I think the fish is laughing down there with the fat spider in its stomach.

Also when there is a storm crocodiles go to bed because they are afraid lest the lightning should kill them for their sins." Now I remembered that I had often heard, and indeed to some extent noted, that these great reptiles do vanish in disturbed weather, probably because their food hides away.

However that might be, in an instant I made up my mind.
As soon as it was quite dark I would swim the water, holding the little rifle, _Intombi_, above my head, and try to steal the canoe.

If the old wizard was watching, which I hoped might not be the case, well, I must deal with him as best I could.

I knew the desperate nature of the expedient, but there was no other way.