238 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



days. One of Baker's soldiers, while engaged with many others 

 in the water, only hip deep, was seized by a crocodile. The 

 man, being held by the leg below the knee, made a good fight, 

 and thrust his fingers into the creature's eyes ; his comrades at 

 the same time assisted, and rescued him from absolute destruc- 

 tion ; but the leg-bone was so mashed and splintered in many 

 places that he was obliged to submit to amputation. 



One of the sailors had a narrow escape. He and many others 

 were engaged in collecting the leaves of a species of water-coii- 

 volvulus that make an excellent spinach ; this plant is rooted on 

 the muddy bank, but it runs upon the surface of the water, upon 

 which its pink blossoms are very ornamental. 



The sailor was stooping from the bank to gather the floating 

 leaves, when he was suddenly seized by the arm at the elbow- 

 joint ; his friends immediately caught him round the waist, and 

 their united efforts prevented him from being dragged into the 

 water. The crocodile, having tasted blood, would not quit its 

 hold, but tugged and wrenched the arm completely off at the 

 elbow, and went off with its prize. The unfortunate man, in 

 excruciating agony, was brought to the camp, where it was 

 necessary to amputate another piece slightly above the lacerated 

 joint. 



Baker indulged very much in the sport of crocodile shooting, 

 but though he killed many, they generally managed to get into 

 deep water and thus prevent recovery of the body. On one 

 occasion, passing along by some lily-pods, he saw the head of a 

 crocodile protruding from the mass of vegetation and offering a 

 beautiful shot. A bullet was placed just under his left eye, and 

 the ferocious beast turned over on its back apparently stone dead. 

 Men were ordered to secure it with ropes, as the water was 

 shallow, for it is a well known fact that so tenacious of life are 

 these creatures that though shot through the brain they will, 

 after lying still a while, struggle violently, and even when dead 

 spasmodic movements of their limbs will often carry them to 

 deep water. A long rope was brought and two men waded into 

 the shallow water to adjust it around the creature's body, when 



