Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-14

thought to myself when first I prodded the
hippo. But I had not dared to finish the
thought. A few minutes later the rising waters
made my premonition come true. The hippo
gurgled to the top struggled to breast the dis
lance to the edge of his prison, gripped the
banks with his forepaws and mouth, followed,
after a tusse, with his rear feet, and walked
right away from under eyes.
THE boys shouted in hysteria. This tragedy
it must be prevented. So Pea Soup figured,
as he dashed out in front of the advancing
hippo.
ofdt-boy-lofHt!" I cried meaning, Get
out OF the way!" for realized that many men
unarmed on slippery ground are no match for
single hippo if he decides to fight.
But Pea Soup paid no heed to my shout.
The enraged animal made for him. There was
a furry the push of a powerful head. Then
came the blur of mixing limbs, now head, now
foot in air, while the lad speeded with a Shiny
somerSault into the pit
I rushed toward him as the other boys fell
back. knew that if the hippo turned upon
him it might mean ruin for all of us. But the
hippo mercifully Topped ahead toward the
river, leaving me to fish for poor Pea Soup.
Soon he came up, wet and shaken. I was SOL
EMMY grateful.
Again our prize had escaped. AS fell asleep
that night knew that If the rains persisted I
should fail of my hippo. But, fortunately fate
shuffied the cards once more. Next day
awoke to the sunshine that promised success
There was, however, trouble in the village.
Chief Bauio had departed for a distant con-
claye with other native leaders, and the mis-
chief had begun to brew as soon as his back
was turned. One of the young leaders of the
Purrah Bush, secret society of men, had died
very suddenly. Word rippled around that he
had been poisoned. The hysteria increased
until the evening, when the witch doctor
0OnneO nd he Of rLyarI
up their emotions to the weird devil dance
Everywhere mad voices called for the poisoner
to declare himself. Cries rang out to the &C
compartment of the growl of the hippo far
upstream. or the distant reviling of the hyena.
The night was alive
In the morning Bosambo came to me after
his inspection ''MaSSa, trigger spring one
time no wait look down in trap. He there,
rascal for true" He pointed upstream We
started out again, silently because of past
failures.
1t was sort of anti-climax that awaited
us when we finally reached the pit. wretched
old man had fallen within and was looking up,
whites of eyes wide with terror. 1 ordered the
boys to help him out and returned to the village
for my belated Siesta.
But L was awakened shortly by wild cries.
accusations and threats. Outside I found a
group manhandling the poor old fellow of the
pit He was the poisoner, they were mumbling.
1t was he who had killed the Purrah leader.
ii0SeciSu W rescue hliIl anu the men Will
drew to the palaver hut still nursing their
hysteria.
And then just as the feeling at the palaver
hut came to head word was received that
Chief Bauio was on his way home. AS soon as
he arrived, got his ear. I shall always admire
him for what happened next. born leader
he strobe toward the men, his arms raised.
"Cut the palaver-oue time!" was the way Hec-
tor TRANSLATED nfS StGdA Tor me. They scurried
off. The old man pottereR away into the dark
ness, saved for this time at least I fell asleep.