THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 18.5 
the harpoon, the hunter takes in his right 
^and ; in his left he holds the rest of the rope 
''^ith the piece of wood. Thus armed, he cau- 
tiously approaches the animal as he lies asleep 
*11 the day on some small island in the river, 
'll' he looks for him at night when he is likely 
come out of the water to graze in the corn- 
^olds. When the huntsman is about seven 
{luces from the beast, he throws the spear 
'I'ith all his might, and if he is a good marks- 
*111111 the iron pierces through the thick hide, 
drying itself in the flesh deeper than the 
ji^tbed point. The animal generally plunges 
*iito the water, and, though the shaft of the 
^Hi'poon may be broken, the piece of wood 
^^tached to the iron floats on the surface and 
^{lews what direction he takes. The hunts- 
**11111 is in great danger if the hippopotamus 
®Pies him before he can throw his spear ; for 
beast then springs forward with the utmost 
^**i’y> and crushes him at once in his wide 
