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 into the cabin, where ammunition and loaded rifles were always kept; but for a few minutes the commotion raised in the water by the furious beast was so great that no aim could be taken with certainty. Then the shell, which had always proved so deadly, was sent at him, but produced no effect except to make him still more wild, and



HOW THE HIPPOPOTAMUS ATTACKED THE BOAT

the boat rocked wildly about as if blown by a hurricane. Several other shells were fired at him, but for a long time he gave no sign that any of them had touched him, then he slowly drew himself out of the water, and lay still snorting in the swampy grass. Taking for granted, rather rashly, that he had received his death-blow, Baker