THE HIDDEN DEATH

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 84, 7 January 1928, Page 22

THE HIDDEN DEATH

The rivers and estuaries of Northern Australia spread out over the country in great mud flats intersected by shallow creeks, while everywhere as a waterside growth one finds the eternal mangrove (says a writer in the "Wide World Magazine”). Along the banks of these creeks and across the mud flats lie the blackfellows’ pads or paths, worn and kept bare by the constant passing of feet; and in sonic reedy bed or muddy pool beside these paths the cunning “alligator” will lie waiting for its prey. It will remain thus, quite motionless, for days, but let some unwary creature happen along—a woman, a dog, a kangaroo—and instantly it is on the alert. With exquisite judg-

ment the foul brute will await the exact second for action; then a great armoured tail lashes up out of the. mud. and, with one tremendous sweep, knock the hapless victim into the water. Quickerthan a terrier worrying a rat the ter-, rible iaws follow up the b’ow, and, before the luckless nrey quite realises what has happened, the great teeth crush through flesh and bone and all is overMany white mon have been caught that wav and no experienced bushman will walk alongside or camp close to a creek or water-hole, no matter how enticing the place may seem? At nialit the hungry brutes arc apt. to leave the water, and f would bo a terrible awakening to eel ii ie „rip of those savage jaws as they closed on one’s bodv and dragged one off to a hideous death.