, the party were immediately greeted by the
hippopotamus, who snorted and roared and quickly dived, and the float
was seen running along the surface, showing his course as the cork of a
trimmer does that of a pike when hooked. Several times the hippo
appeared, but invariably faced them, and, as Mr Baker could not obtain
a favourable shot, he sent the old hunter across the stream to attract
the animal's attention. The hippo, turning towards the hunter, afforded
Mr Baker a good chance, and he fired a steady shot behind the ear. The
crack of the ball, in the absence of any splash from the bullet, showed
him that the hippopotamus was hit, while the float remained stationary
upon the surface, marking the spot where the grand old bull lay dead
beneath. The hunter obtaining assistance from the camp, the
hippopotamus, as well as another which had been shot, were hauled on
shore. The old bull measured fourteen feet two inches, and the head was
three feet one inch from the front of the ear to the edge of the lip, in
a straight line.

Though hippopotami are generally harmless, solitary old bulls are
sometimes extremely vicious, and frequently attack canoes without
provocation.

Many of the elephant hunts in which Mr Baker engaged were exciting in
the highest degree, and fraught with no small amount of danger.

Among the Aggageers was a hunter, Rodur Sherrif, who, though his arm had
been withered in consequence of an accident, was as daring as any of his
companions.

The banks of the Royan had been reached, where, a camp having been
formed, Mr Baker and his companions set out in search of elephants. A
large bull elephant was discovered drinking. The country around was
partly woody, and the ground strewed with fragments of rocks, ill
adapted for riding. The elephant had made a desperate charge,
scattering the hunters in all directions, and very nearly overtaking Mr
Baker. He then retreated into a stronghold composed of rocks and uneven
ground, with a few small leafless trees growing in it. The scene must
be described in the traveller's own words. "Here the elephant stood
facing the party like a statue, not moving a muscle beyond the quick and
restless action of the eyes, which were watching on all sides. Two of
the Aggageers getting into its rear by a wide circuit, two others, one
of whom was the renowned Rodur Sherrif, mounted on a thoroughly-trained
bay mare, rode slowly towards the animal. Coolly the mare advance