The barque was not yet opposite me; but, by the rate at which she was
moving, I calculated she would be so by the time I could arrive in
midstream.
Brace had told me to swim for the bows--for he would be there with his
rope; while, in case I should not be able to lay hold of it another
would be ready at the gangway ports with a second rope. One or other
would be sure to haul me in; but it would be better if I could get
aboard at the bows, as then I might not be observed either by mate or
skipper, and even should his majesty come after me I could be hidden
away about the forecastle. The skipper, not knowing I was aboard,
would, of course, deny me with a will. I was determined, therefore, to
do all I could to get aboard by the bows.
I was an excellent swimmer--not surpassed by any of the _Pandora's_
crew, except, perhaps, by Brace himself, who was one of the best in the
world. I had practised a great deal in my schooldays in rivers,
fresh-water lakes, and the sea itself; and I thought nothing of swimming
a mile or more without rest. Crossing from the bank of the river to
midstream--a distance of not over two hundred yards--was a mere
bagatelle, and I had no apprehension of not being able to accomplish it
at my ease.
But although I had no apprehension about my powers of swimming, I was
keenly sensible of danger from another source. I had not thought of it
before that moment--for the excitement of escaping, and the difficulty
of making my way through the underwood, had driven every thought of
danger out of my head, except that of being pursued. The peril from
behind had prevented me from dwelling upon dangers ahead; and, it was
only after I had plunged into the stream, that I became the victim of a
keen apprehension. Then, and not till then, did I remember the fate of
the unfortunate Dutchman!--then, and not till then, did I think of the
crocodiles!
A horrid sensation came over me--a dread feeling of fear. My blood ran
cold--far colder than the water of the stream--perhaps at that moment I
was within reach of a huge man-eating crocodile? at all events, within
sight, for some of these hideous monsters were sure to be near, either
by one bank or the other. Indeed, as I was about to plunge in I saw a
long dark form by the shore, some twenty yards further down, which I had
taken for a floating log. The noise made by my body striking the water
had caused it to move. I thought then it was the current; but now,
under my keen apprehensions, I thought differently. It was no dead
log--it was the motion of a living creature--beyond doubt a huge
crocodile!
This conjecture soon became a conviction. A floating log would scarce
have settled there, against the sedgy bank, and where there was current
enough to carry it onward; it was no log, it was the great lizard
itself.
I could not restrain myself from half turning round, and raising my body
body high in the water to look back. The clear moonlight gave me every
advantage, and I could perceive any object on the water almost as
distinctly as by day.
One glance was sufficient to make me aware of my perilous position.
Merciful heaven! my conjecture was too true!--the dead log was no log,
but an enormous crocodile!--its hideous shape was plainly seen; its long
cloven head and broad scaly back glittered high above the water, and its
snout was elevated and turned towards me, as though it was just getting
over a surprise, and coming to the knowledge of what sort of creature I
was.
Its surprise, however, was soon over, and before I could stretch myself
to swim on, I saw it lash the water into foam with its tail--as if to
set itself in motion--and the next moment it parted from the bank and
came rushing towards me!
Its body was now sunk below the surface, but its blunt, haggard head,
and sharp snout were projected high above the water.
I saw all this as I turned round again; and with a feeling of cold
horror upon me I swam on.
The barque was now near--her bows were not fifty yards distant, and the
crocodile was still more than a hundred behind me. But I well knew that
these amphibious monsters can far outswim a man. Through the water they
make progress as an otter, and with like rapidity. I felt sure I should
be overtaken, and then--
The cold horror continued--I screamed out for help--I continued my cries
as I swam on!
I heard voices from the barque, in answer to my cries. I could see
forms gliding about the head, and running out upon the bumpkin-shrouds,
and along the bowsprit I could distinguish the deep voice of Brace
uttering words of encouragement and direction.
I was under the bowsprit-end--I could see no rope--I looked in vain for
a rope--none had been thrown to me. Oh, heavens! what was I to do?
Once more I raised myself in the water, and looked back. It was an
appalling sight. The black head of the crocodile glittered within ten
feet of me--I could see the jaws extended--the long, irregular tusks--
the strong, scaly limbs, as they paddled the water.
In another instant I should have felt those terrible teeth; and, gripped
between the hard jaws of the monster, as in a vice, would have been
dragged to the bottom of the dark waters had it been my destiny.
But it was not so written in the book of fate. Just as I had given
myself up for lost, I felt a strong hand clutching my garments by the
waist, and the instant after I was lifted clear out of the river, and
hoisted high into the air! The crocodile made a rush forward and leaped
far above the surface; but I had been raised beyond his reach, and he
fell back with a plunge, and for some moments continued lashing the
water with his tail. Then, seeing that his victim had escaped him, he
swam off, and disappeared round the side of the vessel.
I scarce knew how I had been so miraculously saved. Despair and terror
had confused my senses; and it was only after I had passed above, and
set upon my feet upon the firm deck, that I understood all.
Brace was my preserver. He had run out to the bowsprit-end, and from
that had slipped down the dolphin-striker, and let himself still lower
by means of a looped rope. By this means he had been enabled to swing
himself down, so that he could reach the surface. Fortunately, it was
at that moment that I had risen in the water to face the crocodile, and
had thus given Brace the opportunity of gripping me firmly and jerking
me aloft.
It was a very tight fit, however; and I vowed, that, unless forced to
it, I would never again bathe my limbs in the waters of an African
river.