230 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA chap. 



was very much astonished at this, as I could not 

 understand how a beast wounded so badly could 

 get away so quickly ; but after searching in every 

 direction I gave him up and turned my attention 

 to the selection of our camping ground, which 

 I chose close by, under the shade of some large 

 trees. 



As soon as the tents were pitched Nyumbu went 



down to the river to fish as usual, and was just about 



to step off the bank on to what he took to be a log, 



when the apparent log gave a slight movement and 



he saw that it was the back of a crocodile ! The 



man was luckily able to draw back, and rushed up 



the slope, calling out, '' Bivana, mamba! niainba!'' 



("Master, a crocodile! a crocodile!"). We all 



happened to be close at hand, so I seized my rifle 



and ran down to the river, and seeing the hideous 



creature's back close under the bank quickly put a 



bullet into it. Instantly there was a terrific heaving 



and writhing in the water, which the reptile 



lashed about in all directions, though he seemed 



unable to get away. Seeing this Abbudi ran down 



to the water's edge, stepped on to a bough which 



projected out over the river and thrust his spear 



with all his might deep into the creature's back. 



The moment the crocodile felt the steel he twisted 



himself round on his tail with indescribable speed 



and viciousness, snapped at the spear, whipped it 



