THE HIPPOPOTAMUS 
introduction “ Obaysch ” was quietly eating his breakfast of 
fresh grass when the sliding door of the female’s den was 
quietly raised, and the mother and young one peered out 
with a most comical expression. On seeing the female 
the old male left off eating, and loudly trumpeted. Guy 
Fawkes cautiously went up to her father, and their noses 
all but touched, when the mother, fearing danger to the 
younger one, immediately rushed forward and challenged 
her husband. Obaysch ” retreated a little distance, while 
she pretended to be feeding, at the same time keeping her 
eyes steadfastly fixed on him. 
When these animals had become excited the strange 
phenomenon of the “ blood-sweat ” appeared on their 
skins. The pale chocolate colour of the skin of both 
became densely covered with globular red spots, which 
looked like dew on the leaves of the trees, only in colour 
red, and which would leave a stain upon a handkerchief 
At last the female Dil,” which is her name) made a 
rush at “ Obaysch.” They raised themselves on their hinder 
legs and, clashing their teeth together, bit and struck at 
each other in a most sa^^ige manner, Guy Fawkes keeping 
at a most respectful distance behind or at the side of her 
mother. When “ Obaysch ” and his wife got on to their fore- 
feet again the female, by a dexterous lunge with her head, 
pushed “ Obaysch ” into the pond, and after driving him up 
into a corner kept guard over him and held him a safe 
prisoner. While this state of things continued Guy Fawkes, 
was safely perched on her mother s back looking impu- 
dently at her disgraced father. 
Several other engagements occurred, but in the end 
their animosity towards each other gradually cooled down, 
and in a short time their differences were settled, after 
which they became a very happy family. 
85 
