Oboo, observing the beauty and agility of Sosee, felt a desire to possess her which outweighed his anxiety for the child. “She is prettier than the old woman,” he said to himself, “and I will go for her.” Oboo always had time, even in a fight or a race, to observe an attractive female, and his head was invariably turned by the sight, no matter at what business he was engaged. He accordingly turned from the pursuit of Koree and Orlee, and started after the girl. The scratches and pounding which he had received from her were no warning to him, but rather increased his infatuation by testifying to her spirit. Love at first sight is greater among Apes than among Men, and overcomes more obstacles. Accustomed to fight for their females, and often to take them by overcoming them in fight, the love of our primitive ancestors was often “love at first fight.” Oboo, therefore, forgot his heroism in his passion, and, abandoning all that he had set out to accomplish, started in pursuit of his pleasure before he was yet out of his pain, and thought of enjoying the caresses of a lover, while still smarting under her blows. The battle of Mars thus turned into the battle of Cupid, and the warrior, turned lover, continued the pursuit without much changing his method. While Oboo was thus pursuing Sosee, Koree with the child in his arms had reached the thicket, and was safe. Other apes came up, indeed, to the edge of the swamp, and penetrated its depths; but, as it was getting dark, they soon turned back, discontinuing the pursuit. While there were many things to be found in the Swamp, their experience had taught them that nothing was ever found there which was sought for. They might get other apes or other game, but any particular thing that had escaped in that tangled waste was deemed irretrievably lost. In the mean time the pursuit of Sosee continued. Love added its inspiration to that of prowess in the breast of her pursuer. Oboo ran for both pleasure and glory. He must have the girl both because he wanted her, and because he dared not return without her. Hence he ran as one who had everything at stake; and so did she. Like Camilla, scouring the plain, she put the Ape-land far behind her, while the distant forest seemed, like Birnam Wood, to be fast approaching her. Like the timid hare pursued by the hunter, which darts straight for the shelter of the thick brush or dense cedars, her ears laid back upon her shoulders, and her feet in the air, gliding with a billowy motion to a place of safety, so the swift Sosee ran, measuring off the rapid miles under her feet, while her panting warrior-lover, hotly pursuing, sought to take her ere she should find a refuge in the dense groves beyond.