Whether Koree or the monster was more frightened we know not. Koree, however, was uninjured, the great beast breaking his fall, for the huge back of the animal reached, when lying down, well up toward the branches on which Koree was sitting. Sosee was, perhaps, the most frightened of all, as one is often most scared at the danger of another; and she gave a scream which the animal hearing, believed, in connection with the thump on his back, to be caused by some other animal that was attacking him.
He started from his sleep and his position at once, and, without looking for the cause of danger, rushed through the forest, while Koree ran up another tree and waited till the brute was at a safe distance. Then both he and Sosee came down, and returned thanks to the great Shoozoo for their deliverance.
CHAPTER XII.
The two lovers had no other adventure until they came the next afternoon to the farther side of the swamp, where the Lali were settled. There they were astonished at the multitude of the Lali, who greatly outnumbered the Ammi, fairly swarming in the trees and in the open country beyond.
It was not deemed safe to venture out of the Swamp in the presence of so many apes, some of whom would doubtless recognize them as belonging to the Ammi; so they determined to hide in the bushes till night, and then reconnoitre.
In the meantime they had abundant opportunity to watch the movements of the Apes, who kept in groups, as if fearing an attack, although an occasional one was seen alone, and some few came even into the Swamp. The two lovers did not fear the approach of single apes, or even of a small group; for, as there were many varieties among the Lali, and not a single kind only, as among the Ammi, the appearance of a new kind raised no suspicion. The Ammi, or Men, moreover, were hardly distinguishable from certain of the Lali, at least by the Apes.
“The chance of finding Orlee among so many,” said Sosee, “is not good; and if we find her we cannot take her from them.”