THE AUCTION ROOM I do not think that this conversion about the Pongo savages who were said to worship a Gorilla and a Golden Flower was renewed until we reached my house at Durban.

Thither of course I took Mr.Charles Scroope, and thither also came Brother John who, as bedroom accommodation was lacking, pitched his tent in the garden.
One night we sat on the step smoking; Brother John's only concession to human weakness was that he smoked.

He drank no wine or spirits; he never ate meat unless he was obliged, but I rejoice to say that he smoked cigars, like most Americans, when he could get them.
"John," said I, "I have been thinking over that yarn of yours and have come to one or two conclusions." "What may they be, Allan ?" "The first is that you were a great donkey not to get more out of the Kalubi when you had the chance." "Agreed, Allan, but, amongst other things, I am a doctor and the operation was uppermost in my mind." "The second is that I believe this Kalubi had charge of the gorilla-god, as no doubt you've guessed; also that it was the gorilla which bit off his finger." "Why so ?" "Because I have heard of great monkeys called _sokos_ that live in Central East Africa which are said to bite off men's toes and fingers.

I have heard too that they are very like gorillas." "Now you mention it, so have I, Allan.

Indeed, once I saw a _soko_, though some way off, a huge, brown ape which stood on its hind legs and drummed upon its chest with its fists.