344 TRAVELS IN 
above an hundred of them, prompted by cu- 
riofity, furrounded us, continually repeating 
gou-a-cou^ gou-a-cou^ for the voice of Kees 
had greatly emboldened them. There were 
many among them much larger than the reft, 
but they were all of the fame fpecles : they 
performed a thoufand tricks and gefticulations, 
which I fhould in vain attempt to defcribe. 
Thofe would be much deceived who fhould 
judge of them from thofe degenerated apes, 
which pine in a ftate of flavery, languor, and 
fear, in Europe, or which are ftifled by the 
careffes of our ladies, or poifoned by their 
dainties. The thick atmofphere of our climates 
damps their natural livelinefs, and deftroys 
them, nor can they be made to laugh but by 
the force of blows. 
A fmgularity however, which I have already 
had occafion to remark, engaged my attention. 
Kees, which I held by the paw, though he 
knew thefe animals to be of the fame fpecies, 
and repUed to them, would never go near 
them. I dragged him towards them, but, con- 
tented with being on their guard, they fhewed 
no fjgns of fear, and faw me approach with as 
much tranquillity as Kees fhev>^ed agitation 
In refilling. All of a fudden he n^ade his efcapc 
fi-oni 
