"Yes, Sahib; but an old crocodile like this is so horny. Never mind; you must try. Say when you're ready."
"Now," said Phra hoarsely, and Harry stood with his lips pinched and his forehead a maze of wrinkles.
Sree turned fiercely to his two followers, who had hold of the rope close behind him.
"If you let go this time, I'll knock you both in," he cried, "and then you'll be killed and eaten, and come to life again as crocodiles."
The men shivered at this to them horrible threat, and Harry and Phra exchanged glances.
Meanwhile Sree was, so to speak, just feeling the crocodile's head, and as no extra strain was put upon the rope the reptile kept on swimming to and fro; but the moment the rope was tightened and the three men gave a steady drag there was a violent eddying of the water, the rope slackened, and the huge head and shoulders shot out as if the brute meant to reach its enemies in one bound.
But once more the reports of the two guns came nearly together, and the gaping jaws of the reptile snapped together as the head disappeared.
"Load again," cried Harry excitedly. "Let him run, Sree."
The hunter nodded, and as soon as the guns were loaded the drag and reappearance of the beast took place, another couple of shots were received, and this time the reptile whirled itself round and making good use of its favourite weapon struck at the occupants of the landing-stage, its tail sweeping along with terrific force.
But the brute had miscalculated the distance. Six feet nearer, and the two lads would have been swept into the river. As it was they felt the wind of the passing tail and heard the loud humming whish as it passed.