a gorge which formed a powerful rapid, I observed,
in a small pool just below the rapid, an immense
head of a hippopotamus close to a perpendicular
rock that formed a wall to the river, about six feet
above the surface. I pointed out the hippo to old
Abou Do,'who had not seen it.' At once the gravity
of the old Arab disappeared, and the energy of the.
hunter was exhibited as he motioned us to remain,
while he ran nimbly behind the thick screen of bushes
for about a hundred and fifty yards below the spot
where the hippo was unconsciously basking, with his
ugly head above the surface. Plunging into the rapid
torrent, the veteran hunter was carried some distance
down the stream, but breasting the powerful current,
he landed upon the rocks on the opposite side, and
retiring.to some distance from the river, he quickly
advanced towards the.'spot beneath which the hippopotamus
was lying. I had a fine view of the scene,
as I was lying concealed exactly opposite the hippo,
who had disappeared beneath the water. Abou Do
now stealthily approached the ledge of rock beneath
which he had expected to see the head of the
animal; his long sinewy arm was raised, with the
harpoon ready to strike, as he carefully advanced.
At length he reached the edge of the perpendicular
rock; the hippo had vanished, but far from exhibiting
surprise, the old Arab remained standing
on the sharp ledge, unchanged in attitude.. No
figure of bronze could have been more rigid than
that of the old river-king, as he stood erect upon.