A FIGHT WITH A HIPPOPOTAMUS 259 



into the cabin, where ammunition and loaded rifles were 

 always kept ; but for a few minutes the commotion raised 

 in the water by the furious beast was so great that no 

 aim could be taken with certainty. Then the shell, which 

 had always proved so deadly, was sent at him, but pro- 

 duced no effect except to make him still more wild, and 



HOW THE HIPPOPOTAMUS ATTACKED THE BOAT 



the boat rocked wildly about as if blown by a hurricane. 

 Several other shells were fired at him, but for a long time 

 he gave no sign that any of them had touched him, then 

 he slowly drew himself out of the water, and lay still 

 snorting in the swampy grass. Taking for granted, 

 rather rashly, that he had received his death-blow, Baker 



8 2 



