The National tribune., 1899-04-06

It's eyes are quite keen and their range of
vision is extensive; moreover, this animal
can only he fired at effectively when the
hunter faces it. Then bullet placed high
up toward the crown and exactly on a middle
line, will readily pass through comparatively
hin fiOntai plates into its brain.
Almost at any hour during day OF night
river-horses may be heard in places where
they are plentiful. splashing about and utter
ing loud, neighing shorts. These are often
very noisy ANIMALS and bulls frequently
put themselves into those blind, ferce;sa;s
unprOvoked RACES that pre-eminently dis
tineuish both species of the black African
rhinoceros Nevertheless, it is rather tame
work for an experienced hunter of large game
to stalk Eirpo;iOtami, and lmt for the good
food they supply, together with possibility
of getting oneself into danger. few true sports
men would lake any satisfaction in going
after this kiId of game.
To revive the scenes of such an adventure,
however, will bring TO view much that is
wild, picturesque and unusual in most mems
experience of life; so, then, this is the way in
which three bull hippopotami were shot not
very long ago:
The Arabs had an attack Of what is ap-
propriately called meat hunger "a crav-
ing for animal food common enough through
out Africa, where tribes are poorly-armed,
unski,ifil as hunters, and often compelled to
eat vegetable matter until they Became
wild for change of diet On this occasion
their desires made them importunate; there
fore, each infdel gentleman, as the natives
call Christians whom they respect, took up
his rifle IT Was an easy matter 10 get op-
posite the pool where these animals were
dispoiting themselves; yet the rivers bank
being both too high and not near enough to
fire from, it became necessary that an ap-
proach should be made through rather
dense reed-patch growing below.
Now, nyonc entering this brake did so at
the peril OF his life. The hippopotamus is
an uncertain sort of beast; sometimes travel
ing long distances inland, often living up on
sandhanks, always 10 be expected whore
aquatic vegetation forms thick jungle. and
where 1t woad be about as well 10 come un-
awares npon tiger There is no telling be-
forehand whether it will charge or not, and
II u does so, the situation could scarcely be
more desperate. On favorable ground there
would rdly be chance of escaping by
running; while here any attempt in that di-
rertion must necessarily prove futile. More
over, tie brute comes at you with gaming
jaws, and its head thrown back at an angle
that eiIccually prevents bullet from reach
ing the brain.
NO mi>cdance took place on this occasion.
however. These leviatlans, some halfim
mersed, others with only their heads visible.
wee completely unconscious Of danger. Thus
there was no difficulty in getting an aim. and
when the ritcs cracked, two sank like stores.
All except one, indeed, disappeared imme- |
diaiely. That creature turned away as the
trigger was pressed; so instead of sinking. it |
went into paroXvsm of tremendous .strnn
glings; threw its body nearly ont of water
plunged amidst cataracts of spray. Now
head up, and now with legs kicking in the
air, this frantic beast mot by any means
mortaliy wounded, though heavy ball
struck fairly upon its skull continued these
gyraiions until the shots first effects were
over, and then getting on shore, tore or over
land towards a neishboring pool
HIppopatami can almost ipstantaneously
inhale enough air to last during five. or even
eight, minutes submergence, and ut the end
OF this time, those uninjured came up that
Is, Their nos;rlls appeared, while every other
part remained under the surface. But no
one had designs upon them now, rs enough
meat was already secured. In a short time
the sunken bodies would generate gases
sufficient to float, after which. and when
towed ashore, there was ready. crowd to
drag them up and begin their usual revolving
performances. Under such circumstances
these natives are more like furnished wolves
fayenins around prey, than human beings
Naked and befouled, they shrek, struggle,
fight, inside and out of reeSing carcasses,
until nothing is left except the bones; then
all gorge themselves into stupor. 1t does not
answer to get very close 10 the picturesque
Arab, either physically, mentally, or morally
There is another style of hippopotamus
hunting, however, one in which skill and
courage play much more conspicuous part
than they do either on such occasions as this,
or du ring almost any other contests between
men and formidable wild beasts Howartis-
professional hunters of river-horses-pertorm