232 TRAVELS IN 
feen fq young a hippopotamus, and curiofity 
to examine it prompted me to haften to the 
place, followed by Bernfry and fome of my 
hunters. My eagernefs was fo great, and I 
ran fo heedlefsly, that I was guilcy of an a£t 
of imprudence, the confequences of whicl^ 
might have proved fatal to me or fome of xnj 
companions. 
On my arrival near the river, as I was leap- 
ing from one rock to another, that I might 
have a better view, I perceived an animal 
crofling me ; and, without giving myfelf time 
to examine it, I fired and broke its leg. It 
was the little hippopotamus of which we were 
in fearch. We ran to intercept its paffage, 
and prevent it from gaining the water j but 
we had fcarcely come up to him, when the 
mother appeared a few paces off, on the edge 
of the river, running toward us with fearfu][ 
bowlings, and opening wide her tremendoiis^ 
jaws^^ 
This l^idden and unexpefled appearance 
made fuch impreffion upon us, that we 
thought of nothing but fpeedy fl ight; and every 
one threw away his fufil to run ihe fafter. I 
hefitated not to do the fame with mine, as it . 
wa3, ^ 
