Lake Kazinga 



slung over my shoulder and a couple of orderlies 

 carrying my rifles behind. 



We found a native path running parallel with 

 the edge of the lake and we followed it up, keeping 

 a sharp look out for any signs of hippopotamus. 

 For the first hour we drew blank. We kept on 

 along the path so far as the huge rocky boulders 

 would permit us, and the shore of the lake curving 

 round brought us comparatively close to the island, 

 where I could distinctly see a big black spot and 

 two smaller ones. A closer inspection through 

 my glasses confirmed my suspicions. Evidently a 

 female was standing on guard over a couple of her 

 young ones. I selected a convenient rock from 

 where I could command the best view of the lake, 

 and sat down. Whilst waiting I amused myself 

 with watching the mother playing with her children. 

 She appeared to me an enormous mountain of flesh, 

 but of course the hippopotamus is the second largest 

 inhabitant of Africa. At frequent intervals she 

 would open her huge, square mouth and perform a 

 gigantic yawn, inconceivably ridiculous, displaying 

 her long, handsome teeth, beautifully polished and 

 glistening white, and then quickly close it again. 

 I was becoming impatient, when I saw three more 

 dark spots appear between me and the island. I 

 guessed that at last some of them had made up 

 their minds to come ashore to feed, according to 

 their custom, and the only question remaining was 

 as to which spot they would make for. 



I searched the banks, and noticed at one point 



211 



