Already he swam at a distance of less than six paces from his prey, his long snout projecting from the water, his gaunt jaws displaying their quadruple rows of sharp glistening teeth.
I shouted despairingly.

I was baffled by the deep water.

I had nearly twice the distance before I could interpose myself between the monster and its victims.
"I shall be too late!" Suddenly I saw that the cayman had swerved.

In his eagerness he had struck a subaqueous pipe of the jet.
It delayed him only a moment; but in that moment I had passed the statue-like group, and stood ready to receive his attack.
"_A la orilla! a la orilla_!" (To the bank! to the bank!) I shouted, pushing the terrified girls with one hand, while with the other I held my sword at arm's-length in the face of the advancing reptile.
The girls now, for the first time awaking from their lethargy of terror, rushed towards the bank.
On came the monster, gnashing his teeth in the fury of disappointment, and uttering fearful cries.
As soon as he had got within reach I aimed a blow at his head; but the light sabre glinted from the fleshless skull with the ringing of steel to steel.
The blow, however, turned him out of his course, and, missing his aim, he passed me like an arrow.

I looked around with a feeling of despair.
"Thank heaven, they are safe!" I felt the clammy scales rub against my thigh; and I leaped aside to avoid the stroke of his tail, as it lashed the water into foam.
Again the monster turned, and came on as before.
This time I did not attempt to cut, but thrust the sabre directly for his throat.