THE HIDDEN DEATH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20283, 16 December 1927, Page 12

THE HIDDEN DEATH.

The rivers and estuaries of Northern Australia spread out over the country m 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 fiats lie the blackfellows’ pads or paths, worn and kept bare by the constant passing of feot; and in some reedy bed or muddy pool besides 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 judgment the foul brute, will await the exact second for action; then a great armoured tail lashes up out of the mud, and, w.th one tremendous sweep, knock the hapless victim into the water. Quicker than a terrier worrying a rat the terrible jaws followup the blow, and before the luckless prey quite realises what has happened, the great teeth crush through flesh and bone and all is over. Many white men have been caught that way, and no experienced bushmen will walk alongside or camp close to a crock or water-hole, no matter howenticing the place may seem. At night the hungry brutes are apt to leave the water, and it would bo a terrible awakening to feel the grip of those savage jaws as they closed on one’s body and dragged one off to a hideous death.