hed
Kalulu, but I knew at once that he was not the crocodile, for his skin
is as soft as a child's; the next minute I got hold of the crocodile's
leg, though he was kicking and laying about him furiously, and I let go
Moto's hand, who got hold of another leg. I buried my knife in the
crocodile's belly several times, and he swam away, leaving his inside
dragging after him, while I came up to find Kalulu, Abdullah, and Moto
right close to me. I think the crocodile has got more than he thought
he would get, and that he will leave Abdullah alone in future."

"Do you think Abdullah will come to soon?"

"Oh yes," replied Simba; "he has swallowed a little too much water, or
he has fainted from the pain. See now, Master Selim, he breathes!
There, his eyes are open!"

Abdullah had only fainted, as Simba said, and this was the reason why
the crocodile had so soon released his hold of his leg, and had lain on
him. When he opened his eyes, Abdullah gave a long sigh, and asked
where he was, to which a cheery answer was returned; and presently he
talked, and discussed the event calmly, but not before he had
endeavoured to kiss the feet of his saviour, which Kalulu had too much
manliness to accept; but he knelt down by him and embraced him, while
Abdullah availed himself of the opportunity, and kissed his forehead.

Abdullah having in a measure recovered, the two warriors were sent to
hunt after the canoe, which fortunately was found, stayed in its
progress by the reeds, at a point of the island projecting into the
current; and, to their great joy, close to the canoe was the gourd to
which was fastened the harpoon rope. Giving vent to a loud halloo,
Simba, Moto, and Kalulu rushed towards them, and by their united aid
they dragged the body of the dead hippopotamus to shallow water, and
setting vigorously to work, they soon loaded their canoe with the
luscious flesh, it being a food highly prized by the tribes of Central
Africa.

By the time this work was despatched, it was night, and the hunters,
lifting the wounded Abdullah into the canoe, and having a clear course
up the river towards home, they started on their return journey, feeling
as proud as men who have been successful in a dangerous exploit only can
feel. They sang over and over again exciting hunting and boat songs
with vociferous chorus, until midnight, when the fishermen's fires, near
Katalambula's village, gladdened their eyes and made them rejoice as
home-ret