THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 191 
on the last visit of the ship to Delagoa 
three parties set out for the chase, and 
''^ere conveyed up Dundas river ; and, having 
^^ached that part of it where the animals were 
*'^ost abundant, they commenced their pur- 
suit. “ The scene,” says Captain Owen, 
'was novel and imposing; a body of men 
^tmed at all points with muskets, harpoons, 
^*^d lances, walking on the shallows of the 
''iver with nothing but the moon to light them, 
hallooing and driving their huge prey be- 
them, who, blowing, snorting, and bel- 
^°Wing, were floundering through the mud 
the numerous holes which they had made 
the bottom for their retreat, but from which 
hunters’ lances soon expelled them, until, 
'^^tiniately driven upon dry ground, where a 
*^Jiiining contest commenced, the beast some- 
being pursued and at others pursuing, 
"^^is lasted some time, but not an animal had 
party secured, dead or alive.” As low 
