218 GORILLAS AND CHIMPANZEES 



error. He is shy and timid, and shrinks alike from 

 man and other large animals. I have no doubt that 

 when he is in a rage he is both fierce and powerful, 

 but his ferocity and strength are rated above their 

 true value. In combat he is a stubborn foe no doubt, 

 but no one that I have met has ever seen him thus 

 engaged. 



The mode of attack as described by many travel- 

 lers is a mere theory. It is said in this act he walks 

 erect, beats with fury on his breast, roars and yells, 

 and in this manner seizes his adversary, tears open 

 his breast, and drinks the blood. I have never seen 

 a large gorilla in the act of assault. During the 

 time of my stay in the jungle I had a young gorilla 

 in captivity, and I made use of him in studying the 

 habits of his race, I kept him tied with a long line 

 which allowed him room to play and climb, and at 

 the same time prevented him from escaping into the 

 forest, which he always tried to do the instant he 

 was released. I released him frequently for the 

 purpose of watching his mode of attack when recap- 

 tured. While being pursued he rarely looked back, 

 but when overtaken he invariably assailed his captor. 

 This gave me an opportunity of seeing his method of 

 attack, in which he displayed both skill and judg- 

 ment. As my boy would approach him, he would 

 calmly turn with one side to the foe and, without 

 facing the boy, would roll his eyes in such a manner 

 as to see him and at the same time conceal his 

 purpose. When the boy came within reach, the 

 gorilla would grasp him with a thrust of the arm to 



