154 AFRICAN ADVENTURE STORIES 



top of his back and head above the surface. 

 Again you find him with several of his com- 

 panions huddled together on a bar, or on an 

 island in midstream, or hauled out on shore 

 where he can plunge into the water at the 

 slightest sign of danger. As you watch him 

 lying there, apparently asleep, save for the sud- 

 den and violent spasmodic convulsion of his 

 thick skin as he rids himself of insect pests, 

 you might easily conclude that he is entirely 

 off his guard. Try to approach him in a boat 

 and, although you will be able to get within 

 rifle-range, you find that he is evidently sleep- 

 ing with one eye open, for suddenly, without the 

 slightest hesitation, he jumps to his feet and 

 into the water, followed by his companions. 

 Sinking out of sight, he swims so deep that not 

 even a ripple is left, but the rising bubbles from 

 expelled air mark his course and give you an 

 idea of his whereabouts. If you wait a few 

 minutes usually not more than two if you 

 have not fired and badly frightened him you 

 will see only his eyes and nostrils and hear a 

 loud, puffing sound as he appears, some fifty or 

 seventy-five yards away, to take a fresh breath 

 of air. If he sees you he remains in sight only 



