Gorillas & ChimpanzeesGarner, R. L. (Richard Lynch)
Science
Gorillas & Chimpanzees
Garner, R. L. (Richard Lynch)
Chimpanzees; Gabon -- Description and travel; Garner, R. L. (Richard Lynch), 1848-1920 -- Travel; Gorilla
On my return to Fernan Vaz, where I had left Moses, I found him in a
feeble state of health as related elsewhere. When Aaron was set down
before him, he merely gave the little stranger a casual glance, but
held out his long lean arms for me to take him in mine. His wish was
gratified, and I indulged him in a long stroll. When we returned I
set him down by the side of his new friend, who evinced every sign of
pleasure and interest. He was like a small boy when there is a new baby
in the house. He cuddled up close to Moses and made many overtures to
become friends, but while the latter did not repel them he treated them
with indifference. Aaron tried in many ways to attract his attention,
or to elicit some sign of approval, but it was in vain.
No doubt the manners of Moses were due to his health, and Aaron seemed
to realise it. He sat for a long time, holding a banana in his hand,
and looking with evident concern into the face of his little sick
cousin. At length he lifted the fruit to the lips of the invalid and
uttered a low sound, but the kindness was not accepted. The act was
purely one of his own volition, in which he was not prompted by any
suggestion from others, and every look and motion indicated a desire to
relieve or comfort his friend. His manner was gentle and humane, and
his face was an image of pity.
Failing to get any sign of attention from Moses, he moved up closer to
his side and put his arms around him in the same manner that he is seen
in the picture with Elisheba.
During the days that followed, he sat hour after hour in this same
attitude, and refused to allow any one except myself to touch his
patient; but on my approach he always resigned him to me, while he
watched with interest to see what I did for him.
Among other things, I gave him a tabloid of quinine and iron twice
a day. These were dissolved in a little water and given to him in a
small tin cup which was kept for the purpose. When not in use, it was
hung upon a tall post. Aaron soon learned to know the use of it, and
whenever I would go to Moses, he would climb up the post and bring me
the cup to administer the medicine.
It is not to be inferred that he knew anything about the nature or
effect of the medicine, but he knew the use, and the only use, to which
that cup was put.
During the act of administering the medicine, Aaron displayed a marked
interest in the matter, and seemed to realise that it was intended for
the good of the patient. He would sit close up to one side of the sick
one and watch every movement of his face, as if to see what effect
was being produced, while the changing expressions of his own visage
plainly showed that he was not passive to the actions of the patient.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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