and with frantic energy plunged forward, all the while calling
upon the bathers to make for the parapet.

Notwithstanding my shouts, the terrified girls made no effort to save
themselves. They were incapable from terror.

On came the cayman with the velocity of vengeance. It was a fearful
moment. Already he swam at a distance of less than six paces from his
prey, his long snout projecting from the water, his gaunt jaws
displaying their quadruple rows of sharp glistening teeth.

I shouted despairingly. I was baffled by the deep water. I had nearly
twice the distance before I could interpose myself between the monster
and its victims.

"I shall be too late!"

Suddenly I saw that the cayman had swerved. In his eagerness he had
struck a subaqueous pipe of the jet.

It delayed him only a moment; but in that moment I had passed the
statue-like group, and stood ready to receive his attack.

"_A la orilla! a la orilla_!" (To the bank! to the bank!) I shouted,
pushing the terrified girls with one hand, while with the other I held
my sword at arm's-length in the face of the advancing reptile.

The girls now, for the first time awaking from their lethargy of terror,
rushed towards the bank.

On came the monster, gnashing his teeth in the fury of disappointment,
and uttering fearful cries.

As soon as he had got within reach I aimed a blow at his head; but the
light sabre glinted from the fleshless skull with the ringing of steel
to steel.

The blow, however, turned him out of his course, and, missing his aim,
he passed me like an arrow. I looked around with a feeling of despair.
"Thank heaven, they are safe!"

I felt the clammy scales rub against my thigh; and I leaped aside to
avoid the stroke of his tail, as it lashed the water into foam.

Again the monster turned, and came on as before.

This time I did not attempt to cut, but thrust the sabre directly for
his throat. The cold blade snapped between his teeth like an icicle.
Not above twelve inches remained with the hilt; and with this I hacked
and fought with the energy of despair.

My situation had now grown critical indeed. The girls had reached the
bank, and stood screaming upon the parapet.

At length the elder seized upon a pole, and, lifting it with all her
might, leaped back into the basin, and was hastening to my rescue, when
a stream of fire was poured through the leaves of the plantains: I heard
a sharp crack--the short humming whiz of a