ey; but the monster made one hurried, convulsive movement forward,
the lower jaw was run under the sleeping man's leg, and the upper jaw
came down with a sound like a well-oiled and sound steel spring, and the
crocodile swung the limp, warm body around, as a man would swing a cat
by the tail. But this swinging movement proved to be poor Mombo's
salvation, for he was thus swung against a strong young tree, to which
he now clung with the strong tenacity of a man who clings for life,
while he gave vent to the full power of his lungs in cries so alarming
and shrill that they were heard at the camp of the caravans two miles
off. Selim, Simba, and Baruti realised the scene in an instant; they
saw the great reptile, horrible and hideous as a nightmare, tugging
violently at the leg of the unfortunate man, whose screams pierced their
ears, and whose arms almost cracked as he held on with such a fierce
grip to the strong young sapling, and they saw that had it not been for
its fortunate proximity to him they had never seen Mombo more.

Simba was the first to recover himself, for Selim and Baruti stood as
men transfixed.

"Now, master," said he, "your gun--quick! or he will run away. Aim at
once; but be cool, or you will kill Mombo. Aim just at his throat, as
you see his head lifted up. There, son of Amer, you have slain the
brute! Ah! he is trying to escape. Hyah! on, Baruti; your spear, man!
Run! come with me, and catch hold of his tall. Two of us can hold him,
I think, or delay him at least until he dies. There--take that, you
beast!" he shouted as he hurled his broad-bladed spear full through his
side, behind the fore leg, into his vitals, which stretched the monster
lifeless after one or two convulsive efforts.

Baruti, encouraged by Simba's powerful voice, which roared through the
wood in accents so cheery, had at first boldly dashed at the crocodile's
tail; but receiving a tremendous thwack on his side from the mighty
tail, which was swung about as though it were a well-handled flail--
which almost fractured every rib in his body--now stood by, looking
fearfully punished and sore.

When the monster had ceased to breathe, Selim and Simba, attracted by
the moans of Mombo, hastened to him to examine his condition.

"Poor fellow!" said Selim. "See Simba, the leg is stripped to the bone.
What a savage reptile the crocodile is! Do you think Mombo will live,
Simba? For after this I should not like to see him die; i