and tore seven planks from her side. The creature disappeared for a few seconds and then rose again, apparently intending to repeat the attack, but was deterred by the contents of a musket discharged in its face. The boat now rapidly filled, but as it was not more than an oar's length from the shore, they succeeded in reaching it before she sank. It was supposed that the keel touched the back of the animal, which irritating him occasioned this furious attack. Had he succeeded in getting his upper jaw above the gun whale, the whole broadside must have been torn out. The force of the shock from beneath, previously to the attack, was so violent, that the stern of the boat was almost lifted out of the water; and the midshipman steering was thrown overboard, but fortunately rescued before the irritated animal could seize him. The boat was hauled up on a dry spot, and her repairs immediately commenced. The tents were pitched, and those of the party that were not employed as carpenters amused themselves—the officers in shooting, and the men in strolling about the deserted country round them, being first ordered not to proceed out of hearing.
In another portion of his narrative the same traveller gives the following striking description of a hunt after these ferocious animals:—As all our attempts to obtain an hippopotamus had hitherto failed, and as we were not likely to meet with another opportunity, this being our last visit to Delagoa Bay, a party of officers volunteered for the chase, and were conveyed up the Dundas river in the "Albatross." The evening set in before they reached that part of the river where the hippopotami were the most abundant. Three parties
