Unknown by Unknown

fright, but the croc was so busy with the fish that Ningara had time to climb up the bank to safety.
    'Thank goodness,' she said, heartfelt: If the crocodile hadn't been so interested in the barramundi which was one of its favourite natural foods, the outcome would have been tragic.
    'It looks as if Fang will have to be moved before someone is taken,' she added.
    Ben shot her a sidelong glance. 'Fang?'
    'It's the name I gave to the crocodile with the damaged jaw,' she explained. 'He's most likely to be the one causing the trouble.'
    'It couldn't possibly be the female,' he said, his tone sarcastic.
    'Females aren't always the troublemakers,' she said, well aware of his train of thought.
    'You could be right,' he relented. 'We'll see whether Ningara's description of his crocodile matches your Fang.'
    'If it does, what will you do then?'
    'You said he wouldn't be dangerous if he had a steady food supply. I could keep him as a mate for Matilda.'
    It was an inspired idea. 'He'd be perfect,' she enthused. 'From my observations, he's in good condition, apart from his jaw, and he's of breeding age. It would certainly be a better solution than moving him to a new location, then having him turn up again in a few months' time.'
    'Which solves the crocodile problem at least,' Ben said in a low voice.
    'What other problem is there?' she asked. Even as she said it, she remembered and was glad he was too involved in the driving to see the colour which surged into her face.
    'I still mean to find out who hurt you,' he confirmed. 'How can you protect someone who'd do such a thing?'
    'It depends how much you care for that person,' she said carefully. 'In any case, it's in the past now. Why is it so important to you?'
    His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. 'Because I . . . because you're important to me.'
    A lump rose in her throat. If only he was saying it because he truly cared, and not because of the good she could do for Robyn. She looked steadily out of the window, blinking furiously.
    She was relieved when they finally drove up to the clearing at Crocodile Creek. It was light enough to see without torches. On the riverbank, a group of stockmen clustered around a seated figure whom she recognised as Ningara. Even from there she could see he was recounting his adventures in great detail. No doubt it would be the subject of a grand corroborree in due course.
    Talking to Ningara soon confirmed that Fang was the crocodile which had attacked him. 'He's a plenty big kinga,' he confirmed. 'Better you catch him soon, boss.'
    Thanks to Keri's observations, they already knew most of Fang's movements so they were spared the task of tracking it by spotlight over several nights. They could start choosing the best trapping sites in the main groves straight away.
    After helping him clear several passages through the mangroves, Ben's stockmen clustered around while he explained how the crocodile trap worked.
    It was a simple socklike net with a bait at the narrow end and a noose around the entrance. 'When the crocodile grabs the bait, he releases a weight high up in a nearby tree. This comes down and closes the noose on the crocodile,' he explained while they nodded thoughtfully. Keri was already familiar with the method and she found herself focusing on Ben's expressive hands and the richness of his voice as he briefed his men. It was an effort to keep her mind on the task at hand.
    The men were less enthusiastic when it came to setting up the trap. This had to be done at low tide so that the trap was submerged when the water rose. By the time the trap was set, everyone was covered in mud and eaten by mosquitoes and sandflies. Using repellents was out of the question as the crocodile's acute sense of smell would detect any hint of chemicals.
    'What happens now?' she asked Ben as they brushed the caked mud off their legs.
    'We leave the trap unbaited for a couple of days so Fang gets used to it. Then we bait it with a few pounds of wild pig or a