It was not deemed safe to venture out of the Swamp in the presence of so many apes, some of whom would doubtless recognize them as belonging to the Ammi; so they determined to hide in the bushes till night, and then reconnoitre. In the meantime they had abundant opportunity to watch the movements of the Apes, who kept in groups, as if fearing an attack, although an occasional one was seen alone, and some few came even into the Swamp. The two lovers did not fear the approach of single apes, or even of a small group; for, as there were many varieties among the Lali, and not a single kind only, as among the Ammi, the appearance of a new kind raised no suspicion. The Ammi, or Men, moreover, were hardly distinguishable from certain of the Lali, at least by the Apes. “The chance of finding Orlee among so many,” said Sosee, “is not good; and if we find her we cannot take her from them.” “Wait till it is dark,” replied Koree, “and the groups will disperse, when we can both approach them without suspicion, and carry her off without resistance. Trust your lover.” “I trust you, or I should have not come with you, or have asked you to come,” she answered; “but I see no way to accomplish our object.” “Do you see that big baboon beyond the crowd walking alone with an ape?” he next asked. “He looks like the fellow that struck me when Orlee was carried off.” “It must be the same,” replied Sosee; “for there is a child near him which looks like Orlee.” “I think that is only a young monkey,” replied Koree, “which has been taken out by its parents.” “The three pay no attention to the other Apes,” replied Sosee, “and are wandering still farther from them. Let us approach them; in their absorption it will cause no alarm.” “If it is the baboon which I think it is, he will know me,” replied Koree. “At least I cannot mistake him.” “If we could get a little nearer,” said she, “I could tell whether it is Orlee or not.” “But we cannot get near the child without getting near the parents,” replied Koree. “She has wandered off from her keepers,” retorted Sosee. “Let us approach slowly.” “Wait till it is darker,” said he. “We can then get near enough to recognize her without being recognized by them.” “They pay no attention to the child,” continued she, “which is moving away from them; and if she goes much farther we can get near enough to see her distinctly without their noticing us.” “They seem, however,” said he, “to be much interested in something. Such earnestness among monkeys has a meaning.” “It cannot concern the child,” replied she, “and between their absorption and her distance, we can get her away while they are thinking about themselves.” “I hate the looks of that baboon,” mused Koree. “I like the looks of that child,” replied Sosee. “I will get her if it is Orlee,” he said, “but I want to avoid a blow from that brute. We had better be sure it is Orlee before we take the risk of a broken head in finding out.”