THH HIPPOPOTAMUS 
635 
the surface, takes in the required amount of air, and sinks back again to the river bed. More- 
over, it will often be so extremely wary, that it will not protrude even its mouth in the open 
water, and looks out for some reeds or floating substances which may cover its movements 
while breathing. As a general rule, it is found that the most deadly wound that can be given 
to a Hippopotamus is on the nose, for the animal is then unable to remain below the surface, 
and consequently presents an easy mark to the hunter. A heavy ball just below the shoulder 
always gives a mortal wound, and in default of such a mark being presented, the eye or the 
ear is a good place to aim at. 
The most exciting manner of hunting the Hippopotamus is by fairly chasing and harpoon- 
ing it, as if it were a whale or a walrus. This mode of sport is described very vividly by Mr. 
Andersson. 
The harpoon is a very ingenious instrument, being composed of two portions, a shaft 
measuring three or four inches in thickness and ten or twelve feet in length, and a barbed iron 
point, which fits loosely into a socket in the head of the shaft, and is connected with it by 
means of a rope composed of a number of separate strands. This peculiar rope is employed to 
prevent the animal from severing it, which he would soon manage were it to be composed of a 
single strand. To the other end of the shaft a strong line is fastened, and to the other end of 
the line a float or buoy is attached. As this composite harpoon is very weighty it is not thrown 
at the animal, but is urged by the force of the harpooner’s arm. The manner of employing it 
shall be told in Mr. Andersson’ s own words : 
“As soon as the position of the Hippopotami is ascertained, one or more of the most 
skilful and intrepid of the hunters stand prepared with the harpoons ; whilst the rest make 
ready to launch the canoes, should the attack prove successful. The bustle and noise caused 
by these preparations gradually subside. Conversation is carried on in a whisper, and every 
one is on the qui-vive. The snorting and plunging become every moment more distinct ; but 
a bend in the stream still hides the animals from view. The angle being passed, several dark 
objects are seen floating listlessly on the water, looking more like the crests of sunken rocks 
than living creatures. Ever and anon, one or other of the shapeless masses is submerged, but 
soon again makes its appearance on the surface. On, on, glides the raft with its sable crew, 
who are now worked up to the highest state of excitement. At last, the raft is in the midst of 
the herd, who appear quite unconscious of danger. Presently one of the animals is in imme- 
diate contact with the raft. How is the critical moment. The foremost harpooner raises 
himself to his full height, to give the greater force to the blow, and the next instant the fatal 
iron descends with unerring accuracy in the body of the Hippopotamus. 
“The wounded animal plunges violently, and dives to the bottom ; but all his efforts to 
escape are unavailing. The line or the shaft of the harpoon may break ; but the cruel barb 
once imbedded in the flesh, the weapon (owing to the toughness and thickness of the beast’ s 
hide) cannot be withdrawn. 
“As soon as the Hippopotamus is struck, one or more of the men launch a canoe from off 
the raft, and hasten to the shore with the harpoon-line, and take a round turn with it about a 
tree, or bunch of reeds, so that the animal may either be c brought up ’ at once, or, should 
there be too great a strain on the line, ‘ played ’ (to liken small things to great) in the same 
manner as the salmon by the fishermen. But if time should not admit of the line being passed 
round a tree, or the like, both line and ‘ buoy ’ are thrown into the water, and the animal goes 
wherever he chooses. 
£ ‘ The rest of the canoes are now all launched from off the raft, and chase is given to the poor 
brute, who, so soon as he comes to the surface to breathe, is saluted with a shower of light 
javelins. Again he descends, his track deeply crimsoned with gore. Presently — and perhaps 
at some little distance — he once more appears on the surface, when, as before, missiles of all 
kinds are hurled at his devoted head. 
“When thus beset, the infuriated beast not unfrequently turns upon his assailants, and 
either with his formidable tusks, or with a blow from his enormous head, staves in or capsizes 
the canoes. At times, indeed, not satisfied with wreaking his vengeance on the craft, he 
