BOAS. 173 



them at close quarters after being wounded, as 

 they become extremely infuriated ; and there 

 are not wanting instances in which life has 

 been sacrificed by doing so. But we now take 

 such precaution in approaching it, that it is 

 next to impossible that any accident can happen. 

 Just as he finished saying this, Caesar reappeared, 

 himself armed with a club, one of those who fol- 

 lowed him carrying a weapon of the same kind, 

 while the other was armed with a weapon similar 

 to a billhook. This, Mr. H. told me, was to clear 

 a road among the reeds, if the animal should have 

 retreated amongst them, — the club being reckoned 

 the best instrument for a close encounter. We 

 were soon seated in the canoes, and gliding down 

 the stream as fast as a couple of pairs of brawny 

 arms could urge us. In a short time we reached 

 the spot where my adventure had happened. The 

 small part of the bank not covered with reeds, 

 bore, from its sanguine hue, evident proof that the 

 wound the animal had received could not have 

 been slight. Exactly opposite this the reeds were 

 crushed and broken, and a sort of passage was 

 formed among them, so wide that a man could 

 with little difficulty enter. My friend commanded 

 a halt, to see that the arms were in proper order. 

 All being right, we listened attentively, in order 

 to hear if there was any noise which might direct 

 us to our enemy. No sound, however, was heard. 

 One of the negroes entered first, clearing with his 

 billhook whatever obstructed our way. He was 

 followed by Mr. H. and me with our guns ; while 

 Caesar and his fellow-servant brought up the rear. 

 The reeds were in general nearly double our height, 

 and at the same time pretty close. However, we 



