xiu THE CROCODILE 263 



rushed like a steamboat from the river, seized Said l>y the waist, 

 and disappeared. He's dragged into the river, and I've run here 

 to tell you the bad news." 



We immediately hurried to the spot. The surface of the river 

 was calm, and unruffled in the stillness of a fine night. The canal 

 was quiet, and appeared as though it had never been disturbed. 

 The man who had lost his companion sat down, and sobbed aloud. 

 Said, who was one of my best men, was indeed gone for ever. 



There were many accidents among the natives, which may easily 

 be imagined, as they were continually in the habit of swimming 

 across the river when accompanying their herds of cattle. Upon 

 these occasions the crocodiles usually extorted a toll, and sometimes 

 they took a proprietor instead of being satisfied with a cow. 



A curious incident occurred, which thoroughly exemplified " the 

 biter bit," and I should imagine that such an event has very rarely 

 taken place. 



I had three large cows with exceedingly long horns, which I had 

 brought from the Bor tribe to Gondokoro. These were totally 

 different from the small and active cattle of the Bari, and they 

 were regarded with great admiration by the natives. When I was 

 about to leave for the interior, I confided these valuable animals to 

 the especial care of a neighbouring chief, who was to make use of 

 the milk, but to be responsible for the safety of the cows. 



Upon my return, two years after, the chief appeared, and, in 

 reply to my question, he declared that the cows were all well, and 

 that one of them was regarded with veneration by all his people. 

 Every morning fresh flowers were garlanded around her horns, and 

 she had become the sheik of all the herds, because she had 

 accomplished a feat which had never been performed by any other 

 animal. She had caught a crocodile ! 



This proved to be correct. She had gone to the river to drink, 

 in a place where the bank shelved very gradually towards the 

 water. As she was drinking, a large crocodile seized her by the 

 nose, and in the usual manner attempted to drag her into its own 

 element. Instead of this, the bank being favourable, the heavy 

 and powerful cow commenced the game of " tug-of-war," and as 

 the crocodile "maintained its hold, the cow, instead of being dragged 

 in, succeeded in dragging the attacking party out. Nothing would 

 induce the tenacious monster to let go ; therefore by degrees, 

 whilst struggling, both the cow and crocodile retreated many 

 yards from the river's margin. The natives were attracted by the 

 bellowing of the cow, and seeing the position, they at once rushed 

 to the rescue, and mobbed the crocodile with their spears. They 



