56 HUNTING TRIPS IN NORTHERN RHODESIA. 



the Zambesi that cannot show old or recent bullet wounds. As I wished to make 

 good shooting, I got out of the houseboat and approached the herd by running 

 towards them, only moving when all the big heads were under water. In this way I 

 got to within about twenty yards of the nearest. When they came up all the heads 

 were looking my way. I fired four shots, and killed four of them. Having shot a 

 number before, I knew from the way they sank that they were killed. I could have 

 finished up the whole herd, which consisted of twelve animals, but I thought four 

 were quite sufficient. The sun and water were warm, and I knew they would be up 

 in an hour, so during the wait I walked back to the boat to get under shelter, and to 

 have some tea. On this occasion I was using a little "303 single falling-block rifle, 

 by Fraser, Edinburgh, and I used to do some very straight shooting with this light, 

 well-sighted weapon. 



Penetration is all that is necessary for killing hippo, or, indeed, any large, hard- 

 boned animal ; and to use heavy-bore cordite rifles is only to burden oneself with 

 extra weight to carry about. As I expected, the hippos all rose in about an hour, and 

 I had some trouble in getting them all dragged together, as they had stranded in 

 different parts of the river. After getting them in a good position I photographed 

 them, and then cut off their heads. By this time the natives had arrived in numbers, 

 and after getting them to promise to bring me a few fowls and eggs I gave them 

 permission to cut away. However, I ought to have got the fowls and eggs first, for 

 only one man turned out to be honest, and he brought ten eggs, half of which were 

 only suitable for election purposes. As there are no elections on the Zambesi, I gave 

 them to the crocodiles. 



A cutting-up scene, whether on an elephant, rhino, or hippo, always amuses me 

 immensely, for it is then possible to study one of the worst traits in the natives' 

 character — greed. However, they seldom come to blows, and that is one good point 

 in their favour. 



Next morning, as no fowls or eggs, except the few mentioned, had turned up, I 

 went on. The previous night the eight remaining animals in the herd had evidently 

 smelt the flesh of their dead comrades, for they kept near the boat most of the 

 night. At one time I thought they intended trying to break the boat, and got the 

 natives to light grass fires, which drove them off, helped, doubtless, by two shots 1 

 fired at the dusky form of one which came within about ten yards. 



Owing these hippos a grudge, I fired at one soon after I started in the morning 

 and told the native who had tried to be honest that it was his when it rose, for it sank 

 a dead animal. 



My boatman found old bullet wounds in all the four hippos, and brought me a 



