Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-05-30
ADAY WITH ALLIGATORS;
Or. Life in the Philippine Islands.
RY wILL1AN Il. THOMAS.


About week after the tiger hunt.
Don Arturo, his pretty wife, and myself,
were seated at window in the Spaniard's
country residence, conversing on various
topics, occaSionly slipping a glass of wine,
and partaking of some of the rich fruits
which were placed in an old-fashioned
silver tray at our elbows.
:" | will tell you what we will do to
amuse ourselves" cried the Spaniard.
suddenly removing his cigar, and glan>
cling up and down the river Pasig, which
quietly flowed along within a stones
throw Of the house.
81 listen," said l removing the skin
from golden colored banana.
What say you to shooting alllgators,
my friend ? That will be amusement
worthy OF men who have passed through
the trying scenes Of an earthquake with
mistaken nerves. What say you, shall
we go ?''
ION one condition-that we invite my
friend Allen to be one Of the party"
Invite him by all MEANS" cried Don
Arturo, with warmth. ''I will write
p note requesting him to ride over to
night, and start with us in the morning."
Don't trouble yourself" answered;
"I will ride over myself and ask him.
"A good plan. my friend, and worthy
Of you. Order the best horse in the sta
BILE, and let the servant put the old Span
ish saddle upon his back. The one that
l USE"
This was an act Of politeness that l
never expected Of the Don, as he priced
that saddle almost as much as he did his
wife,
Il will be back before many hours. I"
I said as left the room to dress for my
ride.
found Mr.. Allen at home, and receiv-
ed warm welcome. He was about Sit
ting down to breakfast, and l required no
urging to join him. After the meal l
made my errand known to Allen. who
took some time to consider on the subject,
much to my surprise.
There is more danger than sport
in what you propose" Allen said " but
you shall not go alone"
II do not intend to go alone. Don
Arturo is to be one Of the party"
And he will run on the first appear
ance of danger ...
"Do you think so ?"
81 know that he will. But | will make
one of the party. Stop here until after
noon, and then III ride over with you.-
In the meantime will get my rife in or
der and send it over to the Spaniard' s
house.
readily consented to the plan. and
spent an agreeable afternoon in listening
to his agreeable stories of adventures
Before dark we were at the Spaniard's s
house and made all preparations for an
early start on the next day. At an early
hour We retired to rest. after dispatching
servant to hire two large 6anQos for the
transportation of ourselves and provisions
to small lake up the river.
We at day break. partook of a hear
ty breakfast, swallowed a few cups of cof-
fee that was strong enough to bear an
egg, and then walked to the river banks
where the boats were awaiting US. One
blankets, and provisions, while the other.
which was handsomely decorated, was
reserved for ourselves. Four Metis, or
half-castes, were detailed for each boat.
to row or use their long poles. as the state
of the rivers current permitted.
The alligator" said Don Arturo. as
we shot into the stream, lighting fresh
cigar. and reclining his head upon bun
die Of pillow. is peculiar animal, and
requires some skill as marksman to kill
with rifle shot. This is the season for
the females to lay their eggs, so that we
shall have plenty of chances to hit them
before they take to the water-although
| am bound to confess that .hey are more
ferocicus now than at any other time of
the year. ae s& @ .a
..Did you ever kill onesat single
shot?" asked Allen, Initiating the Don's
example. aud stretching himself at the