These objects were not above nine inches square, and appeared like detached pieces of rough bark.

I knew them to be the foreheads of different crocodiles, and presently one moved towards the half-consumed buffalo.

His long head and shoulders projected from the water as he attempted to fix his fore-claws into the putrid flesh; this, however, rolled over towards him, and prevented him from getting a hold; but the gaping jaws nevertheless made a wide breach in the buffalo's flank.

I was now within thirty yards of them, and, being observed, they all dived immediately to the bottom.
The carcass was lying within a few yards of the bank, where the water was extremely deep and clear.

Several large trees grew close to the edge and formed a good hiding-place; I therefore landed, and, sending the canoe to a distance, I watched the water.
I had not been five minutes in this position before I saw in the water at my feet, in a deep hole close to the bank, the immense form of a crocodile as he was slowly rising from his hiding-place to the surface.
He appeared to be about eighteen feet long, and he projected his horny head from the surface, bubbled, and then floated with only his forehead and large eyes above the water.