chap. in. A MONSTER CROCODILE. 6l 



that had sprung up was gradually moving the carcass 

 of the buffalo away. This I slowly followed, until it 

 at length rested in a wide belt of rushes which grew 

 upon the shallows near the shore. I pushed the 

 canoe into the rushes within four yards of the carcass, 

 keeping to windward to avoid the sickening smell. 



I had not been long in this position before the 

 body suddenly rolled over as though attacked by 

 something underneath the water, and the next moment 

 the tall reeds brushed against the sides of the canoe, 

 being violently agitated in a long line, evidently by a 

 crocodile at the bottom. 



The native in the stern grew as pale as a black 

 can turn with fright, and instantly began to paddle 

 the canoe away. This, however, I soon replaced in 

 its lormer position, and then took his paddle away to 

 prevent further accidents. There sat the captain of 

 the fragile vessel in the most abject state of terror. 

 We were close to the shore, and the water was not 

 more than three feet deep, and yet he dared not jump 

 out of the canoe, as the rushes were again brushing 

 against its sides, being moved by the hidden beast at 

 the bottom. There was no help for him, so,- after 

 vainly imploring me to shove the canoe into deep 

 water, he at length sat still. 



In a few minutes the body of the buffalo again 

 moved, and the head and shoulders of a crocodile ap- 

 peared above water and took a bite of some pounds of 



