ence,
for there was something in his countenance which showed me that he might
be apt to do so, as is often the case with persons who have been
accustomed to have their own way.

We were still carrying on this somewhat unintelligible conversation,
when loud shouts were heard, and the king and I going to the door of the
hut saw the young men who had been sent to bring in the dead ape, four
carrying the skin, with the head stuck on a pole, and the arms stretched
out, and the rest bearing the body, cut up into portions. From the way
the king licked his lips, I suspected that he intended to enjoy a feast
on the flesh of the beast. I should as soon thought of eating a human
being, so human did it look in many respects. They halted before us,
and asked what they were to do with it. I, in reply, merely claimed the
skin, at which they appeared well satisfied, and marched off with the
remainder to the king's house at the other side of the square. I hoped,
by hanging up the skin, we might be able to clean it, and preserve it
sufficiently to carry it with us to the coast, for I was sure that
otherwise no one would believe that so enormous an ape existed. I
managed to make the king understand what I wanted, and he, with several
other persons whom he summoned, assisted me in hanging it up to a branch
of a tree, my intention being to light a fire under it, and try to cure
it by smoking. I was thus employed when I heard several shots. The
king and his attendants rushed out to the front of the house, and I
followed. They were evidently in a state of agitation, wondering what
the shots could mean. Presently we heard shouts. In a short time a
number of persons appeared at the further end of the town. As they drew
near, to my great joy I recognised Charley and Harry with Tom Tubbs and
Aboh, accompanied by Prince Ombay. On seeing me they all hurried
forward, eager to know how I had been separated from them and found my
way to the village. While I briefly narrated my adventures, Prince
Ombay learned how I had rescued his sister. He now came forward and
embraced me, telling me that I was his brother, that we should never
part.

Calling Aboh, I begged him to say everything civil he could think of;
but, at the same time, not to commit me by making any promises on my
part. The king in his generosity would have appropriated a house to
each of us, but we begged that we might be allowed to live together in
the one he had fixed on