, 1912-11-06

AdnSluS DluNllV5 liz olbCh INV OACA''D -
resistance until the bait has been swallowed
and the brute begins to make off. Then the
planted end Of the cane line holds sufficient
ly to snap the slight thread binding the
pointed stick to the bark rope, The stick
thus returns TO its original position at night
angles to The line, and becomes damned
access the crocodile's stomach. the two
sharpened pc nts liking themselves into the
flesh. Ihe crocodile sW ms away, dragging
after him the long cane iine attached to the
bait which he has swallowed. Sometimes
the cotton ho ding the bar TO the line fal s
to snap. In that case the crocodile becomes
suspicious Of the long line attached to what
he has swallowed. aul, climbing up the river
bank, diagolges the but and unopened
hook in the jungle, where It IS sometimes
found. But should the cotton snap and the
bar fix Itself in the amin Ms inside, nothing
can save the brute.
The formidable teeth of the crocodile are
no. able to bite through the rope attached
to the bat, because the bark fbr es of which
it is loosely made get between his pointed
teeth, and the rope notis, no matter how
much the ibrcs get separated.
The trappprs ench morning visit the differ
ent traps to see if any Of the bats have
been taken, and if any are missing they
search tor them. They seldom TAIL to fad
the rattan or cane floating on the surface Of
some deep pool at DO great distance from
the spot where the bait was set. II firm but
gentle pull soon brings the crocodile to the
surface, and if he be u big one he is brought
ashore; though smaller specimens are put di-
rectly INTO the bolt and made fast there.
Professional rocodile-hunters are sup
posed 10 possess somo wonderful mysterious
power over the animals which enables them
TO land them and handle them without trou-
bic. | have seen Il man land a large croco-
die on the bank by simply pulling gently. on
the line. But this is not Surprising, as, from
the crocodiIe's point Of view. there is moth
ing else to do but follow when every pail,
however gentle, causes considerable pain.
Yhe rest Of the proceeding is more re-
markable. The annual is addressed in eulo-
CYSTIC language, and begui!ed, 50 the natives
say, into offering no resistance. He Is called
a 'raiah among animals and is told that he
has come on a friendly visit, aud must be-
have accordingly. First the trapper ties up
his jaws-not II very difficult thing to 60.
The next thing he does appears to me very
risky. Still sp aking as before in high-tloWn
language, he tells the crocodile that he has
brought rings Tor his fingers, and he binds
the hindlegs fast behind the beasts buck, so
taking from him his grip on the ground, and
consequently his ability to use his tail.
When one remembers what Il sulden swing
of the muscular tail means, one cannot help
admiring the courage Of Il man who coolly
approaches IL large crocodile for the purpose
of lying up his hind legs. Finally, the fore
legs are tied in the same way over the am
mails back. A stout pole is passed under
the bound legs, and he animal is carried
away. He is taken to the nearest Govern
ment station, and the reward, given accord
ing to the length of the animal killed, is
claimed Though the animal is spoken to in
such latteiin@ terms, before he is secured,
the moment his legs are bound across his
back and he is power! ess for evil the natives
howl at him and deride him for his stupidity.
Leter ON they rip up his belly for human re-
muinS, and new MIN to pieces. He struggles
fur iou-ly, but to no purpose. His head is
cut off and hung up over tie fire place, side
10y side with the cluster of human heads
taken in warfare. The professional croco-
dlle-catchers are generally Maluys; but now
there are Dyaks who lave gwen mp their old
suparstitlou5 dread of the a pimal, and are
expert crocodlle-catcherS, and quite willing