Читать книгу From Monkey to Man, or, Society in the Tertiary Age онлайн

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“Is it not enough,” retorted Shoozoo, “that I bring home the story of it? The honor that comes from snakes is not in having them, but in killing them.”

“But I want the proof of both your exploits and your love,” replied she; “the other baboons bring something to their loved ones, and the girls are all taunting me with your failures and your neglect. I am pining for snakes.”

Shoozoo felt embarrassed, but, being always ready with a promise when he lacked an achievement, said:

“I will bring you the great dragon of the swamp, the winged alligator that rules these waters and darkens the sun when he flies.”

“I would rather have plain snakes,” she said; “I would entwine them in my hair, and, like the girls of Jo and Kibboo, drape them as trophies about my neck.”

“Never doubt my love,” he replied, “You shall be ensnaked; and my conquests and your adornments will be the pride of all monkeydom.”

Simlee, thus reassured, ran laughing up a tree, while Shoozoo departed to achieve, or invent, fame.

Arming himself with a club and a vivid imagination he went out, like Don Quixote, for snakes and glory.