Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-20

or The great trees that Skirtpd it.
One day. us the men We're gathered
at little distance, inspecting THE body
of a panther that had fallen to the gun
of one of them who had been hunting
inland, Paulyitch lay sleeping beneath
his tree. He was awakened by the
touch of II hand upon his shoulder.
With Il start he sat up to see a huge
anlhropoid ape squatting at his side.
inspecting him intently.
The Russian was thoroughly fright
ened. He glanced toward the sailors
they were Il couple of hundred yards
away.
Again the ape plucked at his shout
ders, jabberlng plaintively. Paulvitch
saw no menace in the inquiring gaze
or In the attitude Of the beast He got
slowly to his feet, The ape rose at his
Side. "a II
-. Half doubled, the man shutllsd eau
tiously away toward the sailors. The
ape moved with him, taking one of his
arms. They had come almost to the
little knot of men before they were
seen, and by this time Paulvitch had
become assured that the beast meant
him no harm. The animal evidently
was accustomed to the association of
human beings.
Ii occurred to the Russian that the
ape represented considerable and GER
tain money value, and before they
reached the sailors he had decided that
he should be the one to profit by it.
When the men looked up and saw
the oddly paired couple shutlling to-
ward them they were filled with amaze
mcnt and started on Il run toward the
two. The ape showed no sign of fear.
Instead he grasped each sailor by the
shoulder and peered long and earnestly
into his face. Having inspected them
all. he returned to Paulvitch's side, dis.
appointment written strongly upon his
countenance and in his carriage.
The men were delighted with him.
They gathered about, asking Paulvitch
many questions and examining his com,
panion. The Russian told them that
the ape was his. Nothing further would
he offer, but kept harping continually
upon the same theme: THE ape is
mine. The ape is NINE"
firing of Paulvitch, one of the men
essayed Il pleasantly. Circling about
behind the ape, he prodded the anthro.
poid in the back with a pin.
Like II flash the beast wheeled upon
It's tormentor, and in the brief instant
of turning the placid, friendly animal
was metamorphosed to Il frenzied de.
mon of rage.
The broad grin that had sat upon the
sailors face Us he perpetrated his little
joke froze to an expression of terror.
He attempted to dodge the long arms
that reached for him. but failing, drew
long knife that hung at his belt.
The ape tore the weapon from the
mans grasp with single wrench and
flung 1t to one side; then his yellow
fangs were buried in the sailors shoul.
der.
With sticks and knives the mans
companions fell upon the beast, while
Paulvitch danced around the cursng,
snarling pack, mumbllng and scream.
Ing pleas and threats. He saw his vi.
sions Of wealth rapidly dissipating be.
fore the weapons of the sailors.
The ape however, proved no easy
victim to the superior numbers that
seemed futed to overwhelm him. Rls.
ing from the sailor who had preclpi.
tated the battle, he shook his giant
shoulders, freeing himself from two of
the men that were clinging to his back
and with mighty blows Of his open
palms fclled one after another of his
attackers, leapng hither and thither
with the agility of Il small monkey.
The fight had been witnessed by the
captain and mate who We're Just lind.
ing from the Marjorie W., and Paul.
witch saw these two now running for.
ward with drawn reyolvers. while the
two sailors who had brought them
ashore traled at their heels. The ape
stood looking about him ut the havoc
he had wrought, bat whether he was
awaiting Il renewal OF the attack or
was celebrating which of his foes he
should exterminntc first, paulvltch