The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-03-22

bullet, except in the eye or under the
forearm. 1t was too dark to aim at these
parts; and my shots glanced harmlessIy
from the pyrimidal scales Of their bodies.
The loud report, however, and the blaze,
frightened them, and they fled, to return
again after long interval. | was asleep
when they returned; had gone to sleep
in spite of my efforts to keep awake. !
was startled by the touch Of something
cold; and, halfstided by the strong mus
ky odor that filled the air, | threw out my
arms. My fingers rested upon an object
slippery and cammy;i it was one OF these
monsters-one of gigantic size. Hehad
crawled close alongside me, and was
preparing to make his attack, as | saw
that he was bent in form OF bow, and ]
knew that these creatures assumed that
attitude when about 10 strike their victim
was just in time TO spring aside, and
avoid the stroke Of his powerful tail, that
the next moment swept the ground where
| had lain. Again fired, and he, with
the rest, once more retreated TO the lake.
All thoughts of going TO sleep were al
an end. Not that felt wakelul; on the
contrary, wearied with my days exer'
tions-for had had long pull under a
tropical sum could have laid down up
on the earth, in the mud. anywhere, and
slept in an instant. Nothing but the
dread certainly of my peril kept me a.
wake. Once again before morning. |
was compelled to battle with the hideous
reptiles, and chase them away with shot
from my gun.
Morning came at length, but with no
change in my perilous position. The
light only showed me my island prison,
but revealed no way of escape from it,
Indeed, the change could not be called
for the better, for the tervid rays
of an almost vertical sun poured down
upon me until my skin bistered. | was
already speckled by the bites of thou
sand swamp flies and mosquitoes that all
night had preyed upon me. There was
not cloud in the heavens 10 shade me;
and the sunbesms smote the surface ol
the dead bayou with double intensity.
Towards evening began TO hunger;
no wonder at that had not eaten since
leaving the village settlement. To as
sauge thirst, | drank the water of The
lake, turbd and Shiny as it was. drank
it in large quantities, for it was hot, and
only moistened my palate without quench.
ing the craving of my appetite. Of wa.
Ter there was enough: had more 10 fear
from want of food. What could eaIi
The ibis. But how 10 cook it? There
was nothing wherewith to make fire
not stick. No matter for that. Cook
ing is a modern invention, a luxury for
pampered palates. divested the ibis oI
its brilliant plumage, and ate it raw.
spoiled my specimen, but at the time
there was little thought of that. There
was not much OF the naturalist left in me
mathematical the hour ! had eveI
promised to procure the bird: wished
my friend up to his neck in a swamp
The ibis did not weigh above three lbs
bones and all. 1t served me for sec
ond meal, breakfast; but at this dejeune'
sans fomchette picked the bones.
What next? Starve? No-not yet
In the battles had with the alligator'
during the second night, one Of them hat
received a shot that proved mortal. Thc
hideous carcass ofthe reptile lay deat
upon the beach. need not starve
could eat that. Such were my refec
tons. must hunger, though, before
could bring myself to touch the musky
mortal. Two days more fasting con
ouered my sqeamishness, | drew out my
knife, cut steak from the alligator
tail, and ate it--nOt the one | had frs
killed, but second the other was nov
( putrid, rapidly decomposlng under tn
! hot sun--its odor filled the islet.
The stencil had grown intolerable
] There was not breath Of air stirring
otherwise | might have Stunned it b.
keeping windward. The whole atmos
! phere Of the slei, as well as large cir
| clc round It, was impregnated with tn
I fearful efilugium. | could bear it n
longer. With the aid Of my gun, push
/, ed the half decomposed carcasss into tn
4 lake. Perhapsihe current might carr
b il away. It did; had the satisfacno
to sec il Hoatof This circumstances lie
: me into train Of reflections. Why di
!, the body oflhe alligator aaatl Itwa
y swollen, inflated with gases. Hal