accorded to others the right to cherish the same
desires as he, even though he himself might be
the object of their hunt.

His strange life had left him neither morose
nor bloodthirsty. That he joyed in killing, and
that he killed with a joyous laugh upon his hand-
some lips betokened no innate cruelty. He killed
for food most often, but, being a man, he some-
times killed for pleasure, a thing which no other
animal does; for it has remained for man alone
among all creatures to kill senselessly and wan-
tonly for the mere pleasure of inflicting suffering
and death.

And when he killed for revenge, or in self-
defense, he did that also without hysteria, but it
was a very businesslike proceeding which ad-
mitted of no levity.

So it was that now, as he cautiously ap-
proached the village of Mbonga, he was quite
prepared either to kill or be killed should he be
discovered. He proceeded with unwonted
stealth, for Kulonga had taught him great
respect for the little sharp splinters of wood
which dealt death so swiftly and unerringly.

At length he came to a great tree, heavy laden
with thick foliage and loaded with pendant loops
of giant creepers. From this almost impenetrable
bower above the village he crouched, looking
down upon the scene below him, wondering over
every feature of this new, strange life.

There were naked children running and play-

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