ud snorting and rustling in the reeds, and a
hippopotamus rushed at them, giving the lads such an opportunity that
they both sent a bullet into it as it entered the water, and they saw it
no more.

Meanwhile the six hunters had not only killed their hippo, but had seen
the monster shot by the boys aground, quite dead, upon one of the sandy
bits of land, and they had steered their own trophy to its side, where
they were busy drawing out the spears with which it bristled, as the
king's canoe came up.

A rope was made fast to each of the monsters then, and they were towed
down stream and out into the big river, where, upon their reaching the
town, an attack was made upon the great beasts, and the flesh hewed off
amidst a great deal of shouting, singing, and drumming, the boys feeling
no great temptation to eat hippopotamus, but being proud enough to
display the head of the monster they had shot--a head that was even
startling in its size and weight.

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.

A ROW UP STREAM, AND A RUN DOWN.

Naturally attracted by his sons' success, Mr Rogers agreed to go up the
river with the king on an expedition to last a couple of days, during
which they were to shoot hippopotamus, crocodile, and perhaps get a shot
at a giraffe; and in due time a couple of large canoes were got ready,
and in one was placed a tub of spirit for curiosities, and a chest to
hold the skins of any choice birds that might be shot.

In the other Mr Rogers had his guns and ammunition, with necessary
stores in a chest; and so as to superintend and direct the men, it was
settled that the king should go in one boat, Mr Rogers and Dinny in the
other, each boat having four stout rowers to handle the long paddles
they used.

All in good time they started, greatly to Dinny's disgust; for he felt
certain that the canoe would sooner or later overturn, and that he
should be shot right into the mouth of one or other of the crocodiles.

"They'll know fast enough, Masther Dick," he said piteously; "and you'll
see if they don't come following the canoe like sharks afther a boat.
Oh, murther, it was a sad day whin I took sarvice with the masther."

Dinny took care, however, that Mr Rogers should not hear any of his
plaints, and in due time the canoes started, and went well for the first
part of the journey, the men paddling and singing, and a halt being made
for midday and evening meal, which was made savoury with the large ducks
that abounded in t