Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-03-27
A DAY WITHaAlLiGATORS
Life In the PHILIPPINE Islands.

nv friend Don Arturo, an old Span
lard living in the neighborhood 9
Manila, conyersing with him and hi
pretty wife on various topics, ocea
sionally slipping a glass of wine, an
partaking of some of the rich fruit
which were placed in an old-fashione'
silver tray at our elbows, We a
length began tofeel anxious for SOM
scene Of more activity.
81 will tell you what we will do tt
amuse ourselves" cried the Spaniard
suddenly, removing his cigar, ant
1 glancing up and down the river Pc
sig, which quietly flowed along with
ia a stones throw of the house.
81 lis!en," said /, removing the
skin from a golden-colored banana.
"What say you to shooting alliga'
tors, my friend? That will be amuse
ment worthy of men who have passed
through the trying scenes OF the
earthquake with mistaken nerves
What say you, shall we go?''
"On one condition--that we in'
vite my friend Allen to be one o.
the party"
"Invite him by all MEANS cried
Don Arturo, with warmth. 81 will
write him note requesting him to
ride over tonight, and start with US
in the morning
'Don't trouble yourself" | answer
ed;"I will ride over myself and ask
him."
"a good plan, nay friend, and wor'
thy of you. Order the best horse
in the stable, aud let the servant put
the old Spanish saddle upon bis back
the one that | use"
This was an act of politeness that
| 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 l said, as left the room to
dress for my ride.
l found Mr.. Allen at home, and
received warm welcome. lie was
about sitting down to breakfast, aud
| required no urging to join him
After the meal / 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 60 alone
81 do not intend to so alone.
Don Arturo is to be one of the party"
"And he will run on the first ap'
pearance of danger"
"Do you think so?"
81 know that be will. But l will
make one Of the party. Stop here
until afternoon, and then Ill ride
over with you. In the meantime |
will get my rifle in order and send
it over to the Spaniard's house.
readily consented to this plan'
and spent an agreeable afternoon in
listening to his interesting stories ol
adventures. Before dark we were at
the Spaniard's house, and made all
preparations for an early start on the
next day. At an early hour we re-
tired to rest, after dispatching SER
want to hire two large ba.qos for the
transportation Of ourselves and pro-
visions to small lake up the river
We rose at daybreak, partook OF &
hearty breakfast, swallowed a few
cups of coffee that was strong enough
TO bear an egg, and then walked tt
the river banks where the boats were
awaiting US. One of the banq0s wal
filed With our tent, blankets, ant
provisions, while the other, whIci
was handsomely decorated, was re
served for ourselves. Four Metls
or half.castes, were detailed Tor eacl
boat. to row or use their long poles
as the state Of the rivers curren
permitted. :.
@The arigador,'' said Don Arturo
las we shot into the stream, lighting
a fresh cigar, and reclining his hea'
mon a bundle ofpillows, ''is a pecu
liar animal, and requires some SKI y
as a marksman to kill with . tn L
shot. This is the season ior the le
males to lay their eggs, SO thas y. v
shall have plenty of chances to o.
them before they take to: tn
water--although / am bound to col
lfess that they are more ieIoc'0'