, an enormous alligator! This great reptile was shuffling
along down the path towards me, evidently making for the water, and it
not only blocked my advance, but also necessitated my immediate retreat.
The moment the brute caught sight of me he stopped, and began snapping
his jaws viciously. I confess I was quite nonplussed for the moment as
to how best to commence the attack upon this unexpected visitor. It was
impossible for me to get round him in any way, on account of the dense
bush on either side of the narrow forest track. I decided, however, to
make a bold dash for victory, having always in mind the prestige that was
so necessary to my existence among the blacks. I therefore walked
straight up to the evil-looking monster; then, taking a short run, I
leaped high into the air, shot over his head, and landed on his scaly
back, at the same time giving a tremendous yell in order to attract
Yamba, whom I had left in charge of the boat.

The moment I landed on his back I struck the alligator with all my force
with my tomahawk, on what I considered the most vulnerable part of his
head. So powerful was my stroke, that I found to my dismay that I could
not get the weapon out of his head again. While I was in this
extraordinary situation--standing on the back of an enormous alligator,
and tugging at my tomahawk, embedded in its head--Yamba came rushing up
the path, carrying one of the paddles, which, without a moment's
hesitation, she thrust down the alligator's throat as he turned to snap
at her. She immediately let go her hold and retreated. The alligator
tried to follow her, but the shaft of the paddle caught among some tree
trunks and stuck. In this way the monster was prevented from moving his
head, either backwards or forwards, and then, drawing my stiletto, I
blinded him in both eyes, afterwards finishing him leisurely with my
tomahawk, when at length I managed to release it. Yamba was immensely
proud of me after this achievement, and when we returned to the mainland
she gave her tribesmen a graphic account of my gallantry and bravery. But
she always did this. She was my advance agent and bill-poster, so to
say. I found in going into a new country that my fame had preceded me;
and I must say this was most convenient and useful in obtaining
hospitality, concessions, and assistance generally. The part I had
played in connection with the death of the two whales had already earned
for me the admiration of t