uite ready for another hearty meal.

"But could the crocodile come to life again, father?" asked Jack.

"Certainly not, my boy. It could not have been killed; and horrible as
its injuries were, it seems to have had life enough to enable it to
crawl back into the river, where probably it now lies dead at the bottom
amongst the mud."

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

JACK ROGERS AND THE RUNAWAY HERDS.

The General found a shallow fording-place, when the Limpopo itself was
reached; and no little excitement was displayed by Dinny at the thought
of recklessly plunging into a river that was as full as a Pay shuck, he
said, of crocodivils.

But the river had to be crossed; and when all was ready the order
"Trek!" was given, Peter's whip cracked, and the team went down a slope
into the river at a trot, Dirk bravely walking by the side of the
foremost oxen on finding Jack and Dick, on horseback, ready to lead the
way.

Dinny groaned, and crept into the waggon unseen by any one; while
Coffee, Chicory, and the General took over the horses side by side with
Mr Rogers.

The stream ran fast, but it was very shallow, and the bottom was hard,
so that the waggon was got over in safety, the oxen dragging it well up
on the other side before they were allowed to halt; and so successful
had the passage been that there might not have been a crocodile in the
river.

The fact was of course that the trampling and disturbance of so many
hoofs kept the reptiles at a distance; but as the waggon was halted, and
Mr Rogers gave a glance under to see that all was right, the dogs began
running and snuffing about amongst the reeds and grass at the side, when
Pompey suddenly uttered a hideous yell, and bounded away, careering over
the plain with his tail between his legs, having had a very narrow
escape from a small and active crocodile, which had literally thrown
itself out of the water in its endeavour to catch him.

The land presented an entirely different aspect now, vast plains running
away towards the horizon; and in places it looked rather ominous, for it
was parched and dry. Plenty of good grass and water were absolute
necessities for the success of their expedition, so Mr Rogers paused to
consult with the General, who pointed to the fact that there were great
herds of game upon the plain, a sign which indicated that there must be
pasture and water, and as he expressed his thorough conviction that
plenty of grass would be found on in adva