the onset. But I was not aware of
the severity of the test to which I was destined to be subjected.
Instead of coming quickly on and deciding my fate at once, the savage
animal advanced slowly, sometimes a step or two at a time, and then
pausing for a moment ere it again advanced. Sometimes it even sat down
on its haunches for a second or two, as if the weight of its overgrown
body were too much for its hind legs; but it did not cease all that time
to beat its chest, and roar, and twist its features into the most
indescribable contortions. I suppose it took nearly five minutes to
advance to within twelve yards of me, but those five minutes seemed to
me an hour. I cannot describe the mental agony I endured.

When within ten yards of me I could restrain myself no longer. I raised
my rifle, aimed at its chest, and fired. With a terrible roar it
advanced. Again I fired, but without effect, for the gorilla rushed
upon me. In despair, I drew my hunting-knife and launched it full at
the brute's chest with all my might. I saw the glittering blade enter
it as the enormous paw was raised to beat me down. I threw up my rifle
to ward off the fatal blow, and at the same moment sprang to one side,
in the hope of evading it. The stock of the rifle was shattered to
pieces in an instant, and the blow, which would otherwise have fallen
full on my head or chest, was diverted slightly, and took effect on my
shoulder, the blade of which was smashed as I was hurled with stunning
violence to the ground. For one moment I felt as if I were falling
headlong down a precipice; the next, I became unconscious.

On recovering, I found myself lying on my back at the bottom of what
appeared to be a large pit. I must have lain there for a considerable
time, for I felt cold and stiff; and when I attempted to move, my
wounded shoulder caused me unutterable anguish. I knew, however, that I
must certainly perish if I did not exert myself; so with much difficulty
I crept out of the pit. The first object that met my eyes, on rising to
my feet, was the carcass of my late antagonist; which, on examination, I
found, though badly wounded by both bullets, had eventually been killed
by the knife. It must have died almost immediately after giving me the
blow that had hurled me into the pit. I had not observed this pit,
owing to the screen of bushes that surrounded it, but I have now no
doubt that it was the means of saving my life.

My recollecti