"By Jove, a gorilla!" cried Compton, from the rear.

The great head was thrust forward, with its low black forehead and
blacker muzzle; then they saw the whites of the eyelids as the
fierce creature swiftly raised and lowered its brows; then the gleam
of the great tusks as the mouth opened to emit a tremendous roar.
The branches cracked under its grip as it shook them again before
disappearing. Mr. Hume unslung his rifle and planted himself firmly,
for, from the sound, it seemed as if the great ape were coming
straight for them. But the noise of its progress ceased, and, after
a long wait, the march was resumed. They kept a very keen outlook,
and at times stopped to listen, but apparently the gorilla had
vanished. Yet many were the startled looks whenever the least sound
broke on their ears, for the face of the great ape, suddenly thrust
into view, was a terrifying object.

"Halloa!" said Venning, pulling up, "the path seems to end here.
See, the branch is broken off; and there is no swing-bridge. Yet the
track did go straight on, for you can see the old marks across
there."

"Wow!" said Muata, as his dark eyes swiftly took in the details.

"If I climbed up that branch, I think I could get into the other
tree, and you could then use the rope."

"What is it now?" asked Mr. Hume.

"They have cut the track," said the chief; "and it is as I thought,
they have gone down from this tree to the ground, maybe to climb up
further on."

"Why?"

"Maybe a man has fallen to the ground here--who can say; or the
stinging ants have made a home. That tree beyond is taboo to the
little people, and we also will go down here."

"What's the good?" said Venning, beginning to climb up.

"No, no," said Mr. Hume. "We must leave this to the chief;" and he
turned to descend.

Venning, however, was standing well placed for a swing, and he let
himself go, reaching out with his left hand for another hold, and
gaining the other side easily. Compton, of course, followed, and the
two stood examining the tree for sign of the path. The track
certainly had gone through that tree, but there were no signs of
recent passage, and moss had grown over the branches. They called
down that they were going on, and, passing across several trees,
found themselves once more cut off from the next tree, on which the
well-beaten track once again ran on.

"Here's the place," they shouted, to guide the others; then looked
about to see how they were to cro