Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/208

190 The formidable monster rose partially out of the water, the better to see the exact whereabouts of his prey, and after diving below, re-appeared once more just in front of the raft, and darted upon his poor victim with the greatest velocity and violence, causing the water around him to froth and foam. The duck firmly grasped between his jaws, he raised himself above the surface till half his body was visible, and placing his fore paws on the raft, swallowed the dainty morsel.

Early in the morning, or towards sunset, is considered the best time for seeing them, as they are then occupied in the search of food. The greater part of the day they generally pass in sleep under the shade of projecting stones, or beneath a clump of trees.

My servant told us a curious tale about alligators. The incident, as he asserted, took place during the time he lived in Sumatra, and had been related to him by some one he had no reason to