STANLEY’S TRIUMPHANT MARCH . 
323 
“Arid clear of all obstructions she darted out upon the lake. Safeni 
stood for an instant on the water’s edge, with the cloths in his hand. 
The foremost of a crowd of natives was about twenty yards from 
him. He raised his spear and balanced himself. 
‘ ‘ Spring into the water, man, head first! ’ I cried. 
“The balanced spear was about to fly, and another man was prepar¬ 
ing his weapon for a deadly cast, when I raised my gun and the bullet 
ploughed through him and through the second. The bowmen halted 
and drew their bows. I sent two charges of duck-shot into their midst 
HUNTING HIPPOPOTAMI. 
with terrible effect. The natives retreated from the beach on which 
the boat had lately lain. 
“Having checked the natives, I assisted one of my men into the 
boat, and ordered him to lend a hand to the others, while I reloaded 
my big guns, keeping my eyes on the natives. There was a point about 
a hundred yards in length on the east, which sheltered the cove. Some 
of the natives made a rush for this, but my guns commanded the 
exposed position, and they were obliged to retire. 
“The crew seized their rifles, but I told them to leave them alone, 
and to tear the bottom-board out of the boat and use them as paddles; 
for there were two hippopotami advancing on us open-mouthed, and 
