How I Found Livingstone Travels, Adventures And Discoveries In Central Africa Including Four Months Residence With Dr. Livingstone By Sir Henry M. Stanley
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A smooth lawn-like glade;
a dense and awful growth of impenetrable jungle around us; those
stately natural pillars
- A glorious phalanx of royal trees, bearing
at such sublime heights vivid green masses of foliage, through which
no single sun-ray penetrated, while at our feet babbled the primeval
brook, over smooth pebbles, in soft tones befitting the sacred quiet
of the scene! Who could have desecrated this solemn, holy harmony of
nature? But just as I was thinking it impossible that any man could
be tempted to disturb the serene solitude of the place, I saw a
monkey perched high on a branch over my head, contemplating, with
something of an awe-struck look, the strange intruders beneath.
Well, I could not help it, I laughed - laughed loud and long, until
I was hushed by the chaos of cries and strange noises which seemed
to respond to my laughing. A troop of monkeys, hidden in the
leafy depths above, had been rudely awakened, and, startled by
the noise I made, were hurrying away from the scene with a dreadful
clamor of cries and shrieks.
Emerging again into the broad sunlight, I strolled further in
search of something to shoot. Presently, I saw, feeding quietly
in the forest which bounded the valley of the Mtambu on the left,
a huge, reddish-coloured wild boar, armed with most horrid tusks.
Leaving Kalulu crouched down behind a tree, and my solar helmet
behind another close by - that I might more safely stalk the
animal - I advanced towards him some forty yards, and after taking
a deliberate aim, fired at his fore shoulder.
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