The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-31
THE GORILLA'S COURTSHIP.
BATTLE BETWEEN GIANT APES IN AN
AFRICAN FOREST

Foes Were Fighting Tor n Mate and the
Muscles of tho Younger Proved Too
Much for the Experience of the Older.
After the adjustment Of our little unpleasant
ness with the South" said Capt Jack Benton, Il
drfted back into civil life II seemed monotonou.,
however, after the excitement Of campaigning
and. receiving an offer 10 go TO Africa and collec,
animals for menageries, jumped att. My work
took me into the interior Of upper Guinea. which
was then about as wild a country as there was in
the world.
zone morning left camp TO make a circuit Of
some traps we had set in the night, and as WASN'T
on the lookout for big game I took only light
rife with me. Trudging through the woods I
came on a little clearing. and there. not Atty feet
away. saw big male gorilla lie was on all
fours. half .squatting on the ground.
Equipped with only ligh, rifle, had no ambl-
ton TO NEEDLE with the beast. slipped back into
the undorbrush, and was about to make off ~
quietly az possible when the popularity Of the
gorilla's actions attracted me. He seemed 10 bs
trying to look aminble as was possible for such
a monster and a second glance showed me the
reason for this. Al the right Of the clearing WAS
a second gorilla, smaller. but equally fcrocious-
looking, fitting mate for the first big bruta
had evidently discovered gorilla courtship.
The male gorilla, trying TO attract the attention
Of the female by uncouth motions, was beginning
TO advance clumsily toward her. when suddenly
dull boom! boom sounded from far away in the
forest. Up u that instant the male gorilla, while
savage looking, had given no sign Of being angry,
but now all was changed. His huge Jaws shut
together with a snap. Then through the silence
which had fallen the Jungle when the rs, sullen
challenge was heard came a sharp bark. followed
by deep humming sound II was the terrible
battle call OF full grown gorilla the cry sent QUE
when he Is about To fight 10 the death for msts
A al he haiF
giant beat with his big hands on his Ghost. while
at the other end Of the clearing. waiting 10 bestow
her hand the victor sat the female gorilla whose
charms had inspired such Jealous rage
Suddenly there was a little furry at the left
end Of the clearing, and the challenger broke
through the bushes into plain sight. He was
worthy To do battle with the first giant could
see he was veteran. with the scars OF many
battles on him. His big lips were rolled UP in
a grim snarl, showing broken teeth and great
gaps. the result Of former battles. Both eorillas
were taller than the average man as they stood
on their hind feet for battle. but their enormous
breadth Of chest and shoulders made them look
like squntung, hairy giants In fighting ability
both seemed equal, for while the second. older
gorilla had evidently been in more battles yet
the one had irst seen in the jungle had an adj
vantage in strength and youth.
Neither Of the big animals wasted time in pre-
lmlHdtcs' tncy nhd WORKED themselves into
such an insanity Of rage that only killing would
satisfy. Each advanced on his hind legs until
within six feet Of the other. Then the younger
gorilla began To fight Stepping forward with
marvellous quickness for such an ung ainly AMI
nal. he struck a fnlke blow with his huge
paws. Had the blow gone home. no mere flesh
aud blood no, even the big -boned frame Of his
antagonist could have withstood IL. But tho
old gorilla had been in too many death grnpples
Ia be caught M early in the fight Even as tho
big arm swung around he sprang forward coming
In close IL miss the full force Of the swing.
The next instant he had swung his own arm
around the younger gorillas neck. encircling
II with four feet Of steel muscles aud holding his
encmy's head stiff upright ~ tina, ne could not
bring the terrible teeth into play. Then the old
gorilla opened his heavy Jaws. and getting q
firm grip OH the right shoulder Of the younger
gorilla, held on like bulldog, tearing his way
through the kno,ted muscle and sinews and
shoulder blade Of his opponent. Atthc same time
the left arm Of the old fighter wrapped itself aboui
the Younger gorilla IN n rib breaking grip
twas only for an instant however, that things
looked so desperate for the younger fighter. The
hrst gorillas splendid fighting ability and ire
ing up his left arm he fastened his long fingers
about ms nn'ngonists throat and tried 10 break
hs grip and n, shove his head bsck ~ FIRST tho
hisgrpon the others shoulder Then the young
.I gnrilla pu, forth all his strength, could see
themselves into big knots and bunch up as II
they would break through the skin, The muir
We're level with the chec kbones Alast desperate
effort and the big head wen, back. the tightly
sinews as they were showed away. but NOT un.
gripped Then the old fighter rs right arm slowly
,rhc, younger gorilla had broken the death grip.
Both big fighters were momcntarily Tree ana
stepped back 10 regain breath
mat made the attack. This time he did not waste
any efforts on blows with his huge paws When
distance the younger Of the fighters made a rush.
lie received blow on the head that would have
him Then both his long arms wrapped Them.
selves about his opponents neck and holding
ms ms, ap,agonls, tightly clasped. he began biting
WIN herce energy not a steady gripping bite,
but furious, tearing gnashngs, which ripped
chest
Ih" older gorilla was taken by surprise al this
sudden rush and change Of tactics by his opponent
fighter to be easily dsmay"d First he secured T
svs sp muscle "n h.S ,, 3pP"n'ns threat end ;rnnpE
infuiiatcd grasp of the younger beast. Tie Nigh,
asensily have broken steel ga bic as the sra ngng
aoiu ni ms enraged Opponent, Then the o,ccr
and placing both his big human like raws on The
y"gngcr's face tried 10 force his head back
>, MS brought out terrific trial II strength.
The old gorilla could force the others head back
ne would b. fire.. and might perhaps break his
70 know this and put forth all {" ns sia strength
bnck' shoulders, arms aud neck were called into
play NC navy muscles ripping NJ and gathering
into big knots. The snarllng grows, which had
marked nc beginning 81 tue night had died away.
Each animal was silent \ stiffness seemed
" nave ial"n on the whole Jungle and tho crack
ing oi the Wigs aud dry leaves seemed mnnaturay
loud MS ihe two gigantic fighters came 10 the SUI
prcme struggle
For what was probably half a minute but
seemed an hour. the two semi human shapes
$1,000 tncrc putting futth every energy. Al last
me younger lighters face was within two inches
oi MS opponents head he younger gorilla
made supreme effort. twisted his head suddenly
ana before MS opponent could dodge mad fastened
ms teeth IN death grip on the throat Of the vet.
rran fighter.
~ ne veteran was borne backward, CARVING
ms ioc down with him. Unless hc could loosen
We Rnp on ms thOat hc was doomed and the old
nghur knew H. over and over on the ground
me two huge apes rolled, fighting desperately,
nut without sound save for the shrill kissing
81 thtir brcaihs us IL was forced from their henv
ing chests II" veteran of many a hard fought
Jungle ba'llc knew his own end had come
. p 10 this time the battle had Keen fought
III silence hut MS the old gorilla gave IN The c1n.