A CROCODILE HUNT. 203 



promenade through this delicious aquatic garden, 

 when suddenly I recognised the bony, dark brown 

 back of a crocodile. Immediately I resolved on 

 killing this creature, with a view to increase our 

 stock of provisions. Being provided with small 

 shot only, I charged the gun heavily with it, in the 

 earnest hope that the animal would turn the side 

 of his head towards me. I raised the gun to my 

 shoulder and stood ready to fire. But, whether it 

 were ill luck, or that the crocodile suspected danger, 

 so it was that he only exposed the front of his 

 head. At length, however, he made the desired 

 move: I fired, and he disappeared under water. 

 Have I missed him ? No. Something comes up 

 to the surface. I leaped for joy on perceiving that 

 it was the crocodile's belly. In truth I was very 

 proud. This animal is so hideous that I had no 

 pity for him. I called aloud for my companion, 

 who, fearing some accident had occurred, ran to 

 me with all haste, and fully shared my delight at 

 the sight of this enormous piece of game, which 

 floated like a mass of wood on the surface of the 

 water. Still our task was only half done ; it re- 

 mained to secure the prize. The river, on issuing 

 from the basin, became very narrow and rapid : our 

 enormous prey floated down with the current, very 

 slowly, to be sure, but, should it once reach this 

 narrow spot, it was entirely lost to us. The basin 



