roduce the sound. Roar
succeeded roar, and I guessed it must come from one of the big man apes
which I had before encountered. Charley and Harry, upon my telling
them, were both eager to see the creature, and keeping our guns in
readiness we approached the spot whence the fearful sounds proceeded.
The roars were accompanied by a loud drumming noise, followed by a
fierce bark-like yelp, which, as Harry observed, sounded like the
horrible ravings of a madman. Kendo and several of the other blacks
accompanied us, but kept well in our rear, ready to take to flight
should we fail to kill the beast. "There he is," exclaimed Charley,
"let one fire at a time. Dick, you fire first, if you miss I'll have a
shot at him, and if I miss, Tom, you must take the next shot, and you,
Harry, must be in reserve. Remember that our lives will depend upon the
steadiness of your aim."

These arrangements had just been made when the boughs were put aside by
a pair of long arms, and the next instant a huge hairy creature, with a
hideous countenance, appeared in sight, advancing slowly into the open;
I could distinguish its fierce eyes glowing at us, the face black and
wrinkled, and distorted with rage, as it came forward balancing its
monstrous body with its long arms, while at every few seconds it stopped
and beat its breast, at the same time throwing back its head to give
utterance to one of its tremendous roars. We might have been excused
had we really taken it for a forest demon, for nothing which the
imagination of man has pictured could be more calculated to inspire its
beholders with awe.

The natives ceased their chattering and drew back. The creature still
advanced, but every now and then stopped to sit down and roar. One
circumstance, however, showed that its power was limited. Its legs were
short and slight, and unable firmly to sustain its huge body, they
tottered beneath its weight. While it hobbled forward it had a somewhat
ridiculous appearance, which made Tom burst into a loud laugh. This
seemed to increase the creature's rage; unable to spring forward, it sat
down and began to roar and beat its breast. Once more it rose with the
aid of its long arms, and advanced. I waited until it was about ten
yards off, when I fired, half expecting, however, to see the animal when
the smoke cleared off still coming towards us. I was prepared to spring
back to let Charley fire, when throwing up its arms down it came with a
cra