IN THE LAND OF GORILLAS AND PYGMIES 38 * 
attired in a red robe, and thus installed as king. After this, some six 
days are spent in riotous feasting and drunkenness. 
The principal object of Du Chaillu was the discovery of a great 
ape which had long been supposed to dwell in this part of Africa, the 
monster of semi-human shape and aspect now well known as the gorilla. 
It was then little more than a tradition and our traveler was the first 
to make the world familiar with its haunts and habits. 
He started’ up the Muni River July 27, 1856, with some natives 
who promised to lead him to the monster’s abiding place. It was at an 
encampment at the height of about 5,000 feet above the sea that the 
first indication of the vicinity of gorillas was perceived by the negro 
guides, who noticed the sugar-canes in some places beaten down, torn 
out by the roots, and lying about in fragments that evidently had been 
chewed. After several times catching sight of the animals, which, 
however, disappeared too quickly for a shot to be fired, Du Chaillu at 
last killed one, and this adventure must be given in his own words: 
“Suddenly Miengai uttered a little cluck with his tongue, which 
is the natives’ way of showing that something is stirring, and that a 
sharp lookout is necessary. And presently I heard, ahead of us seem¬ 
ingly, a noise as of some one breaking down branches or twigs of trees. 
This was the gorilla, I knew at once, by the eager and satisfied looks 
of the men. They once more looked carefully at their guns, to see if 
by any chance the powder had fallen out of the pans; I also examined 
mine, to make sure that all was right; and then we marched on cau¬ 
tiously. The singular noise of the breaking of tree-branches con¬ 
tinued. We walked with the greatest care, making no noise at all. 
The countenances of the men showed that they thought themselves 
engaged in a very serious undertaking; but we pushed on, until finally 
we thought we saw through the thick woods the moving of the branches 
and .small trees which the great beast was tearing down, probably 
to get from them the berries and fruits he lives on. Suddenly, as we 
were yet creeping along, in a silence which made a heavy breath seem 
loud and distinct, the woods were at once filled with the tremendous 
barking roar of the gorilla. Then the underbrush swayed rapidly just 
ahead, and presently before us stood an immense male gorilla. He 
had gone through the jungle on his all-fours; but when he saw our 
