creep on all fours
through the brushwood with the greatest caution; for gorillas are
sharp-sighted, and they have a remarkably acute sense of hearing, so
that sometimes the breaking of a dry twig under one's foot is sufficient
to alarm them.

We did not venture to speak even in whispers as we advanced; but by a
sign Jack told Peterkin to take the lead. Jack himself followed.
Makarooroo went next, and I brought up the rear.

In all our hunting expeditions we usually maintained this arrangement,
where it was necessary. Peterkin was assigned the post of honour,
because he was the best shot; Jack, being next best, came second; and I
came last, not because our guide was a better shot than I, but because
he was apt to get excited and to act rashly, so that he required looking
after. I was at all times ready to lay hold of him by the hair of his
woolly head, which, as he was nearly naked, was the only part of him
that one could grasp with any degree of firmness.

After creeping in this manner for some distance, we got within range.
Peterkin and Jack took aim and fired together. The old gorilla and one
of the young ones fell instantly, and from their not struggling it was
evident that they were shot quite dead. The guide and I fired
immediately after, but only the one that I fired at fell. The other two
ran off as fast as they could. Sometimes they ran on all fours; and I
observed that while running in this fashion the hind legs passed between
the arms, or, as it were, overstepped them. Occasionally, however, they
rose and ran on their hind legs, in a stooping position.

When they did this I was particularly struck with their grotesque yet
strong resemblance to man, and I do not think that I could at that time
have prevailed upon myself to fire at them. I should have felt like a
murderer. In truth, my thoughts and sensations just then were anything
but agreeable. Nevertheless I was so excited by the chase that I am
quite certain no one, to look at me, could have guessed what was passing
in my mind.

We ran as rapidly as was possible in such a tangled forest, but we had
no chance with the young gorillas. Peterkin at last ran himself out of
breath. Stopping suddenly, he said, pantingly--

"It's--o'--no use whatever. Ho! dear me, my bellows are about
exploded."

"We've no chance in a race with these hairy men," responded Jack, as he
wiped the perspiration from his forehead.--"Why did you miss, Mak?"

"'Caus