My little protege with the wounded leg, still persisted in hugging me with its arms (I think I mentioned that they are longer than those of men in general), and as the poor little brute was immensely heavy, and the Gorillas go at a prodigious pace, a litter was made for us likewise; and my thirst much refreshed by a footman (the same domestic who had given the alarm) running hand over hand up a cocoanut-tree, tearing the rinds off, breaking the shell on his head, and handing me the fresh milk in its cup.My little patient partook of a little, stretching out its dear little unwounded foot, with which, or with its hand, a Gorilla can help itself indiscriminately.Relays of large Gorillas relieved each other at the litters at intervals of twenty minutes, as I calculated by my watch, one of Jones and Bates's, of Boston, Mass., though I have been unable to this day to ascertain how these animals calculate time with such surprising accuracy.We slept for that night under--And now, you see, we arrive at really the most interesting part of my travels in the country which I intended to visit, viz.the manners and habits of the Gorillas chez eux.I give the heads of this narrative only, the full account being suppressed for a reason which shall presently be given.The heads, then, of the chapters, are briefly as follows:--The author's arrival in the Gorilla country.Its geographical position.Lodgings assigned to him up a gum-tree.Constant attachment of the little prince.His royal highness's gratitude.
Anecdotes of his wit, playfulness, and extraordinary precocity.Am offered a portion of poor Larkins for my supper, but decline with horror.Footman brings me a young crocodile: fishy but very palatable.Old crocodiles too tough: ditto rhinoceros.Visit the queen mother--an enormous old Gorilla, quite white.Prescribe for her majesty.Meeting of Gorillas at what appears a parliament amongst them: presided over by old Gorilla in cocoanut-fibre wig.
Their sports.Their customs.A privileged class amongst them.
Extraordinary likeness of Gorillas to people at home, both at Charleston, S.C., my native place; and London, England, which Ihave visited.Flat-nosed Gorillas and blue-nosed Gorillas; their hatred, and wars between them.In a part of the country (its geographical position described) I see several negroes under Gorilla domination.Well treated by their masters.Frog-eating Gorillas across the Salt Lake.Bull-headed Gorillas--their mutual hostility.
Green Island Gorillas.More quarrelsome than the Bull-heads, and howl much louder.I am called to attend one of the princesses.
Evident partiality of H.R.H.for me.Jealousy and rage of large red-headed Gorilla.How shall I escape?
Ay, how indeed? Do you wish to know? Is your curiosity excited?
Well, I DO know how I escaped.I could tell the most extraordinary adventures that happened to me.I could show you resemblances to people at home, that would make them blue with rage and you crack your sides with laughter....And what is the reason I cannot write this paper, having all the facts before me? The reason is, that walking down St.James Street yesterday, I met a friend who says to me, "Roundabout my boy, have you seen your picture? Here it is!" And he pulls out a portrait, executed in photography, of your humble servant, as an immense and most unpleasant-featured baboon, with long hairy hands, and called by the waggish artist "A Literary Gorilla." O horror! And now you see why I can't play off this joke myself, and moralize on the fable, as it has been narrated already DE ME.
