The state herald., 1890-01-10
HUNTING GORILI.As.
An Exciting Hunting Adventure with
Natives in Central Africa.
A Days Sport In tho Juugls-Ths Mammoth
Monkey Fought Until the Top Of Its Head
Was Blown on-Killod In tho Nick Of

In my trading expeditions into Gen.
sral Africa had ut different times
many native servants. md through
them l had opportunities to 500 tho
natives hunt according to the time
honored methods OF the tribes.
One ofmy men was named Oshupu.
tie was Fan, II fine specimen OF hui
manity. and, like most OF his race, re-
markably intelligent. In fact, he was
cannibal gentleman that is to say,
although he, like the rest OF his tribe,
had liking for human flesh. he never
intruded that horrible craving upon
my notice by word or decd, and from
his appearance and actions should
never have imagined that it existed.
lie was forever wishing that we hud
reached his country, and he would
talk TO me by the hour Of elephant and
gorilla hunts, until | longed to get
away with him to join hunting party
OF his people. Accordingly when we
neared the Gaboon River It did not
need much persuasion to induce me to
outspan the team for two weeks, ind
go with Oshnpu to his village.
We entered tho village from the
side. and were in the street before our
coming was perceived. As pulled by
single string. every native nrose,
and, quietly forming II ring round mo.
tho population gravely inspected me.
When IT was known that had come
to hunt tho gorilla, their joy WAS un-
bounded. for, strange as It may seem,
these warliko people. like those OF
many other tribes, are much afraid OF
this animal.
After resting for two days, our hunt
Ing party was formed. and we jour
neyed n long days march TO the home
OF the gorilla. What journey it was,
and how wildly remember ii! There
were about thirty Of us, the natives all
armed with spears about seven feet in
length, terminating in an iron head,
with large barbs at either side.
1 am an old stalker, yet my skill was
sorely tried In that labyrinth. In which
dead branches lay thickly about under
foot After time the undergrowth
became less dense, and Oshupu whis-
pered TO me that this circumstance in-
dicated the presence OF water. and that
the animals coming in all directions
kept the underground more or less
trodden down.
Suddenly my guido stopped short,
and holding up his finger. crooked it
over his head, pointing to the left.
turned my head in the direction indi-
Gated. and at n distance OF about three
hundred feet away saw an immense
ape slowly moving through the trees
on all fours, swinging to and fro in II
manner not unlikc tho plantigradc
movement OF a grizzly.
Oshupu reached his hand behind ms
signal for me TO move up to him, and
when l had done so. he said, Tho
gorilla has fed. and is lazy. II he
sees us, he will run, and we shall
never catch up with him In this tanglc.
We must rest here. and he will drum
Tor his mate and slccp Then we shall
catch him"
After II time, at n given signal. the
natives spread themselves out, and
making long detour, surrounded the
spot where it was believed the gorilla
had stopped to rest They wcrc not
mistaken, for on the edge OF small
glade tho big brute sat fast asleep,
with his back against tree.
1t was depuied 10 young chief 10
open the encounter. and after n pause
he emerged from cover us near as he
could get 10 the gorilla. He poised
his spear In his hand In readiness 10
throw 1t. and, step by step. approached
until he was within thirty feet OF the
gorilla, when suddenly the animal
rolled his head from ono side TO the
other.
The apo was thoroughly aroused.
and leaning forward raised itself into
an awkward. partly erect altitude. II
the young chief hal lain still, all
would have been well; but he was
dcsirous OF showing OF before me, anl
accordingly rose TO his feet dashed
his spear ut the bruta and mnde for
the cover OF the thicket The spear
went through the arm OF the gorilla,
which instantly tore the weapon out
bodily. savagely bit the wounl. and
dashed on all fours after his assailant
with terrible scream OF rage.
All the Fans on the opposite OF the
clearing now boldly dashed In, throw
Ing their spears, or, Us they got close
enough 10 him, thrusting them into thu
brutcs body. Wounds inflicted with
such weapons could not prove immed
ately fatal, and could only kill tho
creature by causing loss OF blood, rs
tho vital power OF tho gorilla il SO
great that oven n rifle ball seldom AZ
rests at once his headong course.
IL II had not been for the danger.
this spectacle OF tho contest between
the Fans and the apo would have been
amusing, as the men threw spears,
and crouchcd or dodgcd. and the ape
backed slowly away from them, max
Ing horrible grlmanccs aud gradually
working himself mp into u blind fury.
This state OF affairs did not last moro
than II minute, and then the ape was
at the edge OF the clearing, about for
ty feet from where | stood. Hero nn-
other vollcy Of spears met him, aud
after standing amazed for u second, he
rushed hcadlong mt the first nssailnnt,
seized him by tho leg, and before n
hand could be raised. he swung him
around his bcnd, bringing tho poor
fellows skull In contact with tree
trunk and cracked Il like nut
II was n terrible sight but IL wns
done before had the power to prevent
II. / raised my rlIlo, md quick as
thought sent two bullets ploughing
through tho apes hcnd. tearing the
top OF tho skull elem on, lilo rcelod
and fell. rose agnin. clcnchcd Mt the
mass OF vines. and rolled over. still
convulsivcly twitching md tearing u,
the underground, while Oshupu got
his foot clear. and coming to me plnc.
cd my hand ON his head In token that
his He bcncefor,h belonged To me.
There tho brute lay. n strange
sight md one OF which tho stuffed
gorilla skins OF tho natural history
collections can give but falnt idea.
Tho face was bidcous the breadth OF
chest was grand. tho arms aud hands
wcro massive but the hugo trunk
dwindlcd Into n pair Of legs, thin, bcnt
and dccrcpit ms those OF nn old woman.
wished 10 preserve tho skin, but
before ] could prevent their action,