ON THE GORILLA TRAIL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1923, Page 1

ON THE GORILLA TRAIL

A -tory is told oi an Amciican tourist in Africa who was invited by the local .sportsmen to ‘•come ami liml some lions/' and promptly replied: '‘But 1 haven't lost any lions." This individual, however, was less elites prising than the majority of his countrymen. Some of the most successful expeditious after lug game have been American, and few have had more to show for their labours than the Ahoiey-Biadlcy expedition of 10‘_’1. whose fortunes .Mrs Mary 11. Bradley lias described in “On the (on ilia Trail." Mr Carl K. A holey is an ofiicei of the great 1-add Museum, Chicago, tie had frei|i!eiiily collected for that institution in Africa. o*i this occasion his object was particularly to study the gitiiila. an aniinal in legatd to v.lti-h scientdic huoalcdge was scarcely advanced since Due Chattier wrote his blocil-rm dling accounts ol his adventures on the West Coast

in 18i8. Until Mr Akclcy returned there tins not in any museum of the w’-otld a :gorilla, mounted b.v a marl who had ever seen a-w ild gorilla. Air Akeley however, thought that the rumours of its unreasoning ferocity were exaggerated. Of course it would he violent if provoked. But lie believed that if approached in a friendly spirit it would prove quite amiable. Alts Bradley was r-uher dubious on that point. but agreed that the gorilla would |.rn':::hly meet the seeker after information Itn 11'-

The party consisted of Mr Akeley. Alt Bradley, a number of holies and Airs Bradley's 5-year-ohl daughter. Hie latter, however, were not expected Io join! in the overtures to the gorilla. They travelled out to Capetown in the same boat its General Smuts, ami on the journey ninth to Belgian Congo, their destination, saw the A’ictoria Falls of tho Zambesi which, as Airs Bradlev admits, entirely eclipse Niagara The author .specks very warmly of the. hospitality and kindness which were extended to them cvcrvw he:e by tlitBelgian ollicials. Titov travelled lir.-t. by train, then by hunt, and finalls- on foot, though they found tho nit live trifles quite, good for cycling. All's Bradley was fascinated by the teeming life of the jungle. Every day In-ought smile fresh experience. Thus she imiile the acquaintance of the iTi vailed Safari ..nfs. the travelling scavengers if Africa, which cross tho continent in endless streams, consuming everything living or dead that they encounter. They move in a seething column about: four inches wide and one mu-Ii advancing column took seven days to pass a given point! There is something leirifviiig about- tlieir silent, re* lent less pTogros-. They never turn a.-ide; they ignore everything a few inches away front the column. One can step over it and he quite safe. But woe betide anything that happens Io lie ill their path.

Tim party -as primarily in que-t of ga-illa, bai hail permit’ which allowed tb.mi to sheet Other animals as well. Thev hugged i me fine Ii bti!fa!oe<. and elephants, and Airs ILadley adds her i entrihution to the wnTi-dehetc I quostinn of which is the occ-t d.ogo:rin beast it'. Afrit a to hurt. The genecl opinion -cents to he that it is the !•:• ifit-ti! ti‘lv when wounded. In due inurse they 'cached the haunts of the gorillas in t ! ■ virtually unexplored mountain i 'entry scut!'.-west ol Lake Albert Ediv.'ril. The quarry, however, proved rather elusive, and. although

| they pot several specimens and numerous pictures. .Mr Akeley was unable to conclusively establish the benign disposition of the poiillas. Here, too, they i>:et the authentic pigmies, curious liUie folk, about 3 feet eight inches high. A ut! they had (.lie distinction of spending a night in the crater of Nyamlagira, which volcano they were the first human beings to see in eruption. They tlien crossed the border into fV.uuia, and after a sojourn In Nairobi, returned home, via Mombasxu, after a journey which provided Mis Bradley with material for a nio-t interesting book.