Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-05-30
CLARKsBURG, FRIDAY. MAY I4A'l?Y q Both, 20

bottom OF the DoatsN = q =
I8a /" No. 1 think not" replied the Span
lard, afterta3 moments hesitation but
am in hopes to do so before we return
a. Humphp' grunted Charley, raising
bottle of fred -colored liquid to his mouth
which had been wrapped inewet fiannel'
to keep cool. p g
Pull rascals 70 suddenly shouted the
Spaniard, looking towards the oarsnnan
"pull. rascals, and you shall dine off an
alligator. if / kill one.''
Singular as it may appear. the promise
did not inspire the men with that enthu>
siasm which one might have expected
under such strong temptation. They
made grimace expressive of disgust. but
bent to their oars with cheerfulness [; and
in few minutes we shut out the burial.
ground by turning an elbow of the river.
We passed numerous small villages,
the houses Of which were built of bamboo.
thatched with leaves of the same tree,
and raised from the ground on poles, at
an elevation of about five feet. This is
done to prevent their being swept away
during the rainy season. aud also for the
purpose of resisting the shocks OF earth
quakes-the flexible supporters yielding
as the ground rumbles. and unless the
earth opens, the dwellings of the natives
are more secure than those of their mass
ters. Frequently, during slight shock,
have l seen the huts sway to and fro, like
trees in strong gale, while the occupants
preferred remaing indoors to trusting
themselves out. well knowing that if their
habitations should fall they would be in
no danger of injury. as the materials were
too light to break the back of a respecta.
BILE sized flea.
It was near eleven o'clock before Don
Arturo gave orders to the natives to pull
for the land. We stopped under the
shade Of some large cocoa trees. unload
ed the boats and then bidding three of the
men follow, to carry our ammunition,
started for the lake. about dozen rods
distant. The sheet Of water was not very
large, covering an extent OF about fifty
acres; but think that it was the most
beautiful spot that ever saw.
The foliage of the trees was rank with
the richness Of the soil while along the
borders of the lake, bright colored flowers
and dense creeping vines were spread from
the branches. until even the sun could not
penetrate with q single ray. Hundreds
of birds with plumage of the most gaudy
description, were auttering from tree to
tree, too tame to be frightened at our ap-
proach while monkeys. with impudent
gestures. and bold, defiant chattering,
gathered in groups. and wondered why
we should thus invade their domains.
Upon arriving at the lake, we found a
large raft, built of bamboo, which had
been left by some sportsmen, few days
before. tied to tree. Upon this we de-
termined to embark, and try our fortune
upon the water. The natives were sent
back to the boats for paddles. while we
poceeded to load our rifles. AS soon as
they returned. we showed of. and work
ed our way slowly along the shore.
AS am then experienced alliga-
tor hunter" Arturo said, {" shall claim
the privilege of the first shot and If"
There is chance, then," Charley
said, interrupting the Spaniard. and point
ing to large log upon the surface of the
water.
"By Saint Antonia. but you are right"
the Don said. dropping upon his knees
for the purpose Of steadying his aim, and
trembling with nervous impatience.
"WelI." cried Charley, after a mo-
mennt's pause. " are you not going to
fire %
I'm minute, amigo. Now I think
I've got him on a line"
He discharged his rife, and the ball
flew harmlessly over the alligator. and
struck the water about thirty yards be-
yond him.
Did kill him % inquired the Span.
lard, springing to his feet.
Il should rather think not," Allen an
swered. with a laugh; "what did you
aim at ?'' #
The alligator"
Then the alligator appears to be very
much obliged to you; for see. he is swim
ming this way. and seems determined TO
make us a cal"
Pull for the shore u shouted the
Spaniard. dropping his rife, and grasping
a paddle.
Charley quietly winked to me, raised
his rifle, and the next instant its sharp re-
port reverbrated over the lake. and start
ed more than thousand monkeys into
an unearthly chattering. l watched for
the ball to strike. and saw the monster
raise his head with sudden jerk. and
then lash the water into a white foam
with its tail. In another an instant he
had disappeared beneath its surface.
g You have killed him. Charley" 1
cried.
Not so." Allen said the ball struck
him in the mouth, and tomorrow he will
be as well as ever"
He had scarcely finished speaking when
a cry from Don Arturo startled us. We
turned towards him. and saw that he had
fnrsakan his nahdla and was nnintin..