Page:Hunting and trapping stories; a book for boys (IA huntingtrappings00pric).pdf/146

 There are two instances known where one crocodile got the best of a fight and another the worst. This is the first:

A lion was lying in ambush near a drinking place on the banks of the Senegal River, in Africa. It had lain motionless for some time, waiting for game to come along, when a herd of deer appeared. Now the lion had not chosen the best place in the world for a vantage ground, for the river bank was steep and narrow at that point. The deer, led by a fine buck, came down single file nearly to the water's edge. The herd soon smelled the lion and became uneasy. The leader sniffed about on all sides, but finally, not hearing anything, came forward to drink. The lion sprang at it, but too late, for the buck leaped to one side and vanished. The lion, landing on the soft mud, lost its balance and rolled over and over into the water. It regained its feet at length, a little bewildered, snarling angrily. The water just reached to its flanks.

The lion stood still for a minute or more and was just about making for shore when it gave a terrific roar and attempted to plunge forward, but something held it back. A crocodile had slipped up and seized its hind legs in its powerful jaws. The lion was at the mercy of the crocodile; nevertheless, it turned and attacked its enemy ferociously. The crocodile hung on doggedly in spite of the terrible clawing it was receiving, at the same time backing with all its might, keeping its head under water as much as possible for protection.

The crocodile was slowly winning, for inch by inch it succeeded in bringing its victim into deeper water. The poor beast gave vent to deafening roars, and amid frantic struggles was slowly pulled under. In a few minutes there was nothing but air bubbles to show where the struggle had taken place.

Ten minutes later the lion's body floated to the surface, and soon the crocodile appeared swimming round and round viewing its handiwork with satisfaction.

The second story, tells how the crocodile got the worst of the fight.

A number of buffalos came down to the water to drink. While doing so a very large crocodile made a rush for the largest buffalo, seizing it by the snout. There was a grand tug of war for several minutes, neither gaining any advantage; but slowly the buffalo succeeded in drawing the crocodile out of the water; yet it would not let go its hold. The other buffalos came to the rescue of their companion, attacking the crocodile fiercely.

A lion and a pair of leopards, attracted by the sound of the battle, stood