42 
WILD BLASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
I was a spectator upon one occasion when a very 
large crocodile seized a bullock and pulled it into 
deep water ; several times the animal in its struggles 
could be seen upon the surface, although the head 
was held beneath by the steady grasp of the captor : 
at length all disappeared except the tail of the ox, 
which twisted and writhed convulsively in the air 
like a wounded snake. In about two minutes it 
ceased to move, and the entire body floated, 
drowned, while the long head of the triumphant 
crocodile rose alongside, and quietly contemplated 
its victim. 
There can be no doubt that crocodiles can see 
beneath the water to a considerable distance, should 
it be clear ; on the other hand, they rarely discover 
their prey in this manner, but, perhaps unseen, the 
reptile’s projecting eyes are just above the surface 
at some little distance, and it sees an animal upon 
the bank, so near the margin that it can easily 
be surprised. The crocodile then sinks, and 
approaches beneath the water, until it ventures 
upon another stealthy peep from a closer distance. 
When certain of the position it sinks again, and 
swimming until within reach of the unsuspicious 
object, it makes a sudden rush with extraordinary 
velocity, and generally succeeds in snapping its 
prey within those merciless jaws from which there 
is no escape. 
It is always dangerous either to sit or stand upon 
the extreme edge of a precipitous bank, unless many 
feet above a river. Should a crocodile be unable 
