I may here remark that, although the feat performed by Kati seemed to us at that time very wonderful, it is one not at all uncommon among the wild tribes of the East; also, that there are many methods of taking the crocodile. For instance, in Siam, in the rivers of which these reptiles swarm, the hunters throw three or four strong nets across a river, at proper distances from each other, so that if the animal breaks through the first it may be caught by one of the others. When first taken it lashes its tail in all directions in its endeavor to escape, but by so doing exhausts its strength; then the natives approach their prisoner in boats, and pierce him with their weapons till it is weakened by loss of blood; they then tie up its mouth, and with the same cord fasten the head to the tail, bending the back like a bow. The animal thus taken is not killed, but brought into subjection by the slaves of Siamese noblemen, who keep them in small lakes in the grounds of their homes for their amusement, and who, it is said, so far tame the reptiles that they can bridle and ride them like horses.
CHAPTER XVI.
WE PICK UP A CHINESE STORY-TELLER, WHO SENDS US TO SLEEP.
When our new acquaintance had exhausted his expressions of gratitude to Kati, and gratified his spite upon the body of the dead reptile, he told us that he was a servant of the Chief of Yugyacarta, who had sent him to the coast with a message to the captain of a Chinese junk. At this information, Kati’s eyes became lighted up with pleasure.
“Truly,” said he, “this is fortunate; for it is to that great chief thy servant is now proceeding, on a mission with his captain. Will my brother,” he added, “cut short his journey, and lead his servant to the great man, for after quitting the river, the road to the town is long and intricate?”
“Is it possible, under heaven, that a man who has been saved from the jaws of a man-eater can deny aught to his preserver?”
“Hilloa, Kati!” asked the curious Martin, “what business can you have with the Chief of Yugyacarta?”
“My master’s business, oh sahib, and therefore to be disclosed only at his command,” was the quiet reply.
“You are well answered, Mr. Curious,” said I; “but, Kati, how long will you be absent? Shall we await your return?”
“Let the sahibs remain until the buffalo returns to his pasture (sundown), and their servant will be grateful; but let them not wait after the sun has gone, for the captain will be in fear that misfortune has overtaken them.”
So saying, Kati and the stranger entered the latter’s boat and pulled up the stream.