20 



GORILLAS AND CHIMPANZEES 



country around the lake is mostly low and marshy, 

 traversed by creeks, lagoons and rivers. Most of 

 the land is covered by a deep and dreary jungle, 

 with a few sandy plains at intervals. 



In the depths of this gloomy forest, reeking with 

 the effluvia of decaying plants, and teeming with 

 insect life, the gorilla dwells in safety and seclusion. 

 In the same forest the chimpanzee makes his abode, 

 but is less timid and retiring. 



On the south side of this lake, not quite two 

 degrees below the equator, and within some twenty 

 miles of the ocean, I selected a place in the heart of 

 the primeval forest, erected my little fortress, and 

 gave it the name of Fort Gorilla. 



In the latter part of April 1893, ^ took up my 

 abode in this desolate spot, and began my long and 

 solitary vigil. 



My sole companion was a young chimpanzee, that 

 I named Moses, and, from time to time, a native boy, 

 as a servant. 



Seated in this cage, in the silence of the great 

 forest, I have seen the gorilla in all his majesty, 

 strolling at leisure through his sultry domain, in 

 quest of food. I have seen the chimpanzee under 

 like conditions, and the happy, chattering monkey in 

 the freedom of his jungle home. 



In this novel hermitage I remained for the greater 

 part of the time for one hundred and twelve days and 

 nights in succession, watching these animals in per- 

 fect freedom following the pursuits of their daily life. 



With such an experience, I will not be charged 



