Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-05-12


Ofall the members Of The monkey
family The gorilla Is BY far the most III
teresiiDg, and this great interest taken
~ him can be safely attributed TO the
meager information we have in regards
70 bis person and habits Cecilia hui
ing is most dangerous and a,iRcu'z
dertaking, and but few Europey
boast Of having killed one of II
stefs. IN Won CoppenfeIss A.
in EIiva Conf on the Gabd
Africa, killed his first p
enormous size, in Deed
since that time has spent i1e 15af
part Of his time in hunting, and at tlle
same time studying the habits and pecu-
liarities Of these animals. The folow-
ing extract from aletter by Mr.. Kop.ssl
penfels willno doubt be interesting tor
our readers:
The gorillas, who had absented them.
selves from this neighborhood, returned
to the Eliva Cont in small troops, and
soon was notified that large family
were roaming in our neighborhood. II
lmme diately went in search of them,
and after wandering about tor consid-
cradle time near the only plantation onsb
this side Of the Eliya "a lake, was
about TO return TO the negro village
Suigamburi 10 stay overnight, when
suddenly heard banana tree being
broken at the end Of fenced orchard,
and was sure that gorilla was busy
there. Although it was too dark for me
to discern objects sufficiently TO be able
to fire at them, stopped and managed
TO get quite close TO the enclosure, but
before | could get near enough for a
sure shot one Of the ANIMALS gave the
danger signal and came towards me
screeching learfully, whereas the
others clambered over the fence Of
about the height OF a man with great
agility. Is
Although the gorilla approached in
sudden starts advanced looking square,
" at him. ! had poised my double bar
relied rifle through the bushes, when the
gorilla, with evident signs OF great fright.
turned and fed screechIng fearlully.---
In the moment he appeared at the top
| Of &c fence TO jump down on the out
SO Nod, aud the animal fell back
Int6t ptASt&tiop, roaring Internally.
Il lay there for some time and then
turned TO the side, and could have
dispatched il with second bullet. The
heavy ball fred at so short a distance
must have Wounded the animal to such
an extent that il could impoasIbly es-
cape. Upon hearing the shot and The
roaring Of the animals my companions
appeared.
The wounded animal raised itself
slowly without utiering sound, and
crept into the adjoining casseye bushes.
| reireated noiselessly and instructed
my companions TO remain quiet so as
not to disturb the animal. In the mean
time night had overtaken US, and we
returned to the neigbboring settlement,
and before creeping into my mosquito
net gave orders to awaken me early
the next morning. could not sleep
Tor long time. II was broad daylight
when one OF the servants called me-
While dressing myself heard shot
in The neghborhood Of the plantation,
and another Immediately alter il.
rushed in that direction and heard few
more shots.
The negroes attacked The wounded
gorilla Mt early dawn and fairly bonn
barded him. As the numerous wounds
causes the flesh TO rot very rapidly, and
the hide cannot be prepared very well,
the rashness Of my negroes displeased {
me very much. and I did not hesitate
to let them understand this. As meas
pred the body found the skin loosened
at those places not covered with hair,
and upon ripping the skin found water
and air collected, sign that decompo*f
sition had already set in. never nos
ticed anything Of the kind before, and
in future I will kill the wounded ana
mails Immediately by second ball. s.