American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-09-10
Gbrillin9 Sketch.
ADVENTURES WITH "A xrow.

No'emoer, ana our snip was Oft the
coast of Tripoli. A party of us who
set upon the quarter deck, had been
cenyersing upon subjects concerning
the vast desert to the southwark of us.
Il think you have travelled across
the desert?' said one of our number.
addressing the captain.
"Not exactly replied Captain Bush
wick. Some years ago l spent a few
months at Abyssinia and the country
south of it,
Was it there you had your adyen-
ture with the lion?'
All, you have heard of that scrape,
ch 2 -
Only that you had such an adven-
ture, captain. Your mate told me you
had met the animal.
'Well, / have; and if you would like
to hear the yarn | will tell it,
A vote was Immediately and unani-
mously carried that Captain Buswick
have permission to relate his adven-
ture, and without furthor preimina.
rles, he proceeded -
1T is now five and twenty Years
since L took notion to travel amongst
the African natives. | had an uncle
living in Mocha, engaged in trade
there, and | went out to see him. He
vas going into Abyssinia on busincs,
and accompanied him. Our party
consisted of six-my uncle and self and
four Nubian servants. These Nubians
were faithful fellows, and long tried,
and were moreover strong and fear.
less, having lived with my relative sew,
cral years. When the business was o
yer proposed that we should take a
trip to the southwark and see the coun.
try. The Nubians were anxious 10 20.
and after deal Of persuasion my 9u
Gle consented to the arrangement.
On the seventh day we reached n
large lake upon the extreme southern
border of Abyssinin, where we pitch
ed our tent, and then went hunting for
game, We having boGu informed that we
should find plenty Of fish and fowl IN
that region. Our luck was moderate
mnch more so than | had expected, aud
and my uncle was bent on returning:
but was bent on having a few more
trials.
'The only boat we had been able to
find was small canoo, fashioned from
! q log. And | declared that | would
tate n crnioo IN ~ ;f ,o,,,o - &, {,
accompany me. The canoe would not
carry more than two of us with any
degree of safety; and as all four of the
Aubians offered to go, l was obliged
to make my own selection. So | took
Iarl, the youngest of the lot, but the
brightest and most cool and brave in
the presence of danger. | took my
rifle and pistols, while Lari took his RI
fle and spear and thus equipped we
set out. The canoe was easily mana
ged while we kept our proper places,
and all went on finely until afternoon.
1t was very warm and sultry, and
had removed my pistol belt. and laid
it in the bottom Of the boat with my
rifle. Lari had just proposed going
back, when | saw a large flock of bird
settle down upon tree close by the
shore, and | bade my companion to
help me paddle in that direction. He
did not object for he wanted shot at
them himself.
'Wo had come to within dozen
fathoms of the shore, when quick.
loud cry from Lari startled me from
my aim, and the next instant the can
oe struck upon some substance.
"A rock?' ] asked.
a Hppopotamus! the Nubian shout.
ed, springing back towards me.
! Hardly had the words escaped his
lips before huge black head was lift.
ed above the gunwales, and as | cast
my eyes over into the water, / saw
the whole body Of the monster. Itwas
as large as an elephant, but ten times
more hideous in look. Its mouth was
open to distance of three feet or more
aud It's great teeth, all of foot in
length, looked like destruction ITSELF
He seized the bow of our boat in his
capacious jaws. and crushed it like an
egg shell. With all the force could
muster, / leaped into the water, and
struck out for the shore. pevc,
swan faster, though when I reached
the land ] found that the hippopoto
mus had not followed US, having sunk
to the bottom probably az soon as he
had destroyed the canoe.
we were now in quandary. W.
had come quite twelve or fifteen mile,
from the camp, and we must foot II
back the best way VIC could. If v,
could have followed the shore. the tas