What was not less inexplicable was that the struggle still appeared to be going on.
Doubtless, the dugong, attacked by some powerful animal, after having released the dog, was fighting on its own account.

But it did not last long.

The water became red with blood, and the body of the dugong, emerging from the sheet of scarlet which spread around, soon stranded on a little beach at the south angle of the lake.

The colonists ran towards it.

The dugong was dead.