I do not understand

For Fatima had gone across with the fifth girl, holding on to the crocodile’s tail.

I do not understand this sentence. :frowning:

(The crocodile didn’t eat Fatima) because she already crossed the river together with the fifth girl, holding the crocodile by his tale.

“for” here also means “because”

the fifth girl and her had gone across… while/at the same time…she was… holding the crocodiles tail