AFRICA. 23.5 
was unloaded, and of courfe ufelefs for my 
defence. The mother, having recovered her 
cub, did not attempt to follow us, but returned 
quietly with it to the water. My hunters told 
me, that, if I wiflied to fee the young animal 
again, I muH wait for it on the fhore, whi- 
ther it would not fail foon to return with its 
mother, becaufe it was too young to remain 
long under v^ater, and befides could not fuck 
there. 
After what had pafTed, I thought this fcheme 
too dangerous, and imagined we fhould run 
lefs rifk by attacking the mother in her own 
element ; fince there, being lefs expofed, fhe 
would endeavour rather to hide herfelf and flee 
than purfue us. My opinion was juft : in lefs 
than a quarter of an hour, notwithftanding her 
wiles and apparent menaces, fhe was killed 
with her little one ; and my fwimmers puflied 
them both before them to the fhore. 
I fent the young animal to my camp, in- 
tending it for the ufe of my kitchen, if the flefli 
were good ; and I found it excellent, its fla- 
vour refembling that of pork and veal. 
The mother was flayed, and cut up on the 
ipot. I had ordered a bowl to be brought 
me, 
