I got it ready for painting, and even then, I own, from some
unaccountable cause, it was somewhat lopsided."

"Maybe you did not use the plumb-line, Master Leo," observed Jack. "You
see there is nothing like that for getting things perpendicular, though
I cannot say exactly the reason why."

"There I have you, Jack, then," said Leo. "It is on account of the
centre of gravitation, and a weight let down on the earth always falls
perpendicularly to the plane of the earth."

"That may be philosophy, as you call it, Master Leo, but I cannot say as
how I am much wiser than I was; only you will see we will get our canoe
to sit fairly on the water--neither heeling over to one side nor
t'other."

Having got all our measurements correct, we once more put the canoe on
an even keel, and then commenced chopping away round the intended
gunwale, so as to have the upper works done first. By Jack's advice she
was sharp at both ends, like a whale-boat, that we might the better back
out of danger if necessary.

"Come, you are getting on so fast with the canoe, that we shall not have
the spars ready if we do not set to work," said Natty. "Come along,
Leo;" and the boys ran off with their axes on their shoulders in high
glee.

They had not been gone long when we heard their voices crying out,
"Come, come!--quick, quick!" Stanley, David, and I hurried on with our
guns, which we kept ready for use, and soon reached the boys. They were
too excited at first to speak. "A wild man!" cried Leo. "A
fierce-looking fellow! I thought he was going to run after us, but he
did not, and I do not know if he is still there."

"But was he a wild man?" said Natty. "He was walking along on all
fours, and then he went up a tree. If he had been a man I do not think
he would have done that."

"Probably he was a big ape," said David; "another gorilla."

"No, no; not a gorilla," answered Natty; "but I think he was an ape. He
was not so big as the fearful one the captain killed and the ants ate;
but he is a big fellow, notwithstanding."

This account of course excited our curiosity, and we all hurried on,
hoping to find the creature which the boys had seen. They led us some
way into the forest.

"We shall frighten him if we make a noise," whispered Natty.

"But I say he is a wild man, and I do not think he will be frightened,"
said Leo. "Only take care; if he has companions they may rush out and
surprise us."

"Whether man or beast, we