A man is being attacked by a crocodile while another man holds the victim's hands. It is unclear whether the man is trying to rescue the victim or not. A third man carrying a sword prepares to strike the crocodile, while a fourth person claps his hands together. The presence of the crocodile is significant. Reptiles are most closely associated with the passage between the worlds and the relationship between life and death--the crocodile, a dangerous animal, represents death. The crocodile could also represent simbi, a dangerous spirit that, in Kongo mythology, resides in rivers. Such crocodiles (ngandu a nkitu) could suddenly appear, attack a boat, and disappear with both humans and trade goods. Or, could kidnap people on shore and sell them into slavery. The depiction of the menacing crocodile here and in the Slave Caravan could refer to such events.

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