LARGE CnOCODILE. 93 house saw it approaching, they shouted to tell the bride that her lord was near, and she must prepare to receive him. The company by this time had all assembled, and we joined them and sat down to supper. After a short time the friends of the bridegroom told him that he must now go and claim his bride, and after a little show of reluctance he retired and a dead silence reigned on all sides. This is always a critical moment, for, as a rule, the bridegroom now for the first time sees the face of the bride, and can tell whether she meets with his approbation. The joyful cries of the mother informed the company of the satisfaction of the bridegroom, and the bride's nurse rushed down, conveying the welcome news to the assembled friends, receiving backsheesh from relations and visitors alike. It is very seldom that a man refuses his bride ; should he not be pleased with her, he generally keeps her for a few weeks before putting her away. After making the acquaintance of his wife, the bridegroom rejoined the merrymakers for a few hours and then retired, the festivities being kept up all night by his friends. The next day there was another dinner, which brought the marriage rejoicings to an end.

One morning, during my stay at Lado, a very large crocodile was shot by a sentry. It was lurking near the river's brink, on the look out for women going for water. When it was cut up, no less than