t occasion, for the onset of the great reptile was diverted,
the boat's head turned aside, and the blows aimed at them by the
creature's tail fell short, though to the men's dismay their efforts had
driven them towards another of the monsters, which was gliding towards
them from their left.

But here again they successfully turned the creature aside, and Rodd
exclaimed--

"Suppose we missed!"

"Oh, the beggars are too big to miss, sir," cried Briggs. "But suppose
we did; what then, sir?"

"I don't know," cried Rodd excitedly. "What do you say, Joe?"

"I don't know, sir. I never learned crocodile at school, though there
was one in my spelling-book, and I 'member I couldn't understand why a
four-legged chap like him, as lived in the water, should make a nest and
lay eggs like a bird. Here, Harry, let me handle that pole for a few
minutes. I should like to have a turn. Thank you, lad," he continued.
"Yes, they're rum beasts, Mr Rodd, sir, and I dare say they are very
slippery; but I don't suppose I shall miss the next one--Ah! Would
yer!" he shouted as one of the reptiles rose suddenly, open-mouthed,
close to the boat's head.

As the man spoke he made a heavy thrust with his pole, his companions
having no time to take aim, and the next moment the hideous jaws snapped
to, there was a fresh swirl, the bamboo pole was jerked out of Joe's
hand, and he would have overbalanced himself and gone overboard had not
those nearest to him seized him and snatched him back.

"Well, now," he cried, "just look at that!" For about half of the
bamboo remained visible and went sailing up the stream.

Just then there was the sharp report of a gun from behind, followed by
another, while before there was time for re-loading there was the loud
_crack, crack_ of a double fowling-piece.

"Hurrah! That's uncle!" cried Rodd. "They are firing at the
crocodiles, and it will be with bullets."

"And sarve them jolly well right, Mr Rodd, say I," cried Joe, "for I
call it taking a mean advantage of a man to sneak off like that with his
pole. Why, look at him, sir. He's having a regular lark with it--
picking his teeth, or something. Look how he's waggling the top of it
about. What do you say to try and steer after him and get it back?"

"Ugh! No!" cried Rodd. "It would be madness."

"Well, not quite so bad as that, sir. Say about half-cracked; and
that's about what I'm beginning to think. I say, they are getting all
the fun