“There’s the water,” I cried, as I caught sight of a flash.
“You’ll be in it here directly, same as I was,” drawled Jack. “I say, doctor, ain’t this the sort of place big snakes like?”
“Hush!” whispered the doctor; and pressing back the thick growth we advanced cautiously, and following his example I, too, stepped from tuft to tuft, listening to the beating noise and to the other sounds that arose.
First there was the loud rustle of wings as some water birds flew up, long-legged creatures with far-stretching necks. Then on my left there was an ominous noise, as of something crawling amongst the reeds, and I shuddered as I saw that Jack Penny was holding his gun ready, and that Gyp’s hair was bristling all about his neck, while his teeth were bared.
The doctor was some distance before us now, and I could see him peering between some bushes and waving his hand to me to come forward; so, forgetting the danger, if danger there was, I went cautiously to my companion’s side, to gaze with astonishment at the scene before me.
There was no bunyip or native Australian demon there, but a great shallow, muddy pond or lake, which seemed as if it must be swarming with fish and crocodiles, for every here and there, as the great rugged backs of the horrible lizards were seen pushing towards the shore, shoals of silvery fish leaped out, flashing in the sunshine before they splashed back into the water.
Here, then, was the secret of the mysterious noise which was being produced before my eyes. For the crocodiles were driving the shoals of fish into the little bays and creeks, and then stunning them by beating the water heavily with their tails, the result being that the paralysed fish were easily devoured.
I felt as if I could never tire of gazing at the monsters so busy before us. There must have been at least five-and-twenty, and all of large size; and it was not a pleasant thought to consider what would have been the consequences if we had attempted to wade across the lagoon.
Before leaving, however, the doctor took out his glass and swept the shore of the great pond, to nod with satisfaction.
“This is only a sort of bay belonging to the river we are seeking, Joe,” he said. “Look there to the left, and you can see the entrance choked up with reeds.”