Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-08-10
HIPPOPOTAMUS HUNTING.


An African Explorer Sees the Clever Cap
ture of a Huge Specimen.
An African explorer went out one
morning on hippopotsmus hunt, &C
companied by some of his followers,
one of them being an Arab patriarch
of threescore years and ten. The old
man, who had Invested himself of al
most all of the little apparel that was
customary among his people, stepped
as lightly as goat from rock to rock
along the rough margin of the river.
When they had walked about two miles
they discovered herd of hippopotamus
in pool below a rapid.
Our old Neptune did not condescend
to bestow the slightest attention when
pointed out these animals, says the
explorer. They were too wide awake.
But he Immediately quilted the rivers
ID, and we followed him quietly be-
hind the fringe of bushes upon the
border, from which we carefully ex-
amined the water
About half mile below this spot, as
we clambered over the intervening
rocks through gorge which formed a
powerful rapid, | observed, in small
pool just below the rapid, the immense
head of hippopotamus close to a per-
pcndicular rock that formed wall to
the river, about six feet above the sur.
face. pointed out the hippopotamus
to old Abou Do who did not see it.
At once the gravity of the old Arat
disappeared, and the energy of the
hunter was exhibited as he motioned
us to remain, while he ran nimbly be
hind the thick screen of bushes fol
about hundred and fifty yards below
the spot where the hippopotamus was
unconsciously basking, with his ugly
head above the surface.
Plunging into the rapid torrent, The
veteran hunter was carried some dis
lance down the stream, and landed up
on the rocks on the opposite side
Then, retiring 10 some distance from
the river he quickly advanced toward
the spot beneath which the hippopOta
mus was lying. had fine view o
the scene, as ] lay concealed exactly
opposite the creature, who had disap
peared beneath the water
Abou Do stealthily approached the
ledge of rock beneath which he had cX
pected to see the head of the animal
His long, sinewy arm was raised, will
the spear ready to strike, as he care
fully advanced. At length he reached
the edge of the perpendicular rock
the hippopotanus had vanished, bu
far from exhibiting surprise, the OLE
Arab remained standing on the sharl
ledge, unchanged in attitude.
No figure Of bronze could have beer
more rigid than that of the old rive
king, as he stood erect upon the rocl
with the left foot advanced and TIL
spear poised in his right hand abov
his head, while in the left he held tn
loose coils of rope attached to the am
batch buoy.
For about three minutes he stood Xix
a statue, gazing into the clear dee
water. It's surface was still smoot
When suddenly the right arm Of tn
statue descended like lightning, an
the spear shot perpendicularly into tn
pool with the speed of an arrow.
What river-hend answered to tn
summons? In an instant an enormou
pair Of open jaws appeared, followe
by the ungainly head and form of tn
furious hippopotamus, who, spring
ing half out of the water, lashe
it into foam, and charged straight u
the violent rapids,
never could have imagined that s
unwield1y an animal could show sue
speed. 1t was fortunate for our oil
Neptune that he was secure upon tn
high ledge of rock for if he had bee
in the path of the infuriated bcas
there would have been an end OIL Ado
Do.
The old man plunged into the dee
pool just quilted by the hippopctamu
and landed upon our side, while in I'll
enthusiasm of the moment waved N
cap above my head, and gave him
British cheer as he reached the Shor
Youth S Companion.