238 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



their head above the water, immoveable, and ap- 

 pearing at a distance like large pieces of floating 

 wood, gliding slowly down with the current, and 

 basking in the heat, of which they are very fond. 

 I have shot several in that situation, and very close 

 to thera ; for, not being often disturbed, I could ap- 

 proach them easily. With a coat of mail which 

 resists the ball, it is very difficult to kill them. I 

 was in hopes of being able to fracture their skull by 

 a discharge from my musket loaded with a slug; 

 but whether it be that they were equally impene- 

 trable there, or whether, being wounded only, they 

 retired to die some time after at the bottom of the 

 deep, I know not, but all those I shot made a plunge 

 and disappeared immediately. 



In the neighbourhood of Tliebes, the small boat 

 in which I sailed up the river, was often surrounded 

 by crocodiles, on a level with the surface ; they saw 

 us pass by with indifference ; they neither disco- 

 vered fear nor any cruel intent at our approach. 

 The noise occasioned by musket-shot was alone 

 able to disturb them in their state of tranquil apa- 

 thy. They never rise upon vessels, and how little 

 soever they may be lilted above the water, nothing 

 is to be apprehended from their attacks. But you 

 must avoid thrusting your arms or legs into the 

 stream, or you will run the risk of getting, them 

 snapped off by their sharp and pointed teeth. 



Very 



