The St. Johns herald., 1896-08-01
GRABBED BY A GORILLA.
An American Travellers Thrilling Experi-
 ence on the East Coast of Africa.

An American Travellers Thrilling Experi-
 ence on the East Coast of Africa.
 A Cincinnatian who has lately return ed from a tour of east and South Africa told reporter of a thrilling encounter he had with a gorilla while in that far off country. Said he:
 "The evening train had arrived at Lou renco Marques, Delagoa Bay, on sched- ule time. But what night it was! The rain came down as if the very heavens were falling, the wind blew terrific gale, and the darkness which overspread the whole scene was such as had never witnessed before. It was, however, Q fitting night to the experience which fol- lowed. Stepping from what the Neither lands Railway company term 8 first class carriage, accosted a heavy set indi- vidual on the platform. Can you tell me, sir, which is the best hotel of this placer asked.
 "'Well, stranger, he remarked, that is hardly fair question to ask me, as l own both the hotels in this place..
 ''I turned over my grip to him and followed a crowd of Africans through that tropical storm. Dinner was served at the International hotel, but my per manent quarters were to be at the Gen. tral, both of these being owned by Jim Carpenter, the person met at the sta- tion. After dinner an employee of the hotel asked me if I was ready to go to the Central. I replied in the affirmative. He went to the door, and above the din of wind and rain could be heard his voice yelling 'SixpenceP
 My belief was that this individual was singing out to some of the natives that a sixpence job was waiting for any of them who would take me to the Gen. tral hotel, but it proved to be the pecul- far name of an east African negro. 'Sixpence' came with 'Yap, boas It seemed as he came that section of that black night was moving bodily toward me. The instruction was to keep close to 'Sixpence
 ''The route was through large gar den. We had hardly entered the garden inclosure when a terrific scream was heard, and at the same time I was struck on the head. In an instant had my revolver out and fired at my un- known assailant. My enemy grappled with me, but before losing my hold of the revolver I managed to fire two more shots. But it was an uneven fight. I ce- ceived another blow on the head, ren- dering me unconscious, When Iregained consciouness, which was three days later. I learned that my firing of the revCSyer had attracted the attention of an American who was known at Della goa Bay as Texas Wilson. He told me that he ran out of his house with his gun and lantern, and had hardly gone 200 yards when he came across huge gorilla carrying me on his back. The gorilla scoWled at him, but he was de- termined to try to rescue me from that brute After taking a careful aim he managed to shoot the animal without hitting me, and killed him. Then he brought me to the hotel, where I after ward was informed that big gorilla had been sent to Jim Carpenter about three days previous He had been tied to tree ill the garden, but somehow must have broken his chain and was waiting for the first comer It was Car penter's intention to send the gorilla to the Manchester geological gardens as a present.
 ''This was my first visit in December, 1894, to the sleepy, dirty and sickly town of Delagoa Bay, on the east coast of Africa "-Cincinnati Enquirer.