Ken Ward in the Jungle

by Zane Grey

Ken felt the stern of the boat gradually lifted, and then, in alarm, he saw the front end sinking in the water. The crocodile was hauling the bow under.

"Pepe--your machete--cut the lasso!" he ordered, sharply. George had to repeat the order.

Wildly Pepe searched under the seat and along the gunwales. He could not find the machete.

"Cut the rope!" Ken thundered. "Use a knife, the ax--anything--only cut it--and cut it quick!"

Pepe could find nothing. Knife in hand, Ken leaped over his head, sprawled headlong over the trunk, and slashed the taut lasso just as the water began to roar into the boat. The bow bobbed up as a cork that had been under. But the boat had shipped six inches of water.

KNIFE IN HAND, KEN LEAPED OVER HIS HEAD AND SLASHED THE TAUT LASSO

"Row ashore, Pepe. Steady, there. Trim the boat, George."

They beached at a hard clay-bank and rested a little before unloading to turn out the water.

"Grande!" observed Pepe.