Then they enter the river until the water reaches the
waist. The crocodile rushes upon the Indian with open mouth to devour
him. The latter presents to it his protected arm and the hand with the
stake, so that the beast may seize it, and runs it into the animal's
mouth in such a position that it cannot shut its mouth or make use
of its strong teeth to attack its slayer. Feeling the pain of the
sharp stake the crocodile becomes so docile that it neither resists
nor attacks, nor dares move, for the slightest movement causes it
pain. Thereupon the barbarian, pulling strongly on the stake, wounds
the beast repeatedly with a dagger (carried in the right hand) in the
throat, until it bleeds to death. Then it is drawn ashore with lines
and ropes, with the aid of other Indians who unite to drag it in; and
many are needed, because of the huge bodies of those crocodiles. They
resemble lizards, but are furnished with scales so strong that scarce
can an arquebus-shot dent them. The only vulnerable spots are the
throat and under parts of the legs [_i.
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