“What do you mean to say you keep, tame elephants?” inquired Crawford.
“No, our game is somewhat smaller than the usual run of elephants; but come along.”
They had been taking a circuit of the farm on horseback. They now turned down along the bank of the river. After going a couple of miles, they reached a small lake, filled by the overflowing of the stream. It was mostly surrounded by a thick border of reeds, but there was one spot which enabled them to approach close to the water. Presently a huge head rose above the surface, then another appeared.
“Why those are hippopotami!” exclaimed Crawford.
“Yes, they are the game I spoke of,” said Rupert. “They have been born since we came here, and have been so accustomed to us from their infancy, that they are now as tame as cows, and never think of attacking us, although I do not know what they would do to a stranger. Many will come when we call them, as they have been used to be fed by us, though when provisions have occasionally been scarce we have been compelled to kill a few of them. The rest, however, do not resent the death of their relatives; indeed, they benefit by it; for were they to increase much above their present number, they would not find sufficient food, and would be obliged to migrate, with the risk of being trapped.”
“Do you mean to say that the flesh of those huge beasts is fit for food?” asked Crawford.
“Most certainly; it is equal to the best beef, or rather veal, which it more nearly resembles.”
As they were leaving the neighbourhood of the pool, Crawford exclaimed, “Did you see any one stealing behind those bushes out there? I am nearly certain I did.”
“Yes, I caught a glimpse, not only of one black fellow, but of two, and there may be more,” said Rupert.
“Let us rout out the rascals,” cried Crawford; and on the impulse of the moment he was about to stick spurs into the flanks of his horse, and to dash on towards the bush, behind which the natives had concealed themselves.