eep. Next they dig perpendicularly down for
about four inches, the last hollow made serving as their nest. They
line it softly, and the female, laying her eggs, is able to hatch them
without much risk of an attack from birds of prey.

"I suppose monkeys do not eat birds," observed Leo; "or I suspect our
little friend would very soon be pulled out of its nest."

"Just as you have done, Leo," observed Stanley; "and probably the poor
little bird took you for a chimpanzee, or perhaps even for a gorilla."

"But neither chimpanzees nor gorillas eat animal food," observed David.
"They live upon roots, fruits, and leaves; and do not amuse themselves
by bird-nesting."

I need not mention the other birds we shot, but, pretty well loaded, we
returned with our prizes to the camp. Breakfast over, we packed up and
proceeded on our journey, leaving our huts for the occupation of the
next comers.

CHAPTER FIVE.

THE DOMAINS OF THE GORILLA.

We travelled on for two days, and still the mountains were not reached;
but they grew higher and clearer as we advanced, and we had hopes of
getting to them at last. My young cousins bore the journey wonderfully
well. When we came to difficult places, her brothers and I helped Kate
along, making a seat for her with our joined hands. We could thus make
but slow progress, and she entreated us to allow her to walk, declaring
that she was not at all fatigued; while Timbo or Jack carried Bella on
their back, and with long sticks in their hands trudged on merrily. We
caught sight of several wild animals. On two or three occasions
buffaloes crossed our path, but at too great a distance for a shot. We
killed, however, a wild boar, which afforded a fine meal for our party.
Natty and I were a little in advance, when we came to a large village of
white ants, such as I have before described. We were examining them,
when I saw a troop of gazelles come bounding across the prairie towards
us. The wind blew from them to us, and as we were behind the hill, they
did not observe us. Our larder at the time was ill-supplied, and so I
was anxious to kill one. I rested my gun on one of the turrets of the
hill. I was not much of a shot, but I was improving. The herd came by
within thirty yards of us. Just then the leader caught sight of the
rest of the party, who were coming up. I saw that I must now fire, or
lose my chance. I took aim at the nearest--a doe, with her young one by
her side. Th