He had not long to wait, for Peter seemed to be determined this time to make sure of his garment, and cautiously stealing forward he had almost touched it, when out came the crocodile’s head once more, and as Peter darted back it remained stationary, its hideous eyes watching the black driver, when Mr Rogers’ rifle spoke out, and Peter fell upon his back, yelling for help; while the stream, that had quietly rippled over where the crocodile lay, was suddenly beaten by the monster’s struggles into a tempest of foam.
“Are ye kilt, Pater, ma black bouchal?” cried Dinny piteously, as he leaped down to the aid of his fellow-servant.
“Mind the crocodile, Dinny,” shouted Dick maliciously.
“Oh! murther!” roared Dinny; and he scrambled up the rock again, and sat there panting, as the boys roared with laughter. “Ah, and it’s moighty funny, I’ve no doubt, Masther Dick, sor, but how would you fale yourself if one of the great crocodivils had got hold of ye?”
“Very bad, Dinny,” said Dick. “There, go and help Peter; he isn’t hurt, only frightened.”
“Thought boss shot me,” said Peter, making a rush, and then triumphantly waving his drawers over his head, before withdrawing to a place of safety, where he could watch with the others the dying struggles of the crocodile, which grew weaker and weaker, and then ceased; and the stream flowed calmly on, sweeping away the mud and sand, and revealing the body of the monster, apparently quite dead, at the bottom of the shallow water.
Generally speaking these reptiles get away into the depths of the rivers, or into some deep hole beneath the banks, but this one had apparently been hit so badly that it had not had time to get away, and the sight of the monster so excited the boys, that they begged hard to have it dragged out on to the strand.
“But it is of no use, and its musky odour will be very offensive,” said Mr Rogers.
“But we want to see it, father—to measure it, and see how long it is, and how big round.”
“Very well,” said Mr Rogers, “then you shall. Peter, get one of the oxen and a rope, and we’ll drag the brute ashore. Dinny, go and ask the General to come.”