.

But it was not from the forests of Borneo its enemy was to come. Out of
its waters was approaching the antagonist that had caused it to assume
its attitude of angry defiance; and the spectators now saw this
antagonist in the shape of an enormous lizard--a crocodile larger than
they had ever seen before.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

A SPECTACLE RARELY SEEN.

When the huge reptile first unfolded itself to their view, it was
already close to the spot where the ourang-outang, knee-deep in the
water, stood awaiting it. They naturally expected to see the land
animal effect a retreat from an antagonist even more formidable-looking
than itself.

And in reality it did give ground at first; but only for a few long
scrambling strides, made as much on its arms as legs--just far enough to
place itself high and dry upon the bank. There it came to a stop, and
stood firmly facing the foe.

They now perceived the truth of what Saloo had been telling them: that
there is no animal in all Borneo, either in its forests or its rivers,
of which the mias feels fear. Certainly there is none more to be
dreaded than the gavial crocodile; yet the great ape, judging by its
present attitude, was in no sense afraid of it. Had it been so, it
would have retreated into the woods, where, by climbing a tree, it might
easily have shunned the encounter. Even if it had retired a little upon
_terra firma_, the amphibious animal would not have thought of following
it, and it could at once have avoided the conflict, if desirous of doing
so. On the contrary, it seemed rather to court it; for not only did it
take a firm stand on the approach of the saurian, but continued to emit
its hoarse cough and bark, which, as we have said before, closely
resembled the growlings of an angry mastiff with his jaws held half-shut
by the straps of a muzzle. At the same time it struck the ground
repeatedly with its fore-paws, tearing up grass and weeds, and flinging
them spitefully toward the crocodile, and into its very teeth, as if
provoking the latter to the attack.

Undismayed, the scaly reptile continued to advance. Neither the strange
noises nor the violent gesticulations of its four-handed enemy seemed to
have any effect upon it. To all appearance, nothing could terrify the
gigantic saurian. Confident in its great size and strength--above all,
in the thick impenetrable skin that covered its body like a coat of
shale armour--conscious of being so defen