The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-11-13


companion told me to do. Seguini, the
brother, noiselessly coiled the harpoon
rope so that it would run out easily.
The most perfect quiet was observed, as
even a splash or a strange, sudden shadow
would scare the herd and put them to
flight. and our chance would be lost for
the day.
When at last the brute was so near that
] could almost have touched him Makata,
with one movement, rose to his full hight
and hurled the harpoOn. As he did so he
made Kissing sound as If he were groom
ing horse With dull thud the heavy
spear sank into the neck OF the brute and
quivered with the force that had driven it
home.
Stunc by the strange and unexpected
pain, the animal gave convulsive spring,
Shook from the rude socket the head of
the harpoon, which still remained at
tached to the shaft by its many stranded
rope, and dashed down stream at full
speed Seguini paid out the line rapidly,
while Makata and l sprang into the canoe
and continued to pay it out as he followed
us But as he took his seat he held the
line taut, and the hippopotamus drew the
canoe from off the raft OF rushes and towed
it along as if it were a cork.
1t was like whaling on small scale.
Now and again, as our speed became too
great, or the hippopotamus made sudden
turn to left or right, the rope was paid out
or hauled in. Our object was 10 tire the
monster out sufficiently to be able to steer
or drive it into shallow water.
Our party of three squatted in a frail
craft, which apparently was not large
enough TO carry a boy. Seguini sat in the
bow. his whole attention directed to the
rope, and between his knees rested a
heavy-bladed, keen-edged knife; l sat
amidship with rifle across my knees and
the water washed my finger tips as |
gripped the gunwale. In the stern stood
NIakata with the paddle in his hand and
harpoon at his feet. His face was ablaze
with excitement, and he looked like an
avenging demon.
A noise upstream attracted our atten-
ton, and we saw another hippopotamus
with a canoe towing behind it.
"Take care~ shouted our steersman,
''you viii run foul of US. Steady, Seguini,
steady wait till / give the word-now.
then-cutw
As he spoke the infuriated brute made
straight at us, Open-mouthed. Seguini
severed the rope attached to our animal at
one cut, and, with def turn of his pad
die, Nakata shot the light canoe sixty feet
from the threatening beast. Our course
was still in the direction of our wounded
animal, above whose back floated and
swung the harpoon shaft held by the fine
strands to the iron head buried in his
neck.
Clumsy as the hippopotami appear, they
swim with astonishing rapidity, and it was
only after a long chase that our light boat
caught up with it, At Makata's direction,
I passed the harpoon to Seguini, who
stood up in the bow with one foot slightly
raised, and the spear poised above his
head
"Sling your rife on your back, boss"
said he; CHS strength is falling, and when
he feels the iron he may dash at the
canoe"
As secured my rife we ran alongside
the hippopotamus, and Seguini deity
placed the harpoon almost side by side
with the other one. The brute turned
round and came at the boat Makata
seized a spear and thrust it deep into his
throat. Then In fash the boat was over
turned and we were floundering in the
water.
"Dive, boss, divel" said voice, and I
obeyed as well as was able.
When | came up found Makata by my
side. ready to help me if necessary. Sc
guini was near the shore. CARRYING the
ropes end in his teeth and the hippopota-
mus was engaged in rending the frail
canoe. Had l not dived the beast might
have wreaked his vengeance on me in
stead of on the boat But he does not fol-
low his enemies beneath the surface, and
the natives, in case of an upset, dive and
hang on to roots and grass to keep them
selves under until he begins TO break up
the boat.
II was not easy to swim with the heavy
rife on my back. felt it gradually drag
me down, and in my struggle 10 get it
clear unfortunately attracted the brute's
attention.
Swim, bossl' shouted Makata. and he
50 called to his brother to make haste TO
~. shore.
was no chance to escape by speed,
swan steadily along and had not
- score of yards before Makata
slipped back ehind me, and, taking the
smear from his mouth, prepared to meet
the enraged giant in his native element.
/ must own that had been badly scared
since the upset, but as soon as / saw the
plucky black drop behind TO cover my re-
treat / lost my nervousness, and. turning
round, began to tread water and 10 watch
the strange fight.
The beast swan rapidly on with his
head level with the water until he was
WliDlu ten IceI Oi the DlhCk. linen ne
opened his terrible mouth and made
straight for him. Carefully timing his
movements Makata suddenly sank below
the surface, and in another second a ter
rife plunge and an angry snort from the
hippopotamus showed that the blacks
spear had been driven home. AS soon as
Makata's head reappeared the brute made
for him again, and, TO my horror, l saw
that thfblack's spear was broken off at
the head.
Nv feet touched something in the water,
and the next moment was standing on
she submerged trunk of tree that was
slowly drifting down with the current.
Twice slipped from its Shiny surface and
twice | regained my footing. Then my
foot rested upon the fork of bough which
gave me footing.
] saw Makata as he dived 10 and fro,
pursued by the frantic animal, but the
brave blacks strength was giving out. Sc
guini had gained the shore, passed the
rope round a tree, and was hauling in the
slack for dear life but it was evident that
he would not get purchase In time to be
OF much use.
IL was then, as II by fash OF memory,
that / felt the rifle in my hands. / knew
my waterproof cartridges would explode,