ADVENTURES WITH CROCODILES 85 



snout against the side. I recollect Major Gibbons standing 

 upright in the stern of our little aluminium steam launch 

 on the Zambezi, with the tiller between his feet, nearly 

 losing his balance through an attack of the latter kind. 

 One day I disturbed a crocodile which had been basking 

 on a slab of rock by the side of a pool. He of course 

 immediately dived, and my two terriers coming up pro- 

 ceeded to drink at the spot, which was about three yards 

 on the left of where I was standing. Presently to my 

 surprise, I saw the crocodile returning. He was plainly 

 visible in the clear water, floating gently about a foot 

 below the surface, and making straight for the dogs. 

 When about equidistant from myself and them, he 

 cautiously raised his head, no doubt to measure his 

 distance, and without anticipating the bullet which 

 ended his career. Although he must have seen me plainly, 

 this animal did not take the slightest notice of my 

 presence. 



Crocodiles are as partial to dogs in Africa as they are 

 said to be elsewhere ; and in the Game Reserves we have 

 lost many faithful friends through these brutes during 

 the past eight or nine years. They are generally taken 

 when in the act of drinking, but not infrequently also 

 when swimming across either on their own account or 

 following their masters. The least taint of blood in the 

 water seems to attract crocodiles instantly, and antelopes, 

 which, pursued by wild dogs, reach the river after having 

 been injured, are nearly certain to escape one danger 

 only to fall into another. 



Crocodiles are characterized by a strong musky smell, 

 which often betrays their present or late vicinity. I was 

 once standing on a stone in the middle of the Sabi fishing. 

 Close by was a deep pool ; but the water was clear, and 

 since two large crocodiles had been successively shot in 



