them.’
‘But I don’t want to be tied up,’ Candace cried.
‘As long as we’re not hurt it’s okay,’ Melanie said, hoping to calm
Candace.
The bonobo roped Melanie and then Candace in a similar fashion. When he
was finished, he stepped back, still holding the long end of the rope.
‘Obviously, they want us to stay for a while,’ Kevin said, trying to
make light of the situation.
‘Don’t be mad if I don’t laugh,’ Melanie said.
‘At least they don’t mind our talking,’ Kevin said.
‘Strangely enough, they seem to find it interesting,’ Melanie said. Each
time one of them spoke the nearest bonobo would cock its head as if
listening.
Bonobo number one suddenly opened and closed his fingers while sweeping
his hands away from his chest. At the same time he said: ‘Arak.’
Immediately, the group started moving, including the animal holding the
rope. Kevin, Melanie, and Candace were forced forward.
‘That gesture was the same as the bonobo did in the operating room,’
Candace said.
‘Then it must mean `go’ or `move’ or `away,’ ‘ Kevin said. ‘It’s
incredible. They’re speaking!’
They left the cul de sac and moved across the field until they came to
the trail. At that point they were led right. While they walked, the
bonobos remained silent but vigilant.
‘I suspect that it isn’t Siegfried who maintains these trails,’ Melanie
said. ‘I think it’s the bonobos.’
The trail curved to the south and soon entered the jungle. Even in the
forest it was well cleared and the ground underfoot was packed smooth.
‘Where are they taking us?’ Candace asked nervously.
‘I guess toward the caves,’ Kevin said.
‘This is ridiculous,’ Melanie said. ‘We’re being taken for a walk like
dogs on a leash. If they’re so impressed with us, maybe we should
resist.’
‘I don’t think so,’ Kevin said. ‘I think we should make every effort not
to get them riled up.’
‘Candace?’ Melanie asked. ‘What are you thinking? ‘
‘I’m too scared to think,’ Candace said. ‘I just want to get back to the
canoe.’
The bonobo leading with the rope turned and gave the rope a yank. The
tug almost knocked all three people down. The bonobo repeatedly waved
his hand palm down while whispering: ‘Hana.’
‘My god, is he strong or what?’ Melanie commented as she regained her
footing.
‘What do you think he means?’ Candace asked.
‘If I had to guess, I’d say he’s telling us to be quiet,’ Kevin said.
All at once, the entire group stopped. There were some hand signals
among the bonobos. Several pointed up toward the trees to the right. A
small group of bonobos slipped silently into the vegetation. Those
remaining formed a wide circle, except for three who climbed directly up
into the canopy of the forest with an ease that defied gravity.
‘What’s happening?’ Candace whispered.
‘Something important,’ Kevin said. ‘They all seem to be tense.’
Several minutes went by. None of the bonobos on the ground moved or made
the slightest noise. Then suddenly, there was a tremendous commotion to
the right, accompanied by high-pitched shrieks. At once, the trees were
alive with desperately fleeing colobus monkeys on a course bringing them
directly toward the bonobos who’d climbed up into the trees.
The terrified monkeys tried to change direction, but in their haste
several of them lost their hold on the branches and fell to the ground.
Before they could recover they were set upon by waiting bonobos on the
ground who killed them instantly with stone wedges.
Candace winced in horror, then turned away.
‘I’d say that was a good example of coordinated hunting,’ Melanie
whispered. ‘That requires a high level of cooperation.’ Despite the
circumstances, she couldn’t help but be impressed.
‘Don’t rub it in,’ Kevin whispered. ‘I’m afraid the jury is in, and the
verdict is bad. We’ve only been on the island for an hour, but the
question that brought us here has already been answered. Besides
collective hunting, we’ve seen totally upright posture, opposable
thumbs, toolmaking, and even rudimentary speech. I sense they can
vocalize just like you and I.’
‘It’s extraordinary,’ Melanie whispered. ‘These animals have gone
through four or five million years of human evolution in the few years