His head was a foot nearer water-level; he had seen or heard something that alarmed him.

He was in the act of sinking under water when Fred made sure of the sights at last and the rifle spoke, ringing out into the still night like the crack of Judgment Day, more startling because we had waited so long for it in such suspense.
Instantly the amazing happened.

A yell burst out behind us that split the night apart.

Where stilly blackness had been, now four or five hundred crazy shadows leaped and danced, murdering the silence with marrow-curdling noises intended to express joy.
Out on the water the stricken hippo pitched head downward and plunged like a mountain of meat gone mad, thrashing up great waves that were darkened with his life-blood.

A whole herd, several hundred strong, emerged shoulder-high from the water to take one swift look at him and flee.