The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-11-10
a PRIGnTFUL STRUGGLE.


When at last the boat settled down,
the Syrian plunged into the stream, and
keeping his head well above If, struck
out for the shore at point where he saw
1t shelved down to the waters edge,
irInged with long rushes. Strong as the
current was he breasted it successfully,
and was reaching shoal wather-with a
heart full of good resolves and thankful
ness for his preservation and rebounding
from bis late despair-when suddenly be
saw to his surprise dark object resem~
bling an old log, floating from the muddy
bank toward him. A s there was no cur
rent from the shore this struck him as
strange; but his surprise was" changed
into horror when the object approached
nearer, disclosing TO his gaze, under the
bright moonlight, the scaly back and
unshapely bulk of the crocodile most
dreadful of all the tenants of that Shiny
food, though but rarely seen SO low down
the river. AS the monster moved through
the water, with a movement indicating
the vast propulsive power OF lis short fore
arms and muscular tail-lashing the river
into foam as it forged upward-Daoud
could distinguish his sharp snout elevated
above the flood, and the small, glittering,
serpent-like eyes it fixed on lis destined
prey. Each second brought the fell mon
ster nearer the man; while the huge
jaws would occasionly open, display ing
the sharp, double row of gllsteping teeth
which armed item then shut again with
a snap like the music of easlinets resound-
ing through the stiffness. Imminent and
deadly was the peril. as Daoud we'll
knew but he lost no heart nor hope
His nerves, steeled TO danger in It's most
fearful shape during his recent trials, did
not fail him now. He felt deadly sick
ness at heart, for an instant, at the new
and hideous form of peril, thus suddenly
confronting him at the very moment of
his fancied escape from all his danger;
just as he was making his good resolves
for tranquil future. Never before had
he encountered the dread monster; but
he knew its nature and its habits well.
for he had often heard Arabs of the Upper
Nile tell of their encounters with and VIC
tories over it, and he therefore understood
which way the path of safety lay. He
allowed the greedy monster to approach
within two lengths of him-simply float
ng himself on the surface of the water,
with wary eye fixed on the movements
of his adversary. Flight be knew would
be speedy and certain death He waited
till he could see the very twinkle of its
hungry eye--then dived down into the
food, bis dagger bare in his right hand.
That moment the huge bulk of the eroco.
die seemed convuIsed with sudden pang
as it abruptly twisted itself round, lashing
the water into foam with its terrible tail,
and swapping its jaws together, while its
snaky eye emitted sparks of fire. Then
it sullenly sunk under the water, too, and
the moonlight shone on the ripping river,
showing no form of man or reptile on its
agitated surface. But the water where
the reptile had sunk was discolored with
dark red stain, which showed that the
Syrian's dagger had found vulnerable
spot. He had diged beneath the sealy
armor which protected it from above and
had struck an upward blow. Next mo-
meat the man rose again to the surface,