The palmetto herald. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1864-1864, 1864-04-28
FIGnr WITH A CRocoDILE.--We need

scarcely tell our readers that the most
dreaded inhabitant of the water is the
crocodile. Any person in proximity to
the water is in danger OF attack. Ii ne
stoops to fill dipper the bubblinS sound
is sure to draw half dozen cncodlles
at once to him. To escape the danger
thus incurred, a calabash bowl, with a
handle six feet in length, is generally
employed, and even this is frequently
snatched from the hand OF the water
carrier.
But, in spite of the well-known and
terrible characteristics OF this dreadful
king Of the water, there are plenty OF
men who do not hesitate to meet and
encounter him in his own element. Those
engaging in it are well aware of the con-
test, in which one OF the combatants at
least must die. 1t is impossible for both
to escape. or for ''drawn battle to
take place. The crocodile never yields
the contest so long as he has the ability
to struggle, and the moment his human
enemy turns his back to flee, that mo-
ment is his last.
About twenty years since the writer OF
this was making journey in the north
ern part of South America, in company
with a Llanero, or inhabitant OF the PLAIN.
When a dozen miles from our destination,
word reached us that the wife OF our
comrade lay at the point OF death, and
he was urged to make all possible haste.
We at once struck our wearied horses to Il
rapid gallop, and half hour later reached
the banks of stream Of large size, which
it was necessary to cross. Unfortunately,
the ferrymsn was at considerable dis
tance with his canoe, and the Llanero
became impatient. -.
Il will not wait for him" he said at
last: she is an age in reaching us, while
my poor wife is dying. l will swim
across"
Remember the danger, said |, from
the crocodiles."
He did not reply, but removed his
heavy equipments. / promised to take
them with me, and he then loosed the
saddle of his horse, SO that il merely float
ed behind him. Having prepared his
animal for the water, he now put himself
in the proper condition. This consisted
in stripping himself entirely to the waist,
after which he placed his dagger between
his teeth, and plunged into the river;
His faithful beast instantly followed, and
the two swan together, the l4ianero Keep
inc slightly in advance, so that his horse
should run no danger from the monsters
The crocodile knows full we'll which IS
the dantiest morsel, and at such times IN
yariably makes for the man, attacking the
horse only when no other prey is offered.
The Llanero certainly was not more
than one-fourth the distance across the
river when we both saw the monster
come to the surface, near the centre, ana
make at once towards the approaching
man and beast.
The Llanero caught sight OF the croco-
dile at the same moment that we did, and
with his dagger still between his teeth,
he made at once towards him. As the
two combatants swiftly approached. we
watched them with painful and GREATNESS
interest. The man, fully aware that he
could slay the monster only by stabblng
him beneath the armpit, and knowing,
too. that this could not be accomplished
unless he made him spring out OF the wa
ter. exerted his cunning to compel the
crocodile to do this.
We saw the Llanero, when few yards
distant from his foe, reach his left haed
backward, and place it upon fhe saddle,
at the same time taking his dagger in his
right hand; when six feet or so distant
and ON the very point of attacking him.
the man threw the saddle into tho air, so
that it bid fair to fall directly upon the