54 TALES OF A NOMAD. 



As all prospect of sport seemed to be over, I walked 

 along the bank until I came to a place where it shelved 

 down to the water's edge with a gradual slope. I sat 

 down on a block of stone to watch. 



Soon I saw an object on the surface of the water, 

 somewhat resembling a piece of dead timber drifting 

 along ; but it had this peculiarity, it drifted against the 

 current. On looking more narrowly I perceived the 

 nostrils, the eyes and the serrated back of a large croco- 

 dile. Two more crocodiles were coming down stream 

 in a similar way. 



When they had reached a point opposite to me, they 

 remained still, evidently observing me carefully. 



It gives one a sort of uneasiness being watched by 

 these uncanny saurians, so I stood up, but they did not 

 move. I was quite close to the water's edge, and, being 

 in a vacant mood, I tapped the brink of the water with 

 the toe of my boot. They instantly disappeared, but in 

 another minute or so reappeared. This suggested to 

 my mind that their sense of hearing must be uncom- 

 monly acute. So I again cautiously placed the sole of 

 my boot upon the water, taking care to make no splash 

 as I did so. They instantly disappeared, nor did they 

 reappear until I had withdrawn my boot from the water. 

 I am convinced that they were watching me, in hopes 

 that I should swim across the river, and also that they 

 distinctly heard what to me was inaudible, viz., the sound 

 of my shoe touching the water. Resuming my seat on 

 the stone I watched for another half-hour, but seeing 

 nothing of the sea-cows began to think of returning home. 



Glancing over my right shoulder I saw a curious sight. 

 In the bush not ten yards from me was a bush-buck 

 apparently petrified by astonishment. He was standing 



