Numberless crocodiles bounded into the air, braying, snorting, rending
one another and churning the river into froth by their hideous battle.
Dwellers of the deep water drifted into the upper tide--monsters of the
muck at the Nile bottom, turtles, huge crawfish, water-newts, spotted
snakes, curious bleached creatures that had never seen the day, great
drifts of insects, with frogs, tadpoles--everything of aquatic animate
life, came up dead or dying terribly. Along either bank water-buffalo
and wallowing swine, which had been in the pools near the river,
clambered ponderously, snorting at every step.
Vessels were putting about and flying for the shore. From the prow of
one tall boat, with distended sails, a figure was seen to spring high
and disappear under the red torrent. Rioting crews of river-men fought
for first landing at the accessible places on the banks. Memphis
shrieked and the pastures became compounds of wild beasts that deafened
heaven with their savage bellowing.
Pepi and Nari had no thought of saving themselves. It was Masanath who
must save them. They clung to her, dragging her down with their arms
when she attempted to rise. Bereft of reason, they made the liquid
echoes of the river ring with wild cries of mortal terror.
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