The National tribune., 1894-01-11
HUNTING HIFPoPoTAMI.
Rare Sport of Beats Crew In the Bazaseta
Isiands.

Rare Sport OF 8 Boats Crew In the Bazaseta
| Islands.
"stern ALI" suddealy1 shouted the mate as
| our boat brought up. "all Standing against
some object which we had not been able to see
1 on account of the mfftk fness of the water, the
| collision nearly throwing US down into the
bottom of the boat.
| We were going ashore for q few hours at the
| Bszaseta Islands when this happened.
As we backed off, an eaormous beast slowly
| raised his head above the water. gave loud
snort. and went dopDn again almost before we
| could get a fair look At IT, o'i
| "What is it?" was now Che question, which
| no one could answertn
| Whatever it is" said the mate. whose whal-
| ing mood was up, "is it comes within reach of
| my iron, I'll make fast tot it; so pull ahead"
/ We were again under headway, keeping q
bright lookout for the appearance of the stran-
ger.
| "There they are, whole SCHOOL," said the
| mate eagerly pointing in shore. where the
glisteaiDg white water showed that a number
OF the nondescripts were evidently enjoying
themselves. Now boys, pull hard, and we'll
som try their mettle."
"Theres something just ahead" said the
boat-steerer
Pull easy, lads / see him. There--way
eDough-there's his back; it's hippopota-
mus!"
"Stern aIrl" shouted he, as he darted his
| iron into a back broad as small sperm
whales Stern all! Back water-baek water,
every mani" And the infuriated beast made
desperate lunges in every direction, making
/ the white water fly almost equal to q whale.
We could now see the whole shape of the
creature. as in agony and surprise no raised
himself high above the surface. We all recog-
nized at once the hippepotamus.
Our subject soon got little cooler, and Civ
ing a savage roar. bent his head round as he
1pz shank nf ba iron hal ic
With one jerk. he drew it out of bis bleeding
quarter, and shaking it savagely, sank down to
the bottom. The water was here but about two
fathoms deep. and could see the direction
in which he was travelling along by line of
bleed as well as by the air bubbles which rose
to the surface as he breatbed.
"Give me another iron, Charley; and we'll
NOT give him chance to pull IL out next
time"
The iron was handed up, and we slowly sailed
in the direction which our prize was following
aiong the bottom
" Here's two three of them astern of u.s."
said the boat steerer.
Just then two more rose one on either side of
the boat, In rather unpleasant proximity. and
before we had begun to realize situation,
the wounded beast. unable any longer to stay
beneath the surface, came up to breathe just
ahead OF us.
:" Pull ahead little Lay the boat around,
deem in the neck of our victim
With roar louder than a dozen OF the wild
bulls of Madagascar, the hippopotamus made
for the beat.
" Back water !-back water, / say! Take
down this boat sail and stern all--stern all for
your lives!" as two mere appeared by the
lows evidently preparing to assist their COM
rade.
He was making the water fly I'm all directions,
and. having failed to reach the boat, was now
vainiv essaying to grasp the iron.
Stick out line ill s.e gst clear of the school.
and then we'll pull upop the other side of this
I. fellow. and I'll soon settle him with lancet"
This was done; and we again hauled up on
the still furious beast, the mate poised his
bright lance for moment 4then sent it dep
into his heart. 7't
With Il tremeDdousr0aF and desperate final
struggle OF scarcely minutes duration, our
prize gave up the ghost and. after sinking
momentariy, rose again To- the surface. lying
upon his side. just as the whale does when he
Gie-.
On getting it ashore we found our prize to be
a few inrhes less thdh IS feet long from his
head to the commandments of his short, hairless
tail. We coHld not sneasure his grtb but bis
buik was enormous. sHis jcgs were dispropor-
tionately short. giving him, conformity with
his short neck and very barge head, an awk-
ward, st0lld appearanfe, which the agility he
displayed in the water by means justified
We had not been long oil shore when sew
eral natives made their appearance. They testi-
fed much joy at the sight of our prize. and
went through the most lively pantomime,
from which we gathered that the beasts were
great plague TO them. that the meat was good To
eat, and that they wonld like portion. The
hint was not lost upon us, who had not tasted
fresh beef for two months.
What say you, boys; will you try piece
OF hippopotamous steak ?" proposed the mate;
and as no one dssenied, got the axes, and
a ter considera lie chopping and hacking got off
the head. when were enabled TO cut our
selves about Is pounds of what appeared to be
tender meat off the animals loreqnarter.
Our steaks cooked for supper, and
whether l. WAS that we were blessed with
unusually good appetite or that the meat was
actually well favored certain it is that they
tasted delicious, and that we ate heartily of
them.-Y Yankee Blade