1811. 
THE SCENERY.— A HIPPOPOTAMUS STEAK. 
413 
before I could get them to cut off the head, that I might draw it 
more conveniently. I carefully finished and coloured on the spot, 
two drawings in front and profile *. Nor was my book closed be- 
fore some attempt had been made, to represent the beauty of this 
charming landscape. But its beauty consisted not in the mere out- 
line ; the glowing warmth of the atmosphere, diffused a mellow effect 
over the whole, which the materials I had with me, would never, 
even in the most skilful hand, be able to exhibit. The placid, noble 
stream gave to the scene a peaceful, yet animated character, which was 
strangely contrasted by the spot where our party were so busy at work. 
This indeed more resembled a flesh-market, where bushes were 
converted into shambles, and their branches were bending to the 
ground, overloaded with meat. Whichever way I turned my head, 
I beheld men, or women, or dogs, eating; several large fires were 
crowded with cooks : all around was carving, broiling, gnawing, and 
chewing. Nor did I myself feel the least inclination to reprobate the 
practice, for, after a long fatiguing walk, and eight hours fasting, 1 
confess that a Hippopotamus steak was not a thing to be rejected ; and, 
even at this moment, I still remain convinced that, it' our English 
lovers of good eating could but once taste such a steak, they would not 
rest till they had caused " fine lively Hippopotami" to be an article 
of regular importation. 
All the offal, bones, and head, fell by custom to the Bushmen's 
share. No sooner was the carcase cut open, than they fell to work 
upon the entrails ; occasionally wiping the grease from their fingers 
on to their arms, legs, and thighs ; they were, besides, plentifully 
bespattered with the blood and filth, each rejoicing at the portion he 
had obtained. 
Among these happy, dirty creatures, was one who, by her aire 
and dress, showed that she had no mean opinion of her personal 
accomplishments : she was, in fact, the prettiest young Bush-girl I 
had yet seen ; but her vanity, and too evident consciousness of her 
superiority, rendered her less pleasing in my eyes, and her extra- 
* See the Engraxing at page 103. 
