ome time as we advanced into
the forest there was a perfect silence, yet we were certain that the
monster could not be far off. The trees grew closer and closer
together; and as the edge of the forest was turned towards the east, we
soon found ourselves shrouded in a thick gloom. Still, so eager were we
to meet the beast, that, instead of halting, as might have been wiser,
we continued to push onwards. Suddenly a terrific roar was heard
proceeding from a spot not many paces ahead. Had it not been uttered,
we might have gone close up to the creature without perceiving him.
Just then we saw the branches waving to and fro, and a huge monster
moving on all fours appeared amidst them. Suddenly he rose up on his
hind-legs, holding on to a bough with one hand, and then striking his
breast, from which a loud hollow sound came forth. He uttered another
terrific roar, and grinned fiercely at us. "Oh, what a terrible giant!"
I heard Leo exclaim behind me. I dared not turn my head or speak to
urge the boys to run back. My attention was rivetted on the huge
gorilla, for I now saw before me that monster of the African woods.
Again he uttered a fearful roar, and beating his breast and gnashing his
teeth, he began to move towards us. He was not many paces from Stanley,
who was a little in advance. "Steady, friends!" cried our leader. I
held my breath with anxiety; for should my cousin's gun miss fire, it
seemed impossible for him to escape being seized by the tremendous
creature. Then I saw his rifle raised to his shoulder. There was a
flash, which lighted up the monster's face and the surrounding branches,
and then with a terrific roar I saw it spring forward. Just as I
dreaded that Stanley was about to be seized by its sharp claws it
stopped, and, with a groan almost human, fell forwards on its face,
crashing amidst the bushes, and rolled over on the ground. Even then I
expected to see it rise again and attack us, but the bullet had gone
through its huge chest; and though it made several convulsive struggles,
by the time we reached it it lay perfectly quiet. Chickango struck it
with his spear, but it did not move, and then he plunged it into its
breast.

"Have you really killed him?" cried Natty and Leo, running up to us.
"We would have fought him, that we would!" exclaimed Leo, jumping on the
gorilla's body.

Chickango at the same time seized one of its huge paws, and pulled and
shook it violently, and then set up