She did not hesitate a moment, but plunged into the river, which buried her to the neck.

At that moment the child rose again to the surface.

The mother seized her by the arms; and was about raising her out of the water, when the caiman swept forward open-mouthed, caught the limbs of the little girl, and with one crunch of his powerful jaws severed them from the body! The little girl screamed again; but it was her last scream.

When the mother struggled to the shore, and laid the mutilated body upon the bank, the child had ceased to breathe.
"For some moments sat the wretched mother, gazing upon the still quivering remains.

At intervals, she stooped down and kissed the pale, withering lips.