To these
amphibians it is but sport to launch themselves in its pursuit,
either by swimming through the waters propelled by their tails or
running along the bank with a speed no man can equal.
It is on these huge beaches that the caymans are born, live, and die,
not without affording extraordinary examples of longevity. Not only
can the old ones, the centenarians, be recognized by the greenish
moss which carpets their carcass and is scattered over their
protuberances, but by their natural ferocity, which increases with
age. As Benito said, they are formidable creatures, and it is
fortunate that their attacks can be guarded against.
Suddenly cries were heard in the bow.
"Caymans! caymans!"
Manoel and Benito came forward and looked.
Three large saurians, from fifteen to twenty feet long, had managed
to clamber on to the platform of the raft.
"Bring the guns! Bring the guns!" shouted Benito, making signs to the
Indians and the blacks to get behind.
"Into the house!" said Manoel; "make haste!"
And in truth, as they could not attack them at once, the best thing
they could do was to get into shelter without delay.
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