In African Forest and Jungle

by Paul B. Du Chaillu

After a short walk we saw the branches of a tree moving and being swayed to and fro by the ngina. The tree was loaded with large fruits of the size of oranges. The monster was breaking the branches, and when they had fallen on the ground plucked the fruit.

The jungle was so thick around the tree that we could not see the huge creature. So we lay flat on the ground, and advanced towards the tree, separating the jungle on the right or on the left as we made our way towards the monster.

I was so excited that I could hear my heart beat; then I stopped.

The rustling ceased. We looked round and listened. There was no more noise. All was silent; not even the note of a bird or the pecking of a woodpecker was heard.

I was just concluding that the huge creature had departed, when suddenly we heard on our left three most terrific yells following each other In succession. These yells were followed by roars that filled the forest with their din. I looked in the direction with my rifle ready to fire. Then I saw peeping through the leaves a black fierce face looking at us. It was a horrid sight. The brute's eyes were sunken, while a heavy overhanging ridge was over each. He gave vent to yell after yell, resembling somewhat the barking of an angry dog, but seeming to me a thousand times louder. These were followed by terrific roars, somewhat similar to those of lions, but louder. They reverberated through the forest, from hill to hill, and died away in the distance. The forest was filled with the echo of his horrid voice.

Then his whole body came in sight; he was advancing towards us, walking erect, to kill us. His short legs were scarcely strong enough to support his huge body. All at once he stopped and looked at us. How vindictive his eyes looked! They seemed to say to us: "You will soon be dead."

Then he beat his chest with his huge fist. How long and muscular were his powerful arms! How broad was his chest! His hair stood almost erect on his body, and the hair on his head moved up and down.

But our guns had been pointed at him from the moment we saw him, and just as he was ready to advance we fired in the direction of his heart, and the great monster fell like a human being, face forward, uttering a fearful groan, his limbs stretched out. Then all became silent. He was dead.

His arms extended measured nearly nine feet; around his chest measured nearly seven feet. He was nearly five feet ten inches in height. We skinned him on the spot, and hung his skin and skeleton on a branch of a tree.