This reptile is said by the natives to strike the victim with its tail, then drag him in and drown him.

When lying in the water watching for prey, the body never appears.

Many calves are lost also, and it is seldom that a number of cows can swim over at Sesheke without some loss.

I never could avoid shuddering on seeing my men swimming across these branches, after one of them had been caught by the thigh and taken below.

He, however, retained, as nearly all of them in the most trying circumstances do, his full presence of mind, and, having a small, square, ragged-edged javelin with him, when dragged to the bottom gave the alligator a stab behind the shoulder.