Page:Hunting and trapping stories; a book for boys (IA huntingtrappings00pric).pdf/21

GORILLA HUNTING another rifle from a trusty native who was close at hand, sent a ball crashing through the ape's skull. It gave one roar and tumbled head foremost on its face. The body twitched for several minutes: and not one of the natives would go near until they could be sure that it was really dead. They got a long pole and turned the body over and over to make sure. The height of that gorilla was just a little short of seven feet!

One of the greatest dangers in gorilla hunting is that sometimes the ape is so silent that it does not give any warning before it attacks.

A hunting party was stalking along Indian file in the forest, and paused for a few moments for breath. It was then noticed that one native, who had been in the extreme rear of the line, was missing. Before the others could search for him they heard a rustling in the leaves, and the poor man's body fell to the ground. The gorilla, in this case, was a female and had a baby with her. She had watched the party approach and had let them all pass beneath her but the last one. This man she had seized so swiftly and quietly that he had not even time to cry out, and none of his companions were aware that he had vanished.

After a stubbon fight this gorilla was killed, and the baby was carried off in triumph. On the way to England the tiny gorilla grew fond of a bull terrier and the two became great chums, playing together for hours in the cage. The poor beast did not live long in the damp English climate, and died of consumption, although every possible care was taken to preserve its life. To this day, though everything is though of in the way of having the houses steamed heated and the foundations built on dry ground, but few zoological collections can boast of possessing a live gorilla.

All hunters and explorers who have met the gorilla in its native land agree on one point, and that is that the stuffed specimen gives no idea of the apparent height, or looks of the brute when alive in its own forests. It would be hard to picture a more fiendish looking creature. Its eyes are shifty and cruel, while its cheek bones and eye brows are large and lowering. Its teeth stick out, giving it a most ferocious look. When alive it appears to be much larger than it really is. Its great breadth of chest and length of limb seems to shrink up when it is dead. The color of its fur is black but if you look closely you will see a slight slate-grayish tint running through it.

The West African natives declare that the gorilla is easily a match for the lion and that whenever the two come together the lion always gets out of the way as quickly as possible. Furthermore they declare that even the elephant will not face the gorilla willingly.