Skinning the Hippopotamus 



surface. I became uneasy, for I feared at any 

 moment he might disappear for good. Presently 

 he approached a little nearer and presented me with 

 a broad-side view ; I could just see the outline of 

 his diminutive ear, and aiming at the water-line just 

 below it, I pressed the trigger. A slight splash and 

 the noise of the report went echoing around the 

 lake ; I saw a jet of blood spray up out of the water 

 as he sank. I knew I had got him. I gave 

 directions to my hunters to patrol the banks, whilst 

 I clambered back to my tent to await the necessary 

 six hours till the dead carcase should come to the 

 surface. Eventually with the aid of a host of 

 willing natives, the prehistoric monster was tugged 

 into shallow water, skinned and deprived of his 

 beautiful teeth. Sic transit gloria niundi. The 

 illustration shows the natives busy skinning the 

 hippopotamus. 



217 



