148 
ON SAFAKI 
discomfort for ever. Why does lie not move an inch 
inland ? No, that is not his way; so the pair depart 
to seek more convenient quarters elsewhere. Mean¬ 
while, a score of long-legged stilts have arrived. These 
are not somnolent, but set to work busily in search of 
breakfast, wading and dabbling among the floating 
water-weeds. 
“ Far away beyond, on the open water, the mirage has 
hitherto distorted every object. I have been watching 
some great white things that I thought were swans, and 
was wondering how they got here. Now, as the sunlight 
strengthens, I see they are pelicans asleep on a shallow, 
and there is a line of flamingoes beyond. Presently a 
rushing of water sets me alert, and a hippo cow swims 
rapidly past not twenty yards away, with her toto 
easily keeping pace. I do not shoot, and they disappear 
round the point quite unconscious of the danger they 
have just incurred. A family party of five—one huge 
bull, with two cows and two totos —lie basking near a low 
rocky islet 200 yards out. For two hours I watched 
them, but they came no nearer. Then shots resound 
from beyond the point, so we arise, stretch, and go on 
to find A-watching a hippo bull apparently in the 
throes of its death-flurry.” 
While encamped here, on the Karriendoos, one of 
