of fate. Just as I had given
myself up for lost, I felt a strong hand clutching my garments by the
waist, and the instant after I was lifted clear out of the river, and
hoisted high into the air! The crocodile made a rush forward and leaped
far above the surface; but I had been raised beyond his reach, and he
fell back with a plunge, and for some moments continued lashing the
water with his tail. Then, seeing that his victim had escaped him, he
swam off, and disappeared round the side of the vessel.

I scarce knew how I had been so miraculously saved. Despair and terror
had confused my senses; and it was only after I had passed above, and
set upon my feet upon the firm deck, that I understood all.

Brace was my preserver. He had run out to the bowsprit-end, and from
that had slipped down the dolphin-striker, and let himself still lower
by means of a looped rope. By this means he had been enabled to swing
himself down, so that he could reach the surface. Fortunately, it was
at that moment that I had risen in the water to face the crocodile, and
had thus given Brace the opportunity of gripping me firmly and jerking
me aloft.

It was a very tight fit, however; and I vowed, that, unless forced to
it, I would never again bathe my limbs in the waters of an African
river.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

I have no doubt that the skipper knew all about my coming aboard.
Indeed, there had been such a noise made by the men while the crocodile
was in pursuit of me, that it was impossible that either he or the mate
could be ignorant of the cause of it. I was taken down to the
forecastle, however, and heard not a word about being sent back. In
truth, as Ben had already informed me in his mutterings, the skipper was
rather pleased than otherwise, at being able to overreach King Dingo,
and as he had found me useful to himself he had no desire to let me go.
It was only the large profit he expected by the exchange that had
tempted him to part with me; but so long as he had kept his bargain and
regularly delivered me over, his conscience was satisfied, and he was in
no way offended or displeased that I found my way back to the barque.
Unless, therefore, the canoe came after us and demanded me to be given
up, I would not have to go back to Dingo Bingo.

It was not until we were cleverly out of the river, and the _Pandora_
had spread her wings to the breeze, and was standing towards the open
sea, that I felt easy in my mind. Ma