250 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



The fun begins ; the hippo, feeling that it is dragged, offers the 

 greatest amount of resistance, but by degrees, and with careful 

 management, it is guided within striking distance, and another 

 harpoon is fixed within its stubborn hide. There is no longer any 

 delicacy necessary, as the collective power of the hunters can be 

 distributed upon the various ropes attached to their respective 

 harpoons without fear of breakage. 



I have seen a hippopotamus, under these conditions, quit the 

 refuge of deep water and boldly challenge the crowd of his pursuers 

 by landing upon the bank and making a general onslaught upon 

 them. These splendid fellows fought the enraged animal with 

 lances, some of which were caught and crushed within its powerful 

 jaws. But the most telling defence was made with handfuls of 

 sand, which, thrown in the prominent eyes, immediately forced the 

 half-blinded beast to retreat to the welcome river, where it could 

 wash, and prepare for a renewal of the conflict. Upon one occa- 

 sion I saw a hippopotamus, which, when harpooned, had emerged 

 from the river to attack the hunters, return over and over again to 

 the charge, until it had smashed and broken so many spears that I 

 was forced to terminate the fight by a bullet in its brain. 



The natives of Central Africa do not advance to the attack by 

 swimming like the Hamran Arabs, but they harpoon the hippo- 

 potamus from canoes ; and they are frequently upset by the 

 infuriated animal before they have time to escape by paddling. 

 Swimming would be a safer method of harpooning, as the hunter 

 can save himself by diving, unseen by the hippopotamus, which 

 invariably looks upwards when in the water, as it instinctively 

 directs its vision towards the light ; but in the White Nile and in 

 the lakes there are crocodiles in such great numbers that few people 

 would presume upon the risk. 



Although the hippopotamus affords excellent sport when hunted 

 in this fashion, the ordinary method of shooting these animals in 

 the water exhibits the poorest form of amusement. It is impos- 

 sible to determine whether it is killed or otherwise, until the body 

 appears upon the surface. The bullet may be heard to strike, and 

 the huge head will instantly disappear, but the most experienced 

 person may be deceived in accepting the shot as fatal, and a sudden 

 snort a few minutes later will prove that the hippo is in being ; 

 after which it will rarely expose its head to another aim. 



A No. 10 rifle, very accurately sighted, with a powder charge 

 of 10 drams, is the best weapon for shooting these animals, as the 

 bullet will crash through the skull, and will frequently stun the 

 hippo, although it may have escaped the brain. Upon such occa- 



