tail hidden in the reeds. It was fifty yards away, and 

 from where I sat there was not much to aim at, as 

 a Martini bullet would glance from almost any part 

 of that polished hard case if it struck at such an 

 angle. 



I was sitting on the bank above the shelving beach 

 of the river on which a dense mass of reeds grew, and the 

 waving feathery tops partly obscured the sight. I know 

 the bullet hit him somewhere, because he bounded with 

 astonishing strength and activity several feet in the 

 air and his tail slashed through the reeds like a mighty 

 scythe. The huge jaws opened and he gave a horrible 

 angry bellow something between a roar and a snarl 

 as he plunged into the river, sending masses of spray 

 and water flying every way. He made straight across, 

 apparently at me, swimming on top of the water at 

 amazing speed and throwing up a wave on either side 

 and a white swirl of foam from the propelling tail. 



It was certainly a most surprising and unheard-of pro- 

 ceeding, and as he reached my side of the stream, and be- 

 cause hidden from me by the screen of reeds at my feet, 

 I turned and bolted. It may be that he came at me with 

 murderous intent ; or it may be that, blinded by rage 

 or pain, he came towards me simply because he happened 

 to be facing that way ; but, whatever the reason, it was 

 painfully clear that if he meant business he would be on 

 to me before it was possible to see him in the reeds. 

 That was enough for me. It had never occurred to 

 me that there was going to be any fun in this for the 

 crocodile ; but one's sense of humour and justice was 

 always being stimulated in the Bushveld. 



366 



