But he was not kept long in doubt. After a few minutes, the water was violently churned by the dying struggles of the crocodile, and the canoes, tossing up and down on the wavelets, were nearly upset more than once. Perilous moments for the hunters! Had either of the canoes, or both, “turned turtle,” the vicious and frantic reptile might have avenged its own death!
Instead, it presently lay inert and lifeless in the shallower part of the stream, whence Jim, springing out of the canoe, dragged the heavy body ashore and began at once to skin it, assisted by Dave.
There were many miles still to be traveled, and so Norton decided not to spend any more time in that locality, but to return to the river station by nightfall, if possible.
“Cap’n Vinton will think we’re lost, strayed, or stolen, never coming back to civilization,” he said laughingly.
“I almost wish we were!” said Hugh with a sigh. “I love the wilds. I’d like to spend a whole year down here among the Glades, if I could. Wouldn’t you, Bill?”
“You bet!—if there was some reason, some purpose in our doing it,” Billy answered. “I’d get tired of just loafing, though.”
“So would I.”
“I know you would.”
“Well, I wouldn’t!” declared Alec, smiling. “Hunting, fishing, exploring, taking photos—that would be enough for me.”
“I guess you’d change your mind, Alec, before long,” said Norton. “At any rate, we must return to civilization now. I dare say your parents will be anxious for a telegram from us within a day or two, assuring them that we’re all well. Remember, it’s many days since you last wrote about your adventures, and they’ll want to know that we’re not shipwrecked, lost at sea, or adrift in the Glades.”