Part 34 (1/2)
”There is the ive way to the silent hunter”
”What! Is the gorilla afraid of the python?”
”Between the ape and the serpent there is alar See where you place your foot then, for you travel the o hand and foot like ht branchwent on with renewed caution, studying the branches above and below, for, lover as he was of all nance to the serpent-kind But the trees were innocent of guile, and presently some other object claiorilla, who thrust his black head above a tree-top a little way off, and violently shook the branches At the noise every one stopped and peered out
”Look!” he shouted
”By Jove, a gorilla!” cried Coreat head was thrust forward, with its low black forehead and blacker muzzle; then they saw the whites of the eyelids as the fierce creature swiftly raised and lowered its brows; then the gleareat tusks as the mouth opened to erip as it shook the his rifle and planted hireat ape were coress ceased, and, after a long wait, the march was resumed They kept a very keen outlook, and at tiorilla had vanished Yet many were the startled looks whenever the least sound broke on their ears, for the face of the great ape, suddenly thrust into vieas a terrifying object
”Halloa!” said Venning, pulling up, ”the path seems to end here
See, the branch is broken off; and there is no swing-bridge Yet the track did go straight on, for you can see the old marks across there”
”Wow!” said Muata, as his dark eyes swiftly took in the details
”If I cliet into the other tree, and you could then use the rope”
”What is it now?” asked Mr Hume
”They have cut the track,” said the chief; ”and it is as I thought, they have gone down froround, maybe to climb up further on”
”Why?”
”Maybe a ing ants have made a home That tree beyond is taboo to the little people, and we also will go down here”
”What's the good?” said Venning, beginning to climb up
”No, no,” said Mr Hume ”We must leave this to the chief;” and he turned to descend
Venning, however, was standing well placed for a swing, and he let hi out with his left hand for another hold, and gaining the other side easily Co the tree for sign of the path The track certainly had gone through that tree, but there were no signs of recent passage, and rown over the branches They called down that they were going on, and, passing across several trees, found themselves once more cut off froain ran on
”Here's the place,” they shouted, to guide the others; then looked about to see how they were to cross
”We'll have to shi+n down,” said Co sat down astride a branch with his back to the trunk
”May as well rest awhile till they co branch underneath,” said Coh that had attracted his attention ”It's covered all over with little squares of velvet uns by the rope, then we can swar, who had seen toothe rope round the two rifles, he lowered the the rope follow