THE CROCODILE. 
239 
It often happens, in its depredations along the bank, that 
the crocodile seizes on a creature as formidable as itself, and 
meets with the most desperate resistance. We are told of 
frequent combats between the crocodile and the tiger. All 
creatures of the tiger kind are continually oppressed by a 
parching thirst, that keeps them in the vicinity of great 
rivers, whither they descend to drink very frequently. It 
ts upon these occasions that they are seized by the crocodile; 
and they die not unrevenged. The instant they are seized 
upon, they turn with the greatest agility, and force their 
claws into the crocodile’s eyes, while he plunges with his 
fierce antagonist into the river. There they continue to 
struggle for some time, till at last the tiger is drowned. 
In this manner the crocodile seizes and destroys all ani- 
mals, and is equally dreaded by all. There is no animal, but 
man alone, that can combat it with success. We are assured 
by Labat, that a negro, with no other weapon than a knife 
m his hand, and his left arm wrapped round with a cow's 
hide, ventures boldly to attack the animal in his own ele- 
ment. As soon as he approaches the crocodile, he presents 
his left arm, which the animal swallows most greedily ; but 
sticking in his throat, the negro has time to give it several 
stabs under the throat ; and the water also getting in at 
the mouth, which is held involuntarily open, the creature 
•s soon bloated up as big as a tun, and expires. 
Whatever be the truth of these accounts, certain it is that 
crocodiles are taken by the Siamese in great abundance. The 
mannerof taking them is by throwing threeorfburstrono- nets 
Across a river, at proper distances from each other; so tliat, if 
die animal breaks through the first, it may be caught by one 
m die rest. When it- is first taken, it employs its tail with great 
orce; but, after many unsuccessful struggles, it is at last ex- 
hausted. Then the natives approach their prisoner in boats, 
a nd pierce him with their weapons in the most tender parts, 
dll lie is weakened with the loss of blood. When he has done 
stirring, they begin by tying up bis mouth, and with the same 
a<)1 ’d, they fasten his head to his tail ; which last they bend 
back like a bow. They are not, however, yet perfectly secure 
join his fury ; but, for their greater safety, they tie his fore 
ee d as well as those behind, to the top of his back. 
The crocodile, thus brought into subjection, or bred up 
>°ung, i s used to divert and entertain the great men of the 
• ast * !<• is often managed like a horse: a curb is put into 
5 mouth, and the rider directs it as he thinks proper. Though 
wkwardlytformed, it does not fail to proceed with some de- 
jv ee °f swiftness, and is thought to move as fast as some of 
e most unwieldy of our own animals, the hog, or the cow. 
