MY THREE SEA-COWS. 57 



breath. The old cow rose first, showing her muzzle 

 only. I gave her both barrels, on which she dived and 

 came up again with a plunge, showing head and shoulders, 

 but unfortunately I was not reloaded, or I could have 

 finished her off then and there. 



They then managed somehow or other to disappear, 

 nor could our utmost efforts with poles succeed in dis- 

 lodging them from their place of refuge under the 

 farther bank. The water was deepest there, and it was 

 evidently there that they had hidden themselves. 



I then ordered the reeds upon the farther bank to be 

 set on fire. This had the effect of stirring them at once. 

 The fire seemed to have terrified them, for they were a 

 long time before they came up to breathe, and when 

 they did so, they came up simultaneously, both showing 

 full heads. 



I gave them a quick right and left. The cow doubled 

 up instantly and sank ; but the young bull began 

 floundering about like a fresh run salmon on a fly, and 

 then dived again, and I lost sight of him for a few 

 moments. Presently I heard a cry from one of my 

 Cafifres whom I had stationed at the head of the pool, 

 " This way, sir ; he is coming out ". 



I raced along the bank to the head of the pool, and 

 sure enough there he was making his way up the rapid, 

 which was not more than two feet deep at this point. 

 He got over the ground with amazing agility for such a 

 ponderous animal, and though he was in the water and 

 had to gallop over rocks, and I was on a firm, dry bank 

 I had to run hard to get abreast of him. He galloped 

 along, sending the spray flying in all directions. I gave 

 him both barrels behind the shoulder, at which he pulled 

 up, and then did an acrobatic performance which I 



