A FIGHT. 453 



jaws — I gained the banks of the creek, and emer- 

 ging from the high grass, I suddenly came face to 

 face with a large herd of river-horse. 



Above a dozen of these clumsy, unwieldly 

 looking creatures were in shallow water, within 

 easy range, and several others seemed to be asleep, 

 with their uncouth heads above the surface of th^ 

 water. It was impossible to count them, for they 

 kept going below, spouting water about three feet, 

 and now and then rising to breathe. 



Selecting a huge bull, that was looking in an 

 inquiring manner towards the spot where I was 

 standing, as if he had just discovered that there 

 was danger brewing in the wind, I aimed at 

 his eye, and dropped him stone dead, I then let' 

 drive at a cow, with a young one at heel, which I 

 tumbled over with a shot just where the neck joins 

 the head; but she soon recovered her feet, and, 

 with a hoarse snort of rage, vigorously charged 

 another of her species, and both rolled over and 

 over, biting and butting at each other with the 

 greatest fury. The rest of- the herd stood gazing 

 for a moment, as if curious to examine the intruder 



