506 DESCKIPTION OP THE DOWNFALL. 



ped in pitfalls ; but the most ingenious plan, and which will 

 be readily understood by the preceding wood-cut, is by means 

 of the downfall, which the natives would seem to practice 

 with considerable success. 



A is Behemoth ; B, a downfall, consisting of a log of wood ; 

 C C, stones attached to the downfall to increase its weight ; 

 D, the harpoon affixed to the lower end of the downfall ; E, 

 a tree, or, in lieu of it, an artificial support of about twenty- 

 five feet in height ; F F, a line attached to the downfall, 

 which, after having been passed over a branch of the tree or 

 artificial support, crosses horizontally the pathway that the 

 hippopotamus is in the habit of frequenting during his noc- 

 turnal rambles. When the animal (which, from the short- 

 ness of his legs, lifts his feet but little from the ground) comes 

 in contact with the line, secured on either side of the path 

 by a small peg, it at once snaps, or is disengaged by means 

 of a trigger. The liberated downfall instantly descends, and 

 the harpoon is driven deep into the back of the beast, who, 

 wounded and bloody, rushes with pain and fury to the near- 

 est water, where he shortly dies. His death is sometimes 

 hastened by the iron being poisoned. 



CHAPTER XLII. 



Eetuni to the Lake. — The Author starts for Namaqua-land to procure 

 Wagons. — ^Night Adventure with a Lion. — Death of the Beast. — 

 SutFerings of the Author. 



After about a month's absence, I returned in safety to 

 the Lake, and was delighted to find that affairs were going 

 on prosperously at my camp. My men, however, complain- 

 ed much of the begging and pilfering of the natives. They 

 had also been greatly annoyed by Lecholetebe, who was one 

 of the first persons I encountered on my arrival. I had long 

 been puzzling my brains how I could most effectually pay off 



