70 WILD LIFE UNDER THE EQUATOR. 
but I must take a roundabout way.” How careful lhad 
to be in order not to be seen ! 
I felt very much excited, and when I reached the lit- 
tle island, or grove, of trees without being discovered I 
was aolule pleased with myself It was, I thought, a 
splendid piece of woodcraft on my part. I fancied I was 
almost the equal of Aboko, who had killed the rogue 
elephant at Cape Lopez. I had reached the grove from 
the opposite side to that where I supposed the hippopot- 
ami to be. The only sure way for me to come close 
to them was to go through the grove and wait until they 
should come within gunshot from the other side. 
The frees were not very thick, and I could pass 
through the underbrush without making much noise. I 
thought that perhaps there was a leopard there, and if so 
he would leap upon me before I was aware. It was just 
the time of the night when they were out, and they 
abounded in that region. I therefore entered the woods, 
looking to the left and to the right and ahead of me, in 
order not to be surprised, and met several hippopota- 
mi tracks. | 
Just as I was in the midst of the grove I suddenly 
heard a great crash in the direction I was going. ‘Then 
followed several other crashes coming from other parts. 
I listened: they were the hippopotami: they had enter- 
ed the grove by several paths converging toward me. 
I kept still: I do believe my hair must have stood 
up on’ my head, for I was awfully excited. The hippo- 
potami were coming just where I was. ° 
I cocked my gun, hid myself behind a big tree, and 
waited. I heard the crash of branches in all directions 
except one, and finally saw the branches of the : 
a 
% 
