Though his chance for survival seemed slender, and hope at its lowest
ebb, he was not minded therefore to give up without a struggle.
Instead he drew his blade and awaited the oncoming reptile. The
creature was like no living thing he ever before had seen although
possibly it resembled a crocodile in some respects more than it
did anything with which he was familiar.
As this frightful survivor of some extinct progenitor charged
upon him with distended jaws there came to the man quickly a full
consciousness of the futility of endeavoring to stay the mad rush
or pierce the armor-coated hide with his little knife. The thing
was almost upon him now and whatever form of defense he chose must
be made quickly. There seemed but a single alternative to instant
death, and this he took at almost the instant the great reptile
towered directly above him.
With the celerity of a seal he dove headforemost beneath the
oncoming body and at the same instant, turning upon his back, he
plunged his blade into the soft, cold surface of the slimy belly as
the momentum of the hurtling reptile carried it swiftly over him;
and then with powerful strokes he swam on beneath the surface for
a dozen yards before he rose. A glance showed him the stricken
monster plunging madly in pain and rage upon the surface of the
water behind him.
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