“The chimpanze or chimpanzee,” says Buffon, the French naturalist, “is much more sagacious than the ourang outang, with which it has been inaccurately confounded; it likewise bears a more marked resemblance to the human being; the height is the same, and it has the same aspect, members, and strength; it always walks on two feet, with the head erect, has no tail, has calves to its legs, hair on its head, a beard on its chin, a face that Grimaldi would have envied, hands and nails like those of men, whose manners and habits it is susceptible of acquiring.”

Buffon knew an individual of the species that sat demurely at table, taking his place with the other guests; like them he would spread out his napkin, and stick one corner of it into his button-hole just as they did, and he was exceedingly dexterous in the use of his knife, fork, and spoon.  Spectators were not a little surprised to see him go to a bed made for him, tie up his head in a pocket-handkerchief, place it sideways on a pillow, tuck himself carefully in the bed-clothes, pretend to be sick, stretch out his pulse to be felt, and affect to undergo the process of being bled.

The naturalist adds that he is very easily taught, and may be made a useful domestic servant, at least as regards the humbler operations of the kitchen; he promptly obeys signs and the voice, whilst other species of apes only obey the stick; he will rinse glasses, serve at table, turn the spit, grind coffee, or carry water.  Add to his virtues as a domestic, that he is not much addicted to chattering about the family affairs, has no followers, and is very accommodating in the matter of wages.

It was neither more nor less than a chimpanzee that Fritz had caught in the dark at Falcon’s Nest.

“Now then, old fellow,” said he, “you will help us to clear up this mysterious affair.”

The caged stranger made no reply to this observation; Willis and Jack then questioned him, the one in English and the other in French.

Still no reply.

He did not submit, however, to be interrogated quietly; on the contrary, his struggles to get away were most vigorous, so much so that Fritz adopted the precaution of binding him.

“If it had been one of our sailors,” said Willis, “he would have recognized my voice long ago.”

“Who are you?” asked one.

“Where do you come from?” inquired another.

“Do not attempt to escape,” said a third.

“We mean you no harm; on the contrary, we are friends, disposed to do you good if we can.”

“If all his brothers and sisters are as talkative as himself,” remarked Jack, “they must be a very amusing sort of people.”

“He can walk at all events,” said Fritz giving him a smart push.

The chimpanzee fell flat on the floor.

“It appears, sir, that you are determined to have your own way, we must therefore wait till daylight.”