250 WHERE LIVES PRIMITIVE MAN cook misunderstood him, and came to me with the sulkiest countenance, decHning to toucli the bird on any account. He laid down that he was " No cook for * Grec '; he cook for Englishman." To expect him to demean his proud position thus was to ask him to do something incompatible with his dignity, and to prostitute his powers. The contempt which he exhibited in his voice and manner was indeed admirable as an expression of one of the emotions. It was evident that a little discretion was required to get round the corner and to soothe ruffled feelings, and, using his own argument, I quietly pointed out that, though the Greek had handed him the bustard, it was my bird, and, even if it had not been, 1 was to eat some of it, so of course it was a matter of rank impossibility that I could debase myself by eating meat prepared by the cook of a " Grec." Being equally convinced that such a proceeding would be highly improper, he agreed, and retired to his work by no means contented.

On the way down I had seen a huge crocodile, very dark in colour, and distended with eggs, this being the breeding season. It lay in the water among the thick grass, its head being hidden from sight on the bank. I planted a shot in its neck, and as the steamer swirled round in the current, impeding a second shot, after a moment or two of stillness it wriggled feebly into the tangle of reeds, and disappeared to the cries of the sailors saying " Mat " (Dead). The bullet had done its work,