ing element. The reeds and leaves are beset with larva of the dragon-fly, which, like jugglers, creep up the vertical stems of the reeds, and cling to the drooping leaves.
I often watched this submarine realm, and in spirit passed with its inhabitants such a happy life, that my mind forgot what had but a few moments before like a heavy burden oppressed it.
Nature has a powerful, irresistible charm, and if man devotes more time to observe her more closely, he will find repose, consolation, encouragement, and satisfaction all concentrated in her. He will even enjoy an unexpected happiness if she had caused him, perhaps, a short time ago, distress through her fellow-creature, or affliction and sorrow by the effect of the rolling thunder, or the influence of her other elements.
In my description of elephant hunting I warned hunters of the dangers of the lakelets containing troubled waters, as the common resort of crocodiles. I recollect an occurrence which has reference to this. It happened in 187–, on the upper Pandama-Tenka River, close to the station bearing the same name, and concerns Dr. Bradshaw.
Dr. Bradshaw had taken a walk up the valley, when he was seized by thirst, and imprudently bent down to drink from one of these pools. As he was cooling his parched lips in the cold water, in a prostrate position, his eye caught sight of some dark object apparently moving towards him from under the disturbed surface. Anticipating no good, he threw his head back, sprang up, and retreated. He had hardly done this when the head of a tolerably large crocodile emerged from the pool, in the exact spot where the doctor a moment before had quenched his thirst. The doctor determined to rid the lakelet of its hideous inhabitant, and several times stopped near by with his double-barrelled gun, until he found the crocodile quietly reposing so near the surface that he was able to despatch it with two shots. Another crocodile, inhabiting a pool in the vicinity of the former, attacked one of Westbedh’s donkeys while drinking, with which this trader used to bring Kafircorn from the Zambezi to his station on the Pandama-Tenka River. The attacked animal was strong, but the crocodile was as yet only half grown, so that the donkey could easily resist its enemy. However, the reptile managed to deprive the animal of all the flesh surrounding its mouth, so as to make the naked jawbone plainly visible, in consequence of which the poor animal was obliged to be shot. Crocodiles are never found in rapids, or rocky river beds, neither in shallow water, nor places where the water is very clear and pure whilst deep; broad and calm waters may in these small rivulets undoubtedly be marked as the abodes of these huge reptiles. Large rivers such as the Zambezi, with clear water, abound with crocodiles, with the exception of their rapids.
