334 TRAVELS IN 
popotami. As our flock of provlfion was nearly 
cxhaufted, and the weather favourable, I re- 
folved to fpend this day in hunting. 
My people having difperfed themfelves on 
the banks of the river, in order that they might 
difcover the precife fpot which thefe hippopo- 
tami haunted, I myfelf went to the other fide, 
in hopes of finding fome koedoes or other 
game. I however faw only fome ftragglirig 
antelopes, and a few flocks of oftriches. [Being 
on foot, and finding that I could by no means 
approach them, I began to fear that the whole 
day w^ould be fpent in contemplation and 
courfing ; but, after having traverfed a great 
deal of ground, I fuddenly obferved, in a plain 
which was covered with long grafs and a few 
fhrubs, feven koedoes, which very luckily did 
not perceive me. Followed by a man who 
attended me, I approached with great pre- 
caution; and, when we were within two 
hundred paces of them, I ordered him. to fire 
firft ; for, as I was certain that I could over- 
take thefe animals by running, I wifhed to 
referve my fhot till the moft dubious moment. 
As foon as he had fired, they all betook them- 
felves to flight, as I expeded ; but very luckily 
as they paflTed me, at the diflance of about 
thirty 
