The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-20

uown It's huge throat even though II
, jaws are fully distended through hold
/ ing Its prey Thus after few brie
seconds the unequal struggle n over
and the saurian takes the carcass ii
tow to some favored locality where ht
can enjoy It at his leisure.
In the early days at Port Darwin
South Australia, bathing In the open
sea was forbidden owing to the danger
from crocodiles, there and nearly ev.
erywhere else In Australia called ALI.
gators, though In reality no true alll.
gators exist IN Australia, A young
trooper named Davis, fine swimmer,
disregarded the general order aud one
morning early Went for a swim, Far
out In the harbor he noticed what he
and others took TO he a floating log,
Many OF the northern trees iloat aul
are washed down In the wet season to
the open sea. Out went the strong
swimmer, nearer and nearer to the
supposed log. until too late he recog.
nized his mistake and that he was ap-
preaching instead of log huge aud
apparently listless crocodile.
But the knowledge came too late 10
be OF any service to poor Davis, though
some men called out to him from n
small craft close by to "Go back! Go |
oack!' and Davis did make an attempt |
to retreat and was swimming manful.
~ shoreward when the huge brute
flashed down upon him at d terrific
speed and, opening his great laws TO
their utmost capacity. came down with
q smack that was heard even to the
shore, and inside their cruel grasp was
Trooper Davis head Then, with the
quickness common to the saurlan. II
had disappeared with it's victim.
Crocodiles at nighttime low and bel
low just like cattle. especially like
bulls and ! have spent some nights
p an open boat IA Cambridge gulf,
northwestern Australia, where the
Whole place seemed to be alive with !
hem, and what with their spIashes anS
ries, the welrdness Of the whole scene
nd their close proximity as they AZ
lines rocked the boat sleep was lmpos /
ioie, Tor there are several instances
y record where croeodiles have taken ;,
have attempted TO take men from /;
ut of camps and boats. :
"A poor fellow named Reed the mats
second mate OF the Gulnan, had =
)ne In his vessel to some river in t
arpentaria guff-T believe the Roper
be vessel was at anchor near the es
outh Of the river The mate. Reed. al
u been dispatched In charge OF
Altering party and was some dis 500
nee up the river In q large opep
at Water had been obtained and
ey were all ready for return to the ;.
ip' All being made snug, the tired "
lows turned In, having made their
mp IN the boat. The night was a de
y fine one, the moon shining bright. VIC
When toward midnight the sleept Sw
camp was aroused by some terrific -
'ieks. These were the cries OF Door w,
ed who, enyeloped in his bedding
! mosquito curtains, was being -,
ne Off by crocodile. p'
Is said by those who knew him
j and accompanied him on this and W.
er previous trips that he had the v
1t OF sleeping with his foot on the g y
Wale OF the boat, and no doubt this -.
rded the crocodile an easier oppor. -
ty OF seizing him. tori
ne crocodile has a remarkable eve -
an arrange the pupil to q vertical
horizontal position at will to suit
requirement by day or night II FO1
special natural protection to the -
and through duct escapes the -
when the monster weeps. In spot
he Is peculiar brute altogether. the
many special gifts besides his max
jaws that help to make OF him 100
error he IS. Sydney Mail. For