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 Rh When the Crocodile heard this he said to himself, "Now that we have reached deep water the Monkey is in my power; seated upon my back, he cannot escape me by the width of a single sesame seed. I will tell him my true purpose, so that he may have a chance to call upon his Gods for help." Thereupon he said to the Monkey:

"Friend Red-Chin, I want to tell you that I have taken advantage of your confidence to bring you out here, in order to kill you by my Wife's commands. Call upon your patron Saints to save you."

"Brother," said the Monkey, "what harm have I done to your Wife or to you, that you should wish to kill me?"

"You have done nothing," replied the Crocodile, "but my Wife wants to eat your heart, because it is steeped in the juice of the ambrosial fruits on which you feed. That is the sole reason for what I have done."

Hearing this the Monkey, who was quick-witted, rejoined:

"My dear friend, why did you not tell me this before we started? I always keep my heart hidden in the hollow of the Jambon Tree. Of course I will give it to your Wife, but what a pity you brought me away without it."

When the Crocodile heard this he cried out joyfully:

"My dear fellow, I will take you back at once to the Jambon Tree and you can give me your heart to take to my Wife and keep her from starving herself."

The Monkey, who had said at least a hundred silent prayers, did not wait until they reached dry land, but took a long flying leap to shore. Then swinging himself up to safety in the tree, he congratulated himself that he was still alive.

"Hurry up," called out the Crocodile, "and give me your heart for my Wife to eat."