This trended off in a nearly horizontal direction, at its end interlocking with a limb of the neighbouring tree, which stretched out as if to shake hands with it.
A distance of more than fifty feet lay between the two trunks, but their branches met in close embrace.
The purpose of the ape was apparent.

It designed passing from one to the other, and thence into the depths of the forest.
The design was quickly followed by its execution.

As the spectators rushed to the side by which the gorilla was retreating, they saw it lay hold of the interlocking twigs, draw the branch nearer, bridge the space between with its long straggling arm, and then bound from one to the other with the agility of a squirrel.
And this with the use of only one arm, for by the other the child was still carried in the same close hug.

Its legs acted as arms, and for travelling through the tree-tops three were sufficient.
On into the heart of the deep foliage of the second tree, and without a pause on into the next; along another pair of counterpart limbs, which, intertwining their leafy sprays and boughs, still further into the forest, all the time bearing its precious burden along with it.
The agonised father ran below, rifle in hand.

He might as well have been without one, for all the use he dared to make of it.
And Henry, too, followed with the ship's musket.