a good supply of
biscuits, which we had brought, with tea as our beverage.

"This is just such a pic-nic as we had in our last holidays," said
Bella, looking round with a smiling countenance. "You remember, Leo, it
was by the side of a stream; and you went and caught some fish, and we
had them cooked before the fire."

"Oh yes; and I will try and get some fish now," said Leo. "Natty, you
will come and fish with me as soon as supper is over."

To this, of course, Natty agreed; and Jack produced a ball of twine,
while I fortunately had some fish-hooks in my pocket, which I brought
from the wreck. While we were laughing and talking, suddenly a loud
roar reached our ears, which made Kate start and little Bella turn pale,
while a loud hollow sound, as if a drum had been beaten, followed the
roar. Leo declared it was more like distant thunder. Our blacks
started to their feet, many of them with looks of terror, uttering the
word--Ngula. Stanley seized his gun. "That must be a gorilla!" he
exclaimed, examining the lock.

"I hope so," cried David. "It would be worth coming here to see the
monster."

"No doubt about its being a gorilla," said Senhor Silva, "but you must
be cautious how you approach him. Chickango says he will go with you.
He is a good hunter; and, I judge by his looks, a brave fellow."

The ugly black nodded his head, and pointing to the forest, advanced
towards it. David and I also took our guns.

"Now be steady," said Stanley. "I will fire first, and if I fail to
kill him, David, do you fire; and, Senhor Silva, tell our black friend
that he must make the third shot; and Andrew, you must act as a reserve
in case of accidents,--but I hope not to miss him."

Stanley and David kept together, while the black and I advanced a little
on one side. Turning my head for an instant, I saw Leo and Natty
following us. I signed to them to go back, but they seemed resolved to
take a share in the expected fight. Each was armed with a long pike,
which I knew would have been of about as much use as a tooth-pick should
they be attacked by the creature. We made our way between large
boulders to the edge of the forest, which seemed almost too thick to be
penetrated. I had never felt so excited. My sensations were something
like those, I fancy, of a soldier going into his first battle; but from
what I had heard of the gorilla, I knew him to be almost as formidable
an antagonist as the best armed man. For s