a distant shot. Leo and
Natty, who had just given an account of the animal they had seen to the
young ladies, and were still somewhat excited, ran out to ascertain who
had fired. We heard them shouting out--

"There they are! and they're bringing a little chap along with them!"

"It is a young ape," cried Natty.

"No; I tell you it is a small savage--a boy," exclaimed Leo. "See! why,
he is walking along!"

This announcement, as may be supposed, made us all rush to the door.
Sure enough, the two blacks were seen dragging along a young ape with a
handkerchief tied over its head; and even then it was turning first on
one side and then on the other, endeavouring to bite its captors.

"I am afraid they must have killed the old one," said David, "or they
would not have caught that young creature. That must be the little ape
we saw with its mother. No, we did not tell them to let the animals
alone; and they do not understand the humane feelings which, at all
events, ought to influence us. They probably were surprised we did not
kill the creatures at once."

The blacks now came up with their prize.

"We killed de big mother," said Timbo. "Chickango say he go back and
fetch her when we make fast de little one, which we bring as playmate
for Missy Kate and Bella."

"I doubt if the young ladies will be pleased with their intended
companion," observed David.

"Oh, but he will do as a chum for us!" cried Leo. "He is a brave little
chap; I like the spirit he shows, doing his best to bite you."

The young nshiego was at once secured in Chickango's hut, for he
undertook to take charge of the creature and tame it. David, hearing
that the mother was shot, was eager to go and examine her. We
accordingly all set off with some poles on which to convey the body. We
found on measuring it that it was about four feet high. The skin was
black, and many parts of the body were covered with thin blackish hair.
It was a far less powerful animal than the gorilla, though its arms were
rather longer in proportion to its size. One of its characteristics was
its bald head. Its mouth was wider, and the nose less prominent than
that of the gorilla. We found nothing but leaves in its inside, which
were apparently the food on which it lives. Our young doctor was
anxious to secure its skin; and the blacks wished to have its flesh for
eating, but to this even Jack demurred.

"No, no!" exclaimed Jack. "I would as lief almost eat o