Evening star., 1930-11-30

it began to disappear and before we could get
guns into action, the water had swal-
lowed it.
We were all furious, especially at the boy
for shouting and showing himself. No one
knew just how long it would be before the
monster would appear again. In fact, it was
SO slow rising into sight again that thought
it had been scared off entirely. But after about
20 minutes, some one spied black spot resem-
bling rock, on the farther side Of the sand
bank. Then gradually, inch by inch, the big
fellow began to come out to resume its inter-
rupted sun bath. So quietly and imperceptibly
did he rise out of the water that was almost
fooled into thinking it really rock we
were watching.
I peered at the little black spot until my
eyes ached from the strain, so permanent and
motionless did it seem. But as I gazed, I
realized that the black thing was growing
bigger and bigger, and that it rose and fell
with a rhythmic persstency that proved it to
be breathing animal. My companions were
stretched out along the bank on either side Of
me, all just .aS breathlessly waiting and watch
ing. We/Could the entire population of
the village-men women and children-silently
squatting in long rows way up to the village
huts. intently eyeng the river and waiting
eagerly for the shooting.
After about three-quarterS Of an hour Of
nerve-racking vigil, with the crocodile eau
uouSly maneuvering and edging around to get
himself comfortably ensconced the sand
bank, where the sunshine would wrap his Shiny
body completely, we quickly and noiselessly got
ready to fire. AS our main object was to kill
there would be no point in any one Of us trying
to rival the others, so signaled for simulta-
neous shot spread out my fingers indicating
that at the count of five we would all let go.
1t gave us little enough time to aim, but
managed it nicely, sending five bullets plowing
into the monsters head with tremendous and
unified force.
THE huge reptile didn't have chance For a
moment it burrowed its head into the sand
and heaved its powerful tail up into the air.
Then it whirled over in complete somersault
and, like wild mustang, reared up on its
short hind legs, balancing itself on its tail AS
it reared its wicked jaws spread apart and it
let forth a believing roar of rage and pain.
Wildly its front legs famed the air toward
where we were, as if calling us wordlessly the
biggest towards under the SUM- Five against
one, each Of the five with gun How I'd like
to meet you one at time!" it seemed to say.
The natives went mad. Women and children
pattered after the men, as they made straight
break for the river with spears and huge plan
tation knives ready as they ran. Bedlam was
let loose. Deliriously rejoicing, they chased
along the bank following the reptiles passage
under the water by the crimson line Of escaping
blood that trailed it. Finally it bobbed to
the surface again, fighting its way upstream
and thrashing the water into turbulent froth.
But before we had time for another concerted
shot it disappeared again.
Shortly. however, it lunged up once more,
with fresh vigor, as though the depths of the
cooling water had soothed its pain. But as it
thrashed vigorously about in every direction,
the natives got in our way, so that our guns
were useless Suddenly it slipped from view,
to flash up unexpectedly in the deep water close
under the bank and less than 10 yards away
from us.
We were ready this time. Pumping five more
bullets into it, we left no doubt that we had
finished it off. The frantic natives now took
command Singing and yelling with increasing