Page:Hunting and trapping stories; a book for boys (IA huntingtrappings00pric).pdf/28

HIPPOPOTAMUS HUNTING

line and bladder float attached. They swim up close to their victim and plunge the lances in. The hippo dives at once and remains under water some minutes. The hunters then get a second pair of lances and if they have luck plunge them in too. The lances have very sharp blades and are weighted at the end so that every movement of the hippo makes the wound deeper. The bladders attached to the lines float on the surface and show where the hippo is lying. At last, weakened by its struggles and loss of blood the creature dies. Ropes are attached to the lance lines and the body is hauled ashore by many willing hands.

Sometimes when a hippo is attacked at short range it will climb out of the water and charge its enemies on land. It is a very unwise movement for the poor creature is then much easier to kill for it is clumsy and cannot turn quickly. The natives plaster its eyes with clay or sand and then they have it at their mercy.

Hippos are wonderfully good swimmers and moreover they are able to walk along the river beds in search of food. When they sleep they float in the water with nothing but their nostrils sticking out. If anything alarms them they dive at once and when they come to the surface they show nothing