Even if it had retired a little upon _terra firma_, the amphibious animal would not have thought of following it, and it could at once have avoided the conflict, if desirous of doing so.

On the contrary, it seemed rather to court it; for not only did it take a firm stand on the approach of the saurian, but continued to emit its hoarse cough and bark, which, as we have said before, closely resembled the growlings of an angry mastiff with his jaws held half-shut by the straps of a muzzle.

At the same time it struck the ground repeatedly with its fore-paws, tearing up grass and weeds, and flinging them spitefully toward the crocodile, and into its very teeth, as if provoking the latter to the attack.
Undismayed, the scaly reptile continued to advance.

Neither the strange noises nor the violent gesticulations of its four-handed enemy seemed to have any effect upon it.

To all appearance, nothing could terrify the gigantic saurian.