192 



FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



and fifty yards, we surprised a number of African darters 

 which were swimming so low in the water that their backs 



ROLLING OVER THE HIPPO 



were hardly visible, and their upright necks made them 

 look like water snakes rather than birds, as they dipped at 

 intervals to reappear a few yards ahead. Finally they beat 

 up a clumsy flight and took refuge in the trees upon the bank. 



A little farther on where the ground shelved gently to the 

 water's edge, we sighted the fresh spoor of buffalo, so Gosling 

 landed and disappeared into the wet bush, and presently we 

 heard a shot. But the buffalo had gone too far, and he came 

 back with a waterbuck. 



At another point, where the right bank was veryjiigh and 



