116 HUNTING IN THE JUNGLE. 



muster. Suddenly the scene, which had its comic side, 

 assumed a tragic one. I was trying to distinguish, along 

 the horizon, the point where the ocean began, when I 

 heard an exclamation of horror from the natives, who, 

 with eyes starting from their sockets, pointed eastward 

 toward the nearer tree clumps. 



"What is it?" said I, straining my eyes in the same 

 direction, but in vain. 



" Crocodiles ! Crocodiles ! " 



I repeated the word mechanically, my heart sinking 

 within me as I, too, began to distinguish the black points 

 which indicated to the Dyaks' quick eyes the approaching 

 enemy, 



"Are you sure?" I whispered hoarsely, the cold sweat 

 pouring off my forehead. 



"Yes, Sahib, certain; and there are four of them." 



I had only six explosive-ball cartridges, and, in spite 

 of their terrible effectiveness, I could but remember that 

 the crocodile in the water is well-nigh invulnerable, with 

 only his armor-plated back exposed. However, the terri- 

 ble foe was still some way off, and I should not myself 

 have detected them but for the Dyaks' quick instinct. 

 There was nothing left us but to try, at any cost, to 

 reach the nearest of the tree islands, avoiding by guess 

 the bottomless mud-holes that beset the path. 



The unfortunate Dyak who was responsible for our 

 position headed the line again, sounding to right and 

 left, as he advanced, with his spear. It is impossible to 



