will be cautious," said Stanley, advancing in
woodland fashion, concealing himself as much as possible behind the
trunks and undergrowth.

The boys kept close to his side. Presently they stopped, and pointed to
a tree standing by itself in a little open glade. The lowest branch was
about twenty feet from the ground, and on looking up we saw spread above
it a curious roof of leaves like an umbrella, while seated on a branch
with one arm round the tree was a huge ape. His feet were resting on
the stump of a lower branch, while his head was so completely covered by
the roof of his nest that it almost looked like a Chinaman's huge hat.
Presently we heard him give a peculiar sound, something like
"hew"--"hew," which was answered from a little distance, and looking
round, we discovered another roof with an ape seated under it. We
guessed that it was the female, by her having a funny-looking young ape
clinging to her, which she held, as a nurse does a baby, in one arm. We
had advanced so cautiously that neither of the animals saw us. They
were smaller than the gorilla; the hair seemed blacker and longer, and
more glossy.

"Do not kill the creatures," said David. "They will do us no harm, and
we do not want them for food."

This remark was made just in time to save the life of the old ape, at
whom Stanley was aiming.

"You are right," he answered. "I should like to know more about them,
however."

"Perhaps Chickango or Timbo can tell us," answered David.

As it was not far off, the boys agreed to go and get them, while we
watched the spot. Before long the two blacks came creeping up.
Chickango watched them for a little time. Then he spoke to Timbo, who
whispered to us:

"He say dat is _Nshiego Mbouve_. He got bald head, wide mouth, round
chin, and--see! beard like one old man! He not nearly so strong as
gorilla. Dey stay dere; no fear, not run away now."

With this information we returned to the canoe. Timbo advised the boys
to keep at a distance from the animals; for should they discover that
they were watched, they might come down and attack them. Being somewhat
tired with our work, and having made considerable progress, we retired
earlier than usual to the Castle; for such was the name we had given our
abode. Chickango and Timbo, however, remained behind, keeping their
guns with them, and saying that they would give a few more touches to
the canoe.

We had scarcely reached the house when we heard