During his sally upon the shore two of the hunters had secured the ropes of the harpoons that had been fastened in his body just before his charge.

He was now fixed by three of these deadly instruments; but suddenly one rope gave way, having been bitten through by the enraged beast, who was still beneath the water.

Immediately after this he appeared on the surface, and, without a moment's hesitation, he once more charged furiously from the water straight at the hunters, with his huge mouth open to such an extent that he could have accommodated two inside passengers.

Suleiman was wild with delight, and springing forward lance in hand, he drove it against the head of the formidable animal, but without effect.

At the same time Abou Do met the hippo sword in hand, reminding me of Perseus slaying the sea-monster that would devour Andromeda; but the sword made a harmless gash, and the lance, already blunted against the rocks, refused to penetrate the tough hide.