To avoid this, it is generally recommended to travel by day near the bank, and by night in the middle of the stream.

As a rule, these animals flee the approach of man.

The "solitaires", however, frequent certain localities well known to the inhabitants on the banks, and, like the rogue elephants, are extremely dangerous.

We came, at this time, to a canoe which had been smashed to pieces by a blow from the hind foot of one of them.

I was informed by my men that, in the event of a similar assault being made upon ours, the proper way was to dive to the bottom of the river, and hold on there for a few seconds, because the hippopotamus, after breaking a canoe, always looks for the people on the surface, and, if he sees none, he soon moves off.