‘What are you talking about?’ Melanie asked.
‘In some ways that’s me standing over there,’ Kevin answered.
‘Now let’s not jump the gun,’ Melanie said.
‘He’s certainly standing like a human,’ Candace remarked. ‘But he’s
hairier than any human I’ve ever been out with.’
‘Very funny,’ Melanie said without laughing.
‘Melanie, use the locator to scan the area,’ Kevin said. ‘Bonobos
usually travel together. Maybe there are more around that we can’t see.
They could be hiding in the bushes.’
Melanie played with the instrument.
‘I can’t believe how still he is,’ Candace said.
‘He’s probably scared stiff,’ Kevin said. ‘I’m sure he doesn’t know what
to make of us. Or if Melanie is right about there not being enough
females out here, maybe he’s smitten with you two.’
‘That I don’t find funny at all,’ Melanie said, without looking up from
the keyboard of the locator.
‘Sorry,’ Kevin said.
‘What’s he got around his waist?’ Candace asked.
‘I was wondering that, too,’ Kevin said. ‘I can’t make it out, unless
it’s just a vine that got caught on him when he came through the
bushes.’
‘Look at this,’ Melanie said with excitement. She held up the instrument
so the others could see. ‘Kevin, you were right. There’s a whole group
of bonobos in the trees behind your double.’
‘Why would he venture out on his own?’ Candace asked.
‘Maybe he’s like an alpha male in chimp society,’ Melanie said. ‘Since
there are so few females, it stands to reason these bonobos might act
more like chimps. If that’s the case, he might be proving himself to be
courageous.’
Several minutes passed. The bonobo did not move.
‘This is like a Mexican standoff,’ Candace complained. ‘Come on! Let’s
see how close we can get. What do we have to lose? Even if he runs off,
I’d say this little episode is encouraging that we’ll see more.’
‘All right,’ Kevin said. ‘But no sudden movement. I don’t want to scare
him. That would only ruin our chances for seeing the others.’
‘You guys first,’ Candace said.
The three advanced carefully, moving forward step by step. Kevin was in
the lead followed immediately by Melanie. Candace brought up the rear.
When they reached the midway mark, between them and the bonobo, they
stopped. Now they could see the bonobo much better. He had prominent
eyebrows and a sloped forehead like a chimp, but the lower half of his
face was significantly less prognathous than even a normal bonobo. His
nose was flat, his nostrils flared. His ears were smaller than those of
either chimps or bonobos and flush against the side of his head.
‘Are you guys thinking what I’m thinking?’ Melanie whispered.
Candace nodded. ‘He reminds me of the pictures I saw in the third grade.
Of very early cavemen.’
‘Uh, oh, can you guys see his hands?’ Kevin whispered.
‘I think so,’ Candace said softly. ‘What’s wrong with them?’
‘It’s the thumb,’ Kevin whispered. ‘It’s not like a chimp’s. His thumb
juts out from the palm.’
‘You’re right,’ Melanie whispered. ‘And that means he might be able to
oppose his thumb with his fingers.’
‘Good god! The circumstantial evidence keeps mounting,’ Kevin whispered.
‘I suppose if the developmental genes responsible for the anatomical
changes necessary for bipedalism are on the short arm of chromosome six,
then it’s entirely possible that the ones for the opposable thumb are,
too.’
‘It is a vine around his waist,’ Candace commented. ‘Now I can see it
clearly.’
‘Let’s try moving closer,’ Melanie suggested.
‘I don’t know,’ Kevin said. ‘I think we’re pushing our luck. Frankly,
I’m surprised he hasn’t bolted already. Maybe we should just sit down
right here.’
‘It’s hotter than blazes here in the sun,’ Melanie said. ‘And it’s not
even nine o’clock, so it’ll only get worse. When we decide to sit and
observe, I vote we do it in the shade. I’d also like to have the food
chest.’
‘I agree,’ Candace said.
‘Of course, you agree,’ Kevin said mockingly. ‘I’d be surprised if you
didn’t.’ Kevin was becoming tired of Melanie making a suggestion only to
have Candace eagerly support it. It had already gotten him into trouble.
‘That’s not very nice,’ Candace said indignantly.