

 death are matters of interest. 



At noon on the day of his decease he appeared to be 

 quite well and in fine humor. He was turning somersaults 

 and playing like a child with a native boy. He evinced 

 much interest in his play, and his actions indicated that it 

 gave him pleasure ; but his face never once betrayed the 

 fact. It was amusing to see him with the actions of a 

 romping child and the face of a cynic. 



He was supplied with plenty of his favorite food, had a 

 good appetite, and ate with a relish. Just after noon I sent 

 the boy on an errand. Near the middle of the afternoon I 

 observed that Othello was ill. He declined to eat or drink 

 and lay on his back on the ground, with his arms under his 

 head as a pillow. I tried to induce him to walk with me, 

 to play, or to sit up, but he refused. By four o'clock he 



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