THE PALAVER. 455 



attack on the canoes, and, notwithstanding she 

 received several blows from the paddles on the 

 head, she managed to capsize one, soon after which 

 she began spinning round, and finally sunk in 

 deep water. 



The people were in great glee at the prospect of 

 so much good food, for the flesh of the hippopotamus 

 is not at all bad eating, and much superior to that 

 of the elephant. I kept the young calf for my own 

 people and myself, and I have often eaten pork 

 that was not nearly so delicate in flavour. When 

 I returned to the village, I found that, in conse- 

 quence of my shooting, I had risen very much in 

 the estimation of the people ; and they all, men, 

 women and children, came to gaze at me, and 

 several brought presents of fowls, plaintains or 

 sweet potatoes. 



After dinner, when all the people were as- 

 sembled in a large shed, " the palaver house," at 

 the end of the long street forming the village, I 

 told them of my desire to shoot some gorillas, 

 promising a large dash to any one who would 

 bring me authentic news of their whereabouts. 



