NARROW ESCAPES

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4956, 16 February 1937, Page 7

NARROW ESCAPES

ADVENTURES WITH CROCODILES. Familiarity breeds contempt even in the crocodile-infested waters of the tropics. The natives are so accustomed to the creatures that they will often bathe within a stone’s throw of them. When, however, it is necessary to cross shallow waters they will get together and shout and beat drums, and so frighten off the reptiles. The crocodile is a cunning fellow. He is fond of hiding in the reeds at a spot where animals gather to drink; At a calculated moment, out he springs and pushes an animal into the water with a quick blow of his tail. It is then at his mercy. A native was sitting on a rock washing clothes when his arm was gripped by what he thought were heavy timbers being washed down the river. He soon realised it was a crocodile and had the presence of mind to pick up his hat and ram it into the side of the crocodile’s jaw ana down its throat. At that, the reptile released its grip, but as the man fell backwards it obtained a good grip on his leg. The native, a brave and powerful man, tore it out of the crocodile’s jaws, minus much muscle, then he crawled to the bank and lay calling for help. After first-aid treatment lie was rushed to hospital, where after careful treatment he gradually recovered. But he was very, very forfunate, for usually, s.uch a mauling means death.—W. L. Speight in Men Only.