Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-02-14
ESCAPING A CROCODILE.
The Exciting Adventure OF Two Boys
imam African River.

Ore of the dangers to guard against
in swimming the So2th African rivers
is the same as that which infests the
Nile and the large streams of tropical
Asia and America-the presence of croc-
odiles. Parties venturing into srch
waters make as much noise as possible,
to friehten the crocodiles away. Two
English boys, Percy and Lionel Broder-
ick, connected with wagon train in
charge of Dutch settler named Hen
bricks, came near losing their lives
while crossing the Tugela River, in the
Zulu country, some time ago. The wag
on had been ''poled" over by an arrange
ment which converted it into raft, the
two boys and several other members oi
the company swimming the stream on
horseback, when huge crocodile seized
the hind legs Of LionePs horse.
The little fellow plunged from the
back of the horse into the water, and his
older brother impulsively did the same
thing, in order to 60 to his rescue and
| assist him in swimming out. Before
they had advanced far toward the shore
they were pursued by another of the
river monsters, and only the tialely
bullet of a friendly gun and the help OF
II endricks and two men of his party
| Davis and Crawford, saved them. The
exciting chase is thus told by the nara
| tor:
Percy's hopes of escape rose as he saw
the raft approaching, urged on by poles
and paddles. He kept looking round
him, however, to watch whether one o
the dreaded monsters was rising to the
surface, though he knew too we'll tha
if it should approach, he could do little
to save himself and his brother.
Lionel was brave boy, and showed
little or no fear. He did exactly as ht
was told, resting one hand on his olde
brothers back as he swan by his side
Had his skill as swimmer equaled tha
of Percy, he would rather have trustee
to his own powers than hindered n;
companion.
The raft was still SON way of, a
though they could distinguish the fes
lures of their friends, when suddenl
Lionel, casting glance down the strear
exclaimed.
"Can that brute be coming this way?
i Percy looked in the same direction
and there. sure enough, he saw the hea
of a huge crocodile with its snout di
rected towards them.
I'VE won't wait for him, at all events,
said Percy. keep your hand firml
on my back, and Wen swim as fast d
we can. We may reach the raft befor
he overtakes U.s."
Though he said this he felt very fair
hope of success; still, like brave fellow
he kept up, shouting and splashing g
: much as he could without stopping o
his way.
Once he glanced over his shoulder
The dreaded monster came swimmln
on. In another minute before the
could possibly reach the raft, it woul
overtake them, though Hendricks an
; his companions were exertiDg their nj
most strength to urge it on.
Just then a man was seen runn:n
along the bank. He stopped and raise
a rifle to his shoulder. Percy fancie
ne could hearthe bullets whistle throug
the air and the "slap" it made as
struck the crocodile's head. The mon
; ster sank from sight-not killed, {
course, but astonished-and this CAV
the struggling boys the moment o
which their lives depended.
Davis and Crawford raised lou
cheer, and in few seconds they wei
: , hauling Percy and Lionel, both almo
! exhausted, out of the water upon tn
! safe footing of the raft.
The man who tired the fortunate sh'
was Ugmolo, the Zulu wayon. master
the party. Youths Companion.