e me no could hit, s'pose, massa."

"Very justly and modestly said," remarked Peterkin, with an approving
nod. "'Tis a pity that men are not more generally animated with your
spirit, Mak. Most people, when they do wrong or make a mistake, are too
apt to try to excuse themselves."

"Yes," I added, with a laugh; "particularly when they blow the tails out
of ostriches."

Peterkin shook his head, and said solemnly, "Ralph, my boy, don't take
to joking. It don't agree with your constitution. You'll get ill if
you do; and we can't afford to have you laid up on our hands in these
out-o'-the-way regions."

"Come, now, let us back to the gorillas and secure them, lest their
comrades carry them away," said Jack, turning to retrace our steps.

I was anxious to shoot as many gorillas as possible, in order that I
might study the peculiarities of, and differences existing between, the
different species--if there should be such--and between various
individuals of the same species in all stages of development. I had
made an elaborate examination of our first gorilla, and had taken
copious notes in regard to it. Being desirous of doing the same as far
as possible with the female and the two young ones we had just killed, I
hastened back with my companions, and we fastened them securely among
the branches of a conspicuous tree, intending to send out some of our
men for them on our return to camp.

After this we resumed our search for more, but wandered about for
several hours without meeting with any, although we observed
recently-made footprints in abundance. We went as nearly as possible in
a direction parallel to our camp, so that although we walked far we did
not increase our distance from it to any great extent.

Presently Makarooroo made a peculiar "cluck" with his tongue, and we all
came to an abrupt stand.

"What is't, Mak?"

The negro did not speak, but pointed eagerly in front of him, while the
whites of his eyes seemed to sparkle with animation, and raised his gun
to shoot.

We came up at the moment, and through an opening in the bushes saw what
he was about to fire at. It was a female gorilla, with a baby gorilla
in her arms. Fierce and hairy though she was, there was a certain air
of tenderness about this mother, as she stroked and pawed her little
one, that went straight to my heart, and caused me almost involuntarily
to raise my arm and strike up the muzzle of Makarooroo's gun, at the
moment he pulled