^ Buffaloes and Crocodiles 



I remember very vividly one case in which I was 

 a witness of a crocodile's way with its victim. My 

 thirsty herd of cows had hastened down to the river 

 to drink after a lonp; march without water. But no, 

 they would not drink ! They sniffed at the water here 

 and there doubtfully, plainly scenting danger. Not 

 until some of my men threw stones into the water so- 

 as to scare away their unseen enemy would they quench 

 their thirst, proceeding then to graze by the river-bank. 



Some of the stragglers from my camp now appeared 

 on the scene with more cattle. A beautiful large coal- 

 black ox that I had long spared death on account 

 of his size approached the water. His sense of smell 

 told him he could drink there without danger ; besides,, 

 had not the whole herd, knee-deep in the ooze, 

 refreshed themselves at the same spot ? 



The huge body of the beast sank deep into the 

 mud. Hardly, however, had he dipped his nose when 

 I saw a tremendous crocodile slowly rise from the turbid 

 water, and in the self-same moment the bull, caught 

 by the snout, disappeared below the surface. The slippery 

 nature of the slanting bank made him an easy prey. 

 The whole proceeding took place so quickly before my 

 eyes that for an instant I stood there bewildered, not 

 knowing what to do. Quickly, however, recovering my 

 presence of mind I hurried to the edge of the bank, 

 but could see nothing but a few bubbles on the surface 

 of the muddy stream. There was nothing to be done. 

 Still, we hurriedly followed the stream for a little way, 

 and .saw right in front of us, close to the opposite bank, 



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