10 
AFRICAN HUNTING. 
all the ducks, and a heavy pair of shooting-boots, 
though the rest of my attire was light enough, 
consisting only of shirt and gaiters. Still I thought 
I could manage it, and pushed slowly off, making 
very short strokes with my arms for fear of losing 
my gun, as it was laid across just under my chin, 
and I think I might have succeeded, had I not just 
at that moment seen the head of a huge crocodile, 
above stream, sailing down upon me, leaving a 
wake like a steamer behind him. I need hardly 
say I struck out legs and arms for my life, utterly 
unmindful of my gun, and in a few vigorous strokes 
made the opposite bank, breathless and frightened, 
