k, I am so
filled with surprise by all you tell me. But you forget that you have
not yet told me to which part of the world you mean to go, and what sort
of beast it is you are so determined to see and shoot if you can."

"If I can!" echoed Peterkin, with a contemptuous curl of the lip. "Did
not I tell you that I was a _celebrated_ hunter? Without meaning to
boast, I may tell you that there is no peradventure in my shooting. If
I only get there and see the brute within long range, I'll--ha! won't
I!"

"Get _where_, and see _what_?"

"Get to Africa and see the gorilla!" cried Peterkin, while a glow of
enthusiasm lighted up his eyes. "You've heard of the gorilla, Ralph, of
course--the great ape--the enormous puggy--the huge baboon--the man
monkey, that we've been hearing so much of for some years back, and that
the niggers on the African coast used to dilate about till they caused
the very hair of my head to stand upon end? I'm determined to shoot a
gorilla, or prove him to be a myth. And I mean you to come and help me,
Ralph; he's quite in your way. A bit of natural history, I suppose,
although he seems by all accounts to be a very unnatural monster. And
Jack shall go too--I'm resolved on that; and we three shall roam the
wild woods again, as we did in days of yore, and--"

"Hold, Peterkin," said I, interrupting. "How do you know that Jack will
go?"

"How do I know? Intuitively, of course. I shall write to him to-night;
the post does not leave till ten. He'll get it to-morrow at breakfast,
and will catch the forenoon coach, which will bring him down here by two
o'clock, and then we'll begin our preparations at once, and talk the
matter over at dinner. So you see it's all cut and dry. Give me a
sheet of paper and I'll write at once. Ah! here's a bit; now a pen.
Bless me, Ralph, haven't you got a quill? Who ever heard of a
philosophical naturalist writing with steel. Now, then, here
goes:--`B'luv'd Jack,'--will that do to begin with, eh? I'm afraid it's
too affectionate; he'll think it's from a lady friend. But it can't be
altered,--`Here I am, and here's Ralph--Ralph Rover!!!!!! think of
that,' (I say, Ralph, I've put six marks of admiration there); `I've
found him out. Do come to see us. Excruciatingly important business.
Ever thine--Peterkin Gay.' Will that bring him, d'ye think?"

"I think it will," said I, laughing.

"Then off with it, Ralph," cried my volatile friend, jumping up and
lo