До Адама

           Thelittlenoisesdieddowninmythroat,andIsatasonepetrified.Thesounddrewcloser.Itwaslikethegruntofapig.ThenIbegantohearthesoundscausedbythemovingofabodythroughthebrush.NextIsawthefernsagitatedbythepassageofthebody.Thenthefernsparted,andIsawgleamingeyes,alongsnout,andwhitetusks.

           Itwasawildboar.Hepeeredatmecuriously.Hegruntedonceortwiceandshiftedhisweightfromoneforelegtotheother,atthesametimemovinghisheadfromsidetosideandswayingtheferns.StillIsatasonepetrified,myeyesunblinkingasIstaredathim,feareatingatmyheart.

           Itseemedthatthismovelessnessandsilenceonmypartwaswhatwasexpectedofme.Iwasnottocryoutinthefaceoffear.Itwasadictateofinstinct.AndsoIsatthereandwaitedforIknewnotwhat.Theboarthrustthefernsasideandsteppedintotheopen.Thecuriositywentoutofhiseyes,andtheygleamedcruelly.Hetossedhisheadatmethreateninglyandadvancedastep.Thishedidagain,andyetagain.

           ThenIscreamed...orshrieked—Icannotdescribeit,butitwasashrillandterriblecry.Anditseemsthatit,too,atthisstageoftheproceedings,wasthethingexpectedofme.Fromnotfarawaycameanansweringcry.Mysoundsseemedmomentarilytodisconcerttheboar,andwhilehehaltedandshiftedhisweightwithindecision,anapparitionburstuponus.

           Shewaslikealargeorangutan,mymother,orlikeachimpanzee,andyet,insharpanddefiniteways,quitedifferent.Shewasheavierofbuildthanthey,andhadlesshair.