The mauve hides of partially submerged hippopotamuses poked above the surface of the Kingani River like bulbous stepping stones. Stanley, fancying himself a big game hunter in the manner of his rival Kirk, fired on them with his shotgun. The metal pellets only irritated the hippos. Some moved away. Most ignored him. One angry male, however, bellowed at Stanley. The journalist switched to the more powerful Winchester, a forty-four caliber Henry Model with a twenty-seven inch barrel, and shot the hippo dead.

From 'Into Africa The Epic Adventures of Standley and Livingstone' by Martin Dugard.