How I Found Livingstone Travels, Adventures And Discoveries In Central Africa Including Four Months Residence With Dr. Livingstone By Sir Henry M. Stanley
- Page 283 of 595 - First - Home
The Gombe, A Long Stretch Of
Deep Water, Winding In And Out Of Green Groves, Calm, Placid,
With Lotus Leaves Lightly Resting On Its:
Surface, all pretty,
picturesque, peaceful as a summer's dream, looked very inviting
for a bath.
I sought out the most shady spot under a wide-
spreading mimosa, from which the ground sloped smooth as a lawn,
to the still, clear water. I ventured to undress, and had already
stepped in to my ancles in the water, and had brought my hands
together for a glorious dive, when my attention was attracted by
an enormously long body which shot into view, occupying the spot
beneath the surface that I was about to explore by a "header."
Great heavens, it was a crocodile! I sprang backward instinctively,
and this proved my salvation, for the monster turned away with the
most disappointed look, and I was left to congratulate myself upon
my narrow escape from his jaws, and to register a vow never to be
tempted again by the treacherous calm of an African river.
As soon as I had dressed I turned away from the now repulsive
aspect of the stream. In strolling through the jungle, towards
my camp, I detected the forms of two natives looking sharply about
them, and, after bidding my young attendants to preserve perfect
quiet, I crept on towards them, and, by the aid of a thick clump
of underbush, managed to arrive within a few feet of the natives
undetected. Their mere presence in the immense forest, unexplained,
was a cause of uneasiness in the then disturbed state of the country,
and my intention was to show myself suddenly to them, and note its
effect, which, if it betokened anything hostile to the Expedition,
could without difficulty be settled at once, with the aid of my
double-barrelled smooth-bore.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 283 of 595
Words from 76865 to 77172
of 163520
