ken out of its socket remained
firmly fixed in the animal's body.

We ran along the island to watch the canoe as long as it remained in
sight, but it was towed so rapidly that it soon disappeared. Presently,
however, we saw another coming down the stream fast to a second
hippopotamus, not only the head but a considerable portion of the body
of which was floating above the water. The men in the canoe were
hauling themselves up closer to their prey, preparatory to plunging
their lances or harpoons into its body. I fancied that I could almost
distinguish the savage glance of the brute's eyes. Suddenly it stopped;
then, turning round, gave a rush at the canoe.

In vain the blacks slackened the rope, and seizing their paddles,
endeavoured to escape from it. With open mouth the hippopotamus rushed
on the boat, and, seizing it in its enormous jaws, crushed it up as if
it had been made of paper.

One poor fellow was caught; a fearful shriek was heard; and, directly
afterwards, we saw his body, cut in two, floating down the stream. The
other two men had disappeared, and we fancied must also have been
killed. Again and again the animal darted at the canoe, expending his
rage upon it.

While he was thus employed the two men rose to the surface and instantly
made for the shore, dragging the end of the rope by a path we had not
before observed, between the reeds. With wonderful activity they made
it fast to the trunk of a tree. Directly afterwards three other canoes
arrived, and the men, armed with harpoons and heavy spears, jumping on
shore, joined their companions in hauling in on the rope attached to the
hippopotamus. In vain the monster struggled, endeavouring to tear
itself away from the rope. The blacks with wonderful boldness rushed
into the water, darting their spears at it. It had seized the shaft of
the harpoon, which had broken in two, and was endeavouring to bite
through the rope.

Two other canoes now came up and their crews attacked the hippopotamus
in the rear. So engaged were the hunters that they did not observe us.
As we watched their proceedings it appeared very probable that in spite
of its wounds the hippopotamus would break away. Seeing this, my uncle
unslung his rifle and advanced towards the monster, which had already
severed several strands of the rope. As it opened its vast mouth, he
fired down its throat, and it almost instantly, giving another
convulsive struggle, rolled over.

His