“But there are tigers in the reeds.”
“Ah, I forgot them.”
“Huge boa-constrictors. One of them would reach from here to Serendib. Did you hear that rustling? Most likely that was one.”
“Do elephants swim? They might come off here.”
“Hippopotami.”
“A black rhinoceros; they’re rogues.”
“Hyenas.”
“Giraffes. They can nibble half-way up the palm-trees.”
“Pumas.”
“Panthers.”