CROCODILES 133 



watering-place, where the half-filled gourd was 

 found at the water's edge. 



As our boats drew up to the landing at Nimule 

 I noticed women dipping up water with gourd 

 shells fastened to the ends of long poles, and 

 learned that such caution was necessary because 

 of the danger from crocodiles. Only a few days 

 before a woman had been seized and carried away 

 by a croc, and we were told that these animals 

 were particularly dangerous at this place. 



A few years ago and this is only one of 

 many similar instances a boy seated on the 

 gunwale of a Soudan boat was dangling his feet 

 over the side. Suddenly a croc threw itself 

 out of the water, and, snatching the lad by the 

 legs, dragged him in. A native sailor saw the 

 tragedy and plunged in after the boy but was 

 unable to save him. 



Two Boganda lads about ten years old were 

 fishing in a little estuary of the White Nile near 

 Nimule. Tiring of their unsuccessful efforts, 

 boy-like, they romped up and down the shore. 

 They were chasing each other close to the 

 water's edge when a croc's tail whipped around 

 and knocked one of them into the water. His 

 spunky companion grabbed him by the leg; 



