AGILE HIPPOPOTAMI 



beautiful little places we have come across. It flows 

 between steep and precipitous banks, which are 

 densely clothed with graceful trees. Birds of every 

 description flit up and down; occasionally one catches 

 glimpses of water-buck standing in some cool, shady 

 pool ; and then, where in one of the many sharp turns 

 a big, deep, silent pool is formed, a little family of 

 hippo may be seen. One day from the top of the 

 chff I spent an hour or two watching these huge 

 animals playing — or perhaps fighting — so absolutely 

 unaware were they of my presence. The point that 

 struck me most about them was their agility, for they 

 look so big and cumbersome and are yet so very active. 

 The play was of the roughest description, for sometimes 

 two would grapple, and great gashes would appear 

 on their skins, blood being drawn. 



Hippo actually live in families, each family occupying 

 a separate pool ; should an intruder from another 

 family appear a real fight takes place. I do not 

 know if these ever end fatally, but fearful wounds are 

 given, as can be seen from old scars on the hides of 

 those that are shot. 



The record of the next few days is uneventful, 

 then my diary goes on : — 



Monday, June 21st. — I left camp early and went 

 into hiding about 9.0 a.m., hoping to see some water- 

 buck, but though I waited until just on dark I had 



85 



