Big Game Shooting 



between them and the water ; and then only, 

 I should imagine, if they tripped and fell over 

 one. Three solid tons is rather an effective 

 roller. 



When they are shot in the water from a boat, 

 beware ! They have a very nasty habit of pursu- 

 ing the said boat ; and one crunch with their huge 

 jaws smashes the concern to matchwood. A 

 steel boat on Lake Albert was recently charged 

 by one, and the shock started a three-quarter- 

 inch plate so badly that the occupants only just 

 managed to get her ashore before she sank. 

 They are more likely to fall foul of a boat if one 

 is launched on a place where few boats have 

 been before, probably because they approach to 

 interview the new intruder and consequently get 

 hurt with a bullet. They are no mean adver- 

 saries in their element. 



Their backs are sprinkled with longish hairs ; 

 that is to say, on seeing one at close quarters out 

 of the water in broad sunlight on Lake Naivasha 

 he seemed undoubtedly to be so covered. 



I have shot one in the Tana River, but having 

 rolled over three or four times, he sank, and 

 I never recovered him. 



That river is full of big crocodiles, and I expect 

 he got stuck in a hole, and was devoured by 

 them. I had the top and bottom of the pool 

 watched continuously for two days, and he never 

 appeared. 



90 



