of what happened long
ago. It is the things of long ago that we remember best, because they
were so strange that they clung on the mind, and would not altogether be
forgotten. If there is aught unpleasing in them, it is not our fault,
for we but repeat the words that entered into our ears."

"That will do, Baruti; go on with your story; and you, Baraka, let your
tongue sleep," cried Zaidi.

"I but asked a question. Ho! how impatient you fellows are!"

"Nay, this is but chatter--we shall never hear the story at this rate.
Hyah! Barikallah! [Hurry on, in God's name!] Baruti."

Well (began Baruti), this tribe dwelt on the banks of the Black River
just above Basoko town, and at that time of the far past the thick
forest round about them was haunted by many monstrous animals; big apes,
chimpanzees, gorillas and such creatures, which are not often seen
nowadays. Not far from the village, in a darksome spot where the
branches met overhead and formed a thick screen, and the lower wood
hedged it closely round about so that a tortoise could scarcely
penetrate it, there lived the Father of the Gorillas. He had housed
himself in the fork of one of the tallest trees, and many men had seen
the nest as they passed by, but none as yet had seen the owner.

But one day a fisherman in search of rattans to make his nets, wandered
far into the woods, and in trying to recover the direction home struck
the Black River high up. As he stood wondering whether this was the
black stream that flowed past his village, he saw, a little to the right
of him, an immense gorilla, who on account of the long dark fur on his
chest appeared to be bigger than he really was. A cold sweat caused by
his great fear began to come out of the man, and his knees trembled so
that he could hardly stand, but when he perceived that the gorilla did
not move, but continued eating his bananas, he became comforted a
little, and his senses came back. He turned his head around, in order
to see the clearest way for a run; but as he was about to start, he saw
that the gorilla's eyes were fixed on him. Then the gorilla broke out
into speech and said:

"Come to me, and let me look at thee."

The fisherman's fear came back to him, but he did as he was told, and
when he thought he was near enough, he stood still.

Then the gorilla said:

"If thou art kin to me, thou art safe from harm; if not, thou canst not
pass. How many fingers hast thou?" he asked.

"Fou