its usual place, and you find it after a search quite
away from where it ought to be? Has it never struck you that when you
take out your umbrella, the day is certain to become hot and sunny;
while, if you omit to carry it with you, it is sure to rain?"

"From all of which you conclude," said I, "that the Nshiego will not
come home to-night?"

"Exactly so; that is my meaning precisely."

After Peterkin said this, we relapsed into silence; and it was well that
we did so, for had we continued our conversation even in the whispering
tones in which it had up to that time been conducted, we should have
frightened away the ape which now came, as it were, to rebuke Peterkin
for his unbelief.

Coming quickly forward, the Nshiego Mbouve chambered quickly up the tree
where its nest was built. This nest was not a structure _into_ which it
clambered, but a shelter or canopy formed of boughs with their leaves,
somewhat in shape like an umbrella, under which it sat. The
construction of this shelter exhibited a good deal of intelligent
ingenuity on the part of the ape; for it was tied to the tree by means
of wild vines and creepers, and formed a neat, comfortable roof, that
was quite capable of shedding the night dews or heavy rains, and thus
protecting its occupant.

We were greatly amused by the manner in which the creature proceeded to
make itself comfortable. Just below the canopy was a small branch which
jutted out horizontally from the stem of the tree. On this branch the
ape seated itself, its feet and haunches resting thereon. Then it threw
one arm round the tree, and hugging that lovingly to its side, gave what
appeared to me to be a small sigh of satisfaction, and prepared to go to
sleep.

At this Peterkin chuckled audibly. The Nshiego's eyes opened at once.
I cocked my gun and took aim. The desire to procure a specimen was very
strong within me, but an unconquerable aversion to kill an animal in
such cozy circumstances restrained me. The Nshiego got up in alarm. I
pointed the gun, but could not fire. It began to descend. I pulled the
trigger, and, I am happy to add, missed my aim altogether, to the
intense delight of Peterkin, who filled the woods with laughter, while
the Nshiego Mbouve, dropping to the ground, ran shrieking from the spot.

My forbearance at this time was afterwards repaid by my obtaining two
much finer specimens of this shelter-building ape, both of which were
killed by Peterkin.

On