Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-07-03
4 IIIPP0POTAMUS OVERBOARD-EX
CITEMENT AT DETROIT.
tFron. the Detroit Free IRE AZ

From the Detroit Free rress
1t seems that in the transit of the circus now
performing here from Buffalo to this CITY, it
became necessary to send the elephants and
hipopotamus on II propeller, and they were
accordingly shipped Oh board the S. ID. Cald-
well. On Monday afternoon, as the steamer
was nearing this port, Il scene Of great excite
mcnt occurred. which NEARLY resulted in the
escape Of the huge bchemoth or hipopotamus
belonging to G. {. Quick ESD, and at present
forming one ofthe attractions of G. F. Bailcy's
quadruple circus.
The huge beast was shipped from Buffalo
on board the steamer, and as it was impossi-
bic to get his immense cage on board, that was
sent hy land, while his behemothship, accom-
panied by Ali, the Egyptian. his captor and
keeper, proceeded by water to Detroit Du-
ring the voyage it was noticed that the animal
continually looked loncingly towards tho
water, as though he would have given ono Of
his eye teeth for a plunge into the depths Of
the lake and ramble about its UNEMPLOYED bot
tom. No one supposed, however, that he
would yield to his ambitions tastes, and so no
extra watch was set upon him.
As the steamer ncarcd the city, and when
about three miles below the fort, crash and
then splash were heard from the side of the
boat toward the American shore. Everybody
rushed to the spot The place where the hip
popotamus had been confined was empty. The
beast, no longer able TO resist the temptation,
had burst his bonds and plunged into the river
resolved on an aquatic excursion.
The owner, who was on board looked the
picture of despair. Forty thousand dollars, to
say nothing ola large amount Of prospective
profits, had suddenly vamosed. As for Ali,
the Egyptian keeper, he was nearly frantic. In
q few moments, however. the mons,rous head
of the huge beast appeared above the surface
of the water. 4 general shout arose and Ali
was with great difficulty prevented from Jump
ing overheard in pursuit This companion and
beloved pet, while boat was lowered into
which he jumped and rowcd toward the beast,
who swan about in an ecstasy of delight.
AS the Egyptian commenced calling him by
fam liar names ut the sound of his voice the
monster stopped, looked around, and seemed
to wait for the boat to near him: but just as it
appeared within reaching. distance the hippo
pntamus gave plunge and once more aisap-
peared leaving whirlpool of seethng water
to mark the spot where he had gone down.
Nothing was seen of him now for u long time,
and they were about giving him up for lost,
when he suddenly made his appearance about
100 yards off, but nearer the shore than at
first. Ali again rowed towards him, calling
him as before; but again the beast lodged
him, and dived to the bottom of the river
Ali now made large circuit with his boat in
hopes of taking him by surprise as he came up
to breathe, but, as if aware of his intentions,
the hippopotamus rose at long distance off
and looked at his master cunningly and with
an expression which seemed to say, "No, you
don't"
For the third time Ali started in pursuit,
with result similar to that which had at
tended his other attempts to reeapture bis pet.