Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-03-04
ROBERT AMES BENNETT
Illustrations BY
RAY WALTERS

But / say, Blake" replied Win
thrope, Il see animals over in the cop
pieces, and you should know that am
physically unable"
Nothing but antelope" interrupted
Blake. 1--WE seen them enough now
to know them twice as far off. And
you can bet on it they'd not be there
II any dangerous beast was in smell
ing distance"
THAT is so clever Of you, Mr.
Blake remarked Miss Leslie.
Simple enough when you happen to
think of It," responded Blake. Yes;
the only thing you've got to look out
for's the ticks in the grass They'll
keep you interested. They bit me up
in great shape
He scowled at the recollection.
nodded by way of emphasis. and was
off like shot. The edge of the plain
beneath the cliff was strewn with
rocks, among which, even with Miss
Leslies help, Winthrope could pick
his way but slowly. Before they were
clear Of the rough ground, they saw
Blake disappear among the man.
groves.
The ticks proved less annoying than
they had apprehended after Blake's
warming But when they approached
the mouth OF the river, they were
alarmed to hear above the roar of the
surf, loud snorting, such as could only
be made by large animals. Fearful
lest Blake had reused and angered
some forest beast they veered to the
right and ran to hide behind clump
OF thorns. Winthrope sank down ex-
hausted the moment they reached
cover; but Miss Leslie crept to the
far end Of the thicket and peered
around
ooh, look here!" she cried IT'S a
whole herd of elephants trying to
cross the river mouth where we did,
and they're being drowned, poor
things."
"Elephants?" painted Winthrope, and
he dragged himself forward beside
her. why, so there are; quite a
uIofC Vi llC btdSlo Itl, L DIuoJ Say
they appear smaller-ah, yes; see
their heads. They must be the hippos
Blake saw"
Those ugly creatures? | once saw
some at the ZOO Just the same, they
will be drowned. Some are right in
the surf"
Il can't say, I'm sure, Miss Gene
We've. but | have an idea that the
beasts are quite at home in the wa
ter. | fancy they enjoy surf bathing
as keenly as ourselves"
Il do believe you are right. There
is one going in from the quiet water
But look at those funny little ones on
the backs of the others!"
Must be the baby hippos," replied
Winthrope, indifferently eff you
please, I'll take a pull at the flask 1
am very dry"
When he had half emptied the flask,
he stretched out in the shade to doze
But Miss Leslie continued to watch
the movements of the snorting hippos,
amused by the ponderous antics of the
grown ones in the surf, and the comic
appearance of the barrellke infants
as they mounted the backs of their
obese mothers.
Presently Blake came out from
among the mangroves. and walked
across to the beach, few yards away
from the huge bathers. To all ap-
pearances. they paid as little attention
to him as he to them. Miss Leslie
glanced about at Winthrope He was
fast asleep. She waited a few mo-
ments to see If the hippopotam would
attack Blake. They continued to ig-
more him. and gaining courage from
their indifference. she stepped out
from behind the thicket, and advanced
to where Blake was crouched on the
beach. When she came up. she saw
beside him a heap of oysters. which
he was opening in rapid succession.
ITO ho continual