This was done; the wife and five young children were put in
possession of their new home, and slept soundly after a long march.
Towards day-break the husband and father was awakened by a faint cry, and
looking up, beheld relics of three of his children scattered over the
floor, and an enormous crocodile, with several young-ones around her,
occupied in devouring the remnants of their horrid meal. He looked around
for a weapon, but finding none, and aware that unarmed he could do nothing,
he raised himself gently on his bed, and contrived to crawl from thence
through a window, hoping that his wife, whom he left sleeping, might with
the remaining children rest undiscovered till his return. He flew to his
nearest neighbour and besought his aid; in less than half an hour two men
returned with him, all three well armed; but alas! they were too late! the
wife and her two babes lay mangled on their bloody bed. The gorged
reptiles fell an easy prey to their assailants, who, upon examining the
place, found the hut had been constructed close to the mouth of a large
hole, almost a cavern, where the monster had hatched her hateful brood.
Pages:
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57