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 214 "My dear," answered the Crocodile, "do not ask this of me, for the Monkey has become to me like a second brother."

Then the Crocodile's wife said: "Never before have you refused me anything! This Monkey you talk of must be some other Crocodile's Wife!—Or, if not, what is a Monkey to you? If you do not bring me his heart to eat, I will starve myself, and the blame of my death will rest on you!"

Much troubled, the Crocodile took his way back to the Monkey. The latter seeing him approaching so late and so sadly, called down to him:

"Friend Fierce-Jaw, why so late, and why so sad?"

"Friend Red-Chin," replied the Crocodile, "My Wife has been saying hard things to me. She says that I spend all my days with you, and never bring you back to our house. If I fail to bring you back to-day, she vows that she will never look upon me again."

"Friend Fierce-Jaw," said the Monkey, "your Wife is in the right. But I make my home in the forest and you make yours in the midst of the waters. How could I go there with you? Instead, bring your Wife here, so that I may receive her blessing."

"Friend Red-Chin," said the Crocodile, "our home is on a very agreeable island, even though it is in the midst of the Sea. Mount upon my back, and you shall journey thither pleasantly and without danger."

The Monkey replied, "Dear friend, if that is so let us hasten. I will at once mount upon your back."

Presently, the Monkey, riding upon the back of the Crocodile, found himself surrounded by bottomless water, and his heart was filled with fear. "Brother," he said, "go carefully, carefully, for my body is washed by the waves."