With Flashlight and Rifle <> 



inhabitants of this neighbourhood, the hippopotamus. To 

 be sure, it is not always that one is left in such complete 

 tranquillity in these hours of observation. 



The neighbourhood was, I knew, free from crocodiles ; 

 which is a curious fact, as the permanent marshes contain 

 fresh drinkable water and it is only the periodical floods 

 that are salty. 



At the beginning of my stay I was making my way 



I CAME UPON TWO HUGE PYTHONS 



through one of these temporary lakes when, suddenly, 

 while I was still some distance from the bank, there was 

 a violent commotion in the water just in front of me. 

 Waves broke in every direction and my men fled back in 

 the greatest confusion, leaving me in the lurch and calling 

 out "Mamba! Mamba!" 



I myself thought I saw two crocodiles making for me, 



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