1811. 
THE THIllD HIPPOPOTAMUS. 
427 
packed it in the waggon, we prepared for returning to head-quarters ; 
but the Hottentots were so dilatory in getting every thing in readi- 
ness, that, calculating we could not reach the end of our journey before 
midnight, I deferred setting out till the next morning. This delay 
soon appeared to have been fortunate ; for, at about three in the after- 
noon, Berends, who had been absent since an early hour in the morn- 
ing, returned with the information of his having shot another HijJ- 
popotamus, which he had left on the side of the bank about six miles 
higher up. 
No time was lost in putting the team to the waggon ; and 
Speelman and Berends, mounted on oxen, led the way ; a Hottentot 
was dispatched to head- quarters, to fetch Berends's waggon ; my 
own being now nearly filled. We advanced in a direct northerly 
course, over an open plain thinly covered with low bushes. The 
earth was here also every where gaping with drought : large cracks 
crossed and divided the sun-dried soil in all directions. 
Speelman, who had not, for many years, had an opportunity of 
hunting the Hippopotamus, was in high spirits at all this success ; 
and, as he trotted on before, talking with Berends, his animated ges- 
tures, and the lively tone of his conversation, interrupted frequently 
by laughter, afforded me much amusement; and at the same time, 
exhibited a curious contrast with Philip's steadiness and natural 
taciturnity. 
At an hour before sunset we reached the place where the Sea- 
cow had been left ; but were surprised to find it not there. At last 
we discovered it drifted about six hundred yards lower down, but 
lying, unfortunately, against the opposite bank. The river at this 
place, was not more than two-thirds as wide as at its confluence with 
the Gariep ; and was therefore a hundred and sixty-six yards, or 
thereabouts. 
Two men immediately undertook to swim over, and, after great 
labor, and being in the water a long time, they succeeded in pushing 
Distinguished in the map as the T/iird Hippopotamus Station. 
3 I 2 
