296 CROCODILES. 



long, proportionately thick, and pointed at both ends* 

 To this piece of wood they tie a fine but very strong 

 cord, to which are attached pieces of bamboo, which 

 serve for floats. They then put the duck in the middle 

 of the river, and the bird, finding itself embarrassed by 

 the piece of wood, struggles to get rid of it. The cro- 

 codile seeing it, dives into the water, attempts to takp 

 it from below, and seizes instead the piece of wood, 

 which slicks crosswise in its throat. As soon as they 

 perceive thai he is taken, which is seen by the shaking 

 of the cord and the agitation of the bamboo, the signal 

 is given, and the animal is drawn to the top of the 

 water in spite of the efforts he makes to get free. 

 When he appears, the fishermen dart their harpoons 

 into him. These are a kind of dart, the iron point of 

 which is shaped like an arrow, attached to a handle 

 about five feet long. To the iron part, which is 

 pierced* in the socket, is attached a very fine cord, 

 twisted round the stick, which detaches itself from the 

 iron, and which, floating on the water, indicates the 

 spot where the animal is. When they have planted a 

 sufficient number of harpoons in his body, they drag 

 him ashore and dispatch him with their hatchets. 



" There is a second method of taking them. These 

 animals sometimes come close up to the dwellings. 

 As they are very timid, there is an endeavour to prevent 

 them by making a noise, either by shouting or firing 



