n sufficient to
deprive him of life. Oliver had lifted up his gun with the other hand.
The creature seized the weapon. What was my horror the next moment to
see it rising on its hind legs, and bending forward, fix its teeth into
Oliver's arm, which he had raised to defend his head. Meantime Merlin,
who had been with the rest of the party, came bounding back, and
attacked with his powerful jaws the leg of the mias. The creature for
an instant let go Oliver's arm.

"Fly, Miss Emily! fly!" he cried out. "Never mind me."

"But I do! I do!" exclaimed Emily; "I cannot have you hurt for my
sake."

"Fly! fly!" again cried Oliver.

While this was going on Grace was shrieking loudly, and I shouting out
to our friends to come to Oliver's assistance, while I ran forward to
give him what aid I could. I did not of course stop to consider the
danger I also was in, as the beast would have probably seized us both,
had I got within his grasp. I also cried out to Emily to fly. I saw
that not only her safety depended on her doing so, but that of Oliver,
for he would not move till she was at a distance from the orang-outan.
Meantime the rest of our party were hurrying up to our support. Oliver
sprang back to avoid the creature's hand-like claws, which he stretched
out towards him. Never had I seen anything so ferocious as those
powerful paws and the grinning row of teeth exhibited as he ran forward
to attack us, regardless for the moment of Merlin, who was now in
greater danger than we were. The mias still held the gun in his claws.
While he again advanced towards Oliver, I levelled my fowling-piece and
fired. The ball with which it was loaded, however, although it
certainly passed through the creature's neck, only increased his fury,
without apparently greatly injuring him. Oliver's danger was fearful.
Already the creature was within a couple of yards of him, in spite of
the impediment which Merlin offered. I had no time to load again,
though I attempted to do so as I retreated, shouting at the top of my
voice, and urging Oliver to do the same, in the hope that we might
frighten the huge ape. He, however, was in no way alarmed by our shouts
and cries. He still advanced, holding the musket. Already, if he was
to stretch out one of his long arms, he might again grasp Oliver and
draw him towards him. Oh, what would I not have given for a loaded gun
at that moment! In vain I attempted to load mine while I stepped
backw