Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-11-28
EVENING STAR.
HIPPoPoTAMUs HUNTING.
F,om Nordhcf7s " Whaling and Fishing

that the FIRST, and if need be the next day
likewise, should be devoted to a thorough in
spection Of the facilities of the place, in order
that we might work as at little disadvantage
as possible.
Consequently we, the mates boats crew,
had been ordered to prepare for a general
cruise. We provided ourselves with store of
bread and beef, filled the boats breaker with
water, spread our sail to tie light breeze, and
pointed the boats bow towards the nearest
island. Landing here, We found nought but
wilderness of low jungle, which was scarce
ly penetrable, together with q poor landing
We examined three or four of the islets, and
having at last fxed upon suitable place
where to commence operations, were about
to return on board, when the mate said,
Trim aft, Tom, there's good breeze, fair
coming and going, and we'll take look at
the mainland" Accordingly, the boats head
was laid shoreward, and We spread ourselves
out at full length upon the thwsrts. enjoying
an unusual treat Of some cigars which our
chief officer had good naturedly brought with
him.
When within about mile and half of the
main land, We found the water shoaling, being
then not more than three fathOms-eightee
feet-deep.
II saw black skin gIisten in the sun Just
then" said the boststeerer, who was aft, the
mate having stretched himself upon the bow
thwart TO take a nap.
1T was nothing but a putting pig" said
he drowsiIy.
There 1t is again, and no putting pig
either-nor-no," said he with some degree
of animatiOn-'' nor anything else that wears
black skin that / ever saw before"
This had the effect of rousing US up, every
one casting his eyes ahead to catch sight If
the questionable "black skin"
There he blows D." and there again 10
-" and over here too, 4" said several voices in
succession.
" 1t amt spout at all, boys, let's pull up
and see what il is
We took to our oars, and the boat was soon
darting forward at good speed toward the
place where We had last seen the object Of our
curiosity.
Stern all 80 suddenly shouted the mate,
as the boat brought up "all standing" against
some object which we had not been able to see
On account of the murkiness of the water, the
collision nearly throwing US upon our backs
into the bottom of the boat As we backed
off, an enormous beast slowly raised his head
| above the water, gave a loud snort, and in
continently dove down again, almost before
We could get a fair look at 1t.
What is it ?'' was now the question
which no one could answer.
Whatever it is, said the mate, whose
whaling blood was up, g. If il comes within
reach of my iron, IL make fast to 1T, lads-so
pull ahead" We were again under headway,
keeping bright look out for the temperance
Of the stranger.
There they are, whole scheol, said the
| mate, eagerly, pointing in shore, where the
glisteDiDg of whitewater showed that num-
Der of the nondescripts were evidently enjoy
| ing themselves. Now, boys, pull hard, and
we II soon try their mettle'
There's something broke water, just a.
head, said the boststeerer.
"Pull easy, lads-I see him-there-way
| enough-there's his bsck!'
| Stern all.' shouted he, as he darted his
| iron into back as broad as a small sperm
| whales
Stern alI-oack water-back water, every
man.
And the infuriated beast made desperate
lunses in every direction, making the white
water fly almost equal to a whale.
We could now see the whole shape of the
creature, as, in his agony and surprise, he
raised himself high above the surface. We
| all recognized at once the Hippopotamus, as
| he is represented in books of natural history.
Our subject soon got d little cooler, and Civ
| ing a savage roar, bent his head round until
| he grasped the shank of the iron between his
teeth With one jerk he drew it out of his
| bleeding quarter, and shaking it savagely,
| dove down to the bottom. The water was here
| but about two fathOms deep, and we could see
| the direction in which he was travelling along
| the bottom, by line Of blood. as well as by
| the air bubbles which rose TO the surface as
| be breathed.
| "Give me another iron, Charley, and we IL
not give him chance to pull 1t out the next
| time"
| The iron was hauled up, and we slowly
sailed in the direction which our prize was
/ following along the bottom.
Here's two or three of them astern Of US, "
| said the boatsteerer.
Just then two more rose, one on either side
| of the boat, and in rather unpleas mt proxim-
| ity, and before we had begun to realize our
| situation, the wounded beast, unable any
| longer to stay beneath the surface, came up
to breathe, just ahead.
| "Pull ahead little; let's get out of this
snarl. Lay the boat around-so-now, stern
| ALL" And the iron was planted deep in the
| neck of our victim. With q roar loader than
a dozen of the wild bulls OF Madag scar, the
now maddened beast made for the boat
| Back water! back, l say! Take down
this boatssil and stern all Stern, for your
lives, men" as two more appeared by the
bows, evidently prepared to assist their COM
rade. He was making the water fly in all di-
rections, and having failed to reach the boat
was now vainly essaying to grasp the iron
| which the mate had purposely put into hi:
short neck, 80 close to his head that he could
not get it in his mouth.
"Stick out line till we get clear Of the
school, and then well pull up on the Other
side of this fellow, and soon settle him with ,
| lance"
This was done, and as we again hauled upor
the still furious beast, the mate poised hi
bright lance for moment, then cent it deer
into his heart. With a tremendous roar, anc
a desperate final struggle, Of scarcely min
ute's duration, our prize gave up the ghost
and after sinking for moment, rose again L
the surface, lying upon his side, just as doe,
| the whale when dead.
His companions had left US, and we now
giving three cheers for our victory, towed tn,
carcass to the not far distant shore. II wa
luckily high tide, and we got the body up Il
high water mark, where the speedily reced
ing waves left it ashore. When we her,
viewed the giant, and thought of the singular
agility he had displayed in the water, W,
could not help acknowledging to one another
that to get among a school Of Hippopotam
would be rather desperate game.
EF DR.. Elder tells this story of Hoboke,
Alderman: A relative of -, not remark ahl