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CHAPTER XXXIV. 



ROBBING A CROCODILE'S NEST. 



After a mile or more of reeds, the view contracted in 

 width, and the banks became sandy bluffs of various 

 heights, none of them exceeding twelve to fifteen 

 feet. My attendants had by this time become quite 

 assured of their safety, so enjoyed the sail amazingly ; 

 still their eyes were on the qui vive for anything that 

 promised sport. Thus Sunday called my attention 

 to a very large crocodile that was obviously intent 

 on the occupation of scratching up the sand. My 

 attendant and the Mantatee held a brief suppressed 

 conversation, the result of which was that both con- 

 cluded that the saurian had been laying her eggs, 

 and was now covering them. There is nothing that 

 a native regards as a greater delicacy, in the food 

 supply, than these eggs, and, in truth, they are not 

 bad when fresh, having a slight custard flavour about 

 them far from unpleasant. As both my companions 

 had no more idea of guiding a raft than they had of 

 steering a steamship, the task of getting on shore 

 devolved upon me. The sweep was lengthy, but 

 cumbersome, the day a scorcher, and, as to myself, 

 " not very fit." Moreover, the crutch I had fixed 

 in which to work the oar was far from firm, so 



