A CROCODILE HUNT. 203

promenade through this delicious aquatic garden,
when suddenly I recognised the bony, dark brown
back of a crocodile. Immediately I resolved on
killing this creature, with a view to increase our
stock of provisions. Being provided with small
shot only, I charged the gun heavily with it, in the
earnest hope that the animal would turn the side
of his head towards me. I raised the gun to my
shoulder and stood ready to fire. But, whether it
were il luck, or that the crocodile suspected danger,
so it was that he only exposed the front of his
head. At length, however, he made the desired
move: I fired, and he disappeared under water.
Have I missed him? No. Something comes up
to the surface. I leaped for joy on perceiving that
it was the crocodile’s belly. In truth I was very
proud. This animal is so hideous that I had no
pity for him. I called aloud for my companion,
who, fearing some accident had occurred, ran to
me with all haste, and fully shared my delight at
the sight of this enormous piece of game, which
floated like a mass of wood on the surface of the
water. Still our task was only half done; it re-
mained to secure the prize. The river, on issuing
from the basin, became very narrow and rapid: our
enormous prey floated down with the current, very
slowly, to be sure, but, should it once reach this
narrow spot, it was entirely lost tous. The basin