Ugh!" shuddered Dick. "The monsters!"

"What have you shot, boys?" said Mr Rogers, hurrying up. "I was afraid
it was an accident, the two rifles went off like one."

They told him, and being eager to see if there was any trace of the
crocodile, they went round the shores of the little lake to the other
side of the point, for the river wound so that the incident took place
on their own bank; but for a few minutes they could see nothing but
muddy water.

"I'm afraid you did not kill him, boys," said Mr Rogers.

"But we frightened him off," cried Jack; "and that's something."

"Chicory find him; look!" cried the boy, pointing where he stood.

They went to his side, and there sure enough, with its light underparts
showing, lay a great crocodile, its tail moving feebly to and fro, and,
most satisfactory sight of all to the boys, a couple of threads of blood
rising slowly from the monster's head through the clear water.

"Hah!"

It was Chicory who shouted, and as he did so he struck back his young
masters. For his quick eyes had seen what looked like a dark shadow in
the river; and his effort was just in time, for a huge crocodile threw
itself half out of the water, disappearing again with a sullen plunge as
it missed its prey.

"I think that will do for to-day, boys," said Mr Rogers. "Let's get
back to the waggon. For my part I feel disposed to spend the rest of
our time shooting crocodiles, so as to try and rid the country of a few
of the pests."

"Only all we could kill would be as nothing, would they, father?" said
Dick.

"No, they would hardly count," replied Mr Rogers; and they made the
best of their way back to the waggon, only too glad of the meal Dinny
had ready for them, roast and boiled.

Chicory turned a rough kind of somersault as he caught sight of his
brother sitting up and doing that which was dear to Chicory's own
heart--eating; and as there was a good share of food beside Coffee, the
tired brother made no scruple about going to join him and help him eat.

It was wonderful what that boy could eat when he was thoroughly hungry.
Dinny would stare at him, rub his ears, and screw up his face with a
look of disgust, while the very dogs seemed envious of his powers.
Rough'un would wait patiently for some time bearing it all apparently as
he abided his own time; but when he saw Chicory keep steadily on he
began to bark furiously, as if such behaviour were not to be borne.

"Shure, Masther Dick,