156 GORILLAS AND CHIMPANZEES 



five or six chimpanzees that were fond of beer, and 

 would drink it until they were drunk whenever they 

 could get it. I have never seen one, that I am aware 

 of, that would drink spirits. 



Arriving on the south side of Lake Izanga, I 

 found a young chimpanzee at the house of a white 

 trader. It was tied to a post in the yard, where it 

 was annoyed by the natives who came to the place 

 to trade. On approaching it for the first time, I 

 spoke to it in its own language, using the word for 

 food. It recognised the sound at once and re- 

 sponded to it. As I came nearer, it advanced as far 

 towards me as the string with which it was tied 

 would allow. Standing erect and holding out its 

 hands, it repeated the sound two or three times. I 

 gave it some dried fish which it ate with relish, and 

 we at once became friends. Its master permitted 

 me to release it on the condition that I should not 

 allow it to escape. I did so, and took the little cap- 

 tive in my arms. It put its arms around my neck 

 as if I had been the only friend it had on earth. It 

 clung to me, and would not consent for me to leave 

 it. I could but pity the poor, neglected creature. 

 There it was, tied in the hot sun, hungry, lonely, and 

 exposed to the tortures of every heartless native that 

 chose to tease it. When it was not in my arms, it 

 followed me around and would not leave me for a 

 moment. Its master cared but little for it, and left 

 it to the charge of his boy, who, like all other natives, 

 had no thought or concern for the comfort of any 

 creature but himself. I tried to purchase it, but the 



