Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-05-16
HUGE GORILLA FIGHTS
NATIVES TO LAST DITCH

Wheeling round. SAYS Il writer in the
Wide World Magazine. the gorilla
dashed away ut its top speed through
the tall grass. the natives in hot pur-
suit. Like beaters they drove the ami
NAL toward their village. and with loud
shouts endeavored to give the alarm
to those remaining there. The gorilla,
more agile than the hunters. increased
his lead somewhat. but was Obliged to
go straight on, for already the cries of
the natives scattered through the
plantation were heard on all sides. The
great brute leaped towards "a little
path. but was quickly obliged TO aban-
don it, on p%erceiving new enemies COM
ing towards it. Breaking through some
thick bushes. which hindered It's pur-
suers for Il moment. the animal passed
quickly over a small river and climbed
up the opposite bank with great rapid
ity. in spite of it's huge bulk. Though
streaming with perspiratiOn. the blacks
We're none the. less resolute i'm the
chase. for they felt sure OF victory. and
that the destroyer of their crops was at
last to pay for his misdeeds with his
life.
Continuing it's headlong course, the
gorilla descended a slope ana ode
ly appeared at the extremity of the
village. where the huts. built of red
earth. extend in parallel lines along u
slight ridge. at the top of which is the
chiefs dwelling. At the sight of the
hideous monster the women ran
screaming into their nuts. the children
fled after them, uttering loud cries. the
goats and fowls scattered on all sides.
and the dogs barked with rage. In the
midst of this pandemonium of noise the
few men present rushed for their arms
and prepared to do battle with the
common enemy.
The struggle promised to be severe.
for in it's flight the beast had armed
itself with a big branch, torn from q
tree. as thick as II mans arm.
With this club. brandished in his
powerful fist, he held the most auda-
cious at bay. Spears whistled contin-
tiously through the air as the hunters
closed up. but the beast avoided them
to force it's way through those who
barred the path. A bulle struck 1t in
the thigh; it staggered. but did not
drop. Grinding it's teeth in age 1t
struck the nearest native a smashing,
blow on the head with its great club,
cut. and MAS hurriedly picked up and
dragged away by his comrades before
the gorilla could damage hin further.
BY this time there was a circle of
men round the animal-yelling. hurting
spears. and firing their guns-while the
gorilla darted and whirled this waysand
that. striking out furiously with Its
club. The uproar was Understandable.
Suddenly a shot, fired wildly. struc
one Of the hunters in the arm and shat
tered it. He fell with q cry of pain.
and the gorilla, rushing IN upon him.
tore savagely at his back. The man
was in deadly peril when another ma
tive, coming quite close. shot the brute
in the left side. w~hereupon.it released
it's victim and fell. From all sides
there was Il rush to finish it. but in a
last effort it arose. whirling Its club
and champing it's jawss-the incarna-
tion of brute ferocity. AS 1t stood there
"A spear. cleverly aimed, hit it near the
heart. while at the same moment a bull
lei, struck 1t above the left eye. Nor
taIly wounded at last. the monster
drnnnel dead.