Challis tried another shot. The snouts instantly disappeared, emerging again, however, after a few seconds, at a little greater distance. Whether Challis had killed one he did not know.
He was taking aim for a third shot when the raft, neglected by John, intent on watching his master, lurched against a half submerged bank of weed. Challis staggered, and in catching at John to steady himself, dropped his rifle, which struck the side of the raft and fell into the water with a big splash.
"Never mind," said Challis, trying cheerfully to hide his annoyance. "They can't get to us on the raft."
Coming into deeper water, they used the saplings as paddles. The crocodiles kept at a greater distance, but they followed the raft, swimming slowly and quite noiselessly after it as it crept towards the tree.
Challis felt the presence of this escort not a little disconcerting. He was not scared, but uncomfortable. He thought of driving off the reptiles by shouting; it was quite an effort to find his voice. When he shouted and splashed with his paddle there was a momentary scattering and disappearance of the snouts; but as soon as he left off, they came up behind and around the raft again.
He was heartily glad when at last they reached the tree.
"Tell the Tubus to come down," he said to John.
The Hausa jabbered to the men in the tree; they neither moved nor answered. He shouted to them again, still without effect.
"Plenty silly chaps," he said scornfully.
"Perhaps they think we shall kill them," said Challis. "Tell them we have come to save them."