The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1856-11-20
A Day wish Anfgasors.

the nciShOofnood OF manila, eonverslng with I'M
and his pretty wife On various topics, OCCASIONAL
slpplng a glass of wine, and ~partaking of some of til
rich fruits which were placed in an old-fashione
silver tray at our elbows, we at length began to fee
anxious for some scene of more activity.
81 will tell you what we viii do to amuse our
Selves cried the Spaniard, suddenly, removing hi
cigar. and glancing up and down the Pesig, which
quitely flowed along within a stones throw of tn
house.
81 listen, , saidI,r removing the skin from a golden.
col0red banana.
what say you to shooting alligators, my friend
That viii pc amusement worthy Of men who have beer
through the trying scenes of the earthquake with
unshaken nerves. What say you, shall we go 90
"On one condition-that we invite my friend
Allen to be one of the party
Invite him by all means,'' cried Don Arturo.
with warmth. "1 VIII write him a note requesting
him to ride over tonight, and start with us in the
morning"
Don't trouble yourself 1 answered I ' will ride
over myself and ask him"
ga good plan, my friend, and worthy of YOU.
Order the best horse in the stable, and let the servant
put the old Spanish saddle upon his back-the one
that [ use"
This was an act of politeness that 1 never expect
ed Of the Don, as he prized that saddle almost as
much as he did his wife,
"I will be back before many hours I said. as 7
left the room to dress for my ride.
g found Mr.. Allen at home, and received a warm
welcome. lie was about sitting down to breakfast
and I 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 nv surprise.
"There is more danger than sport in what YOU
propose" Allen said ''but you shall not go alone,
81 do not intend to go alone. Don Arturo is to be
one of the party
"And he viii run on the first appearance of dan
GER" N1H
500 you think so -;
"I know that he will but I will make one of the
party. Stop here until afternoon, and then I'll ride
over with you. In the meantime [ will get nv 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 of 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
retired to rest after dispatching a servant to hire two
large 60RquoS for the transportation of ourselves and
provisions to q small lake up the river.
We rose at d~aybreak, partook of a hearty break
fast, swallowed q few cups of coffee that was strong
enough to bear an egg, and then walked to the river
banks where the boats were awaiting us. One of the
6GnquoS was filled with our tent, blankets and pro-
visions, while the other, which was handsomely dec
GRATED, was reserved for ourselves. Four Metis. or
half-castes, were detailed for each boat. to row or nse
their long poles, as the state Of the rivers current
permitted.
"The alligator said Don Arturo. as we shot in
to the stream, lighting a fresh cigar, and reclining
his head upon a bundle of pillows, "is a peculiar
animal and requires some skill as a marksman to kill
with a 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
"lliOuSu L ain DOulu 10 confess that theV are moro
Ieroclous now than at any other time of the wear.
Did you ever kill one at a single shot 30 asked
Allen, initiating the Don's example, and stretching
himself at the bottom of the boat.
NO., think not" replied the Spaniard, after a
moments hesitation "but 1 am in hopes to do so
before we return.''
"Humph - grunted Charley, raising a cup of
red-colored liquid to his mouth, which had been
wrapped in wet tannels to keep cool.
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 enthusiasm which one
might have expected under such strong temptatiop.
They made a grimace, expressive of disgust-but
bent TO their oars with cheerfulness and in n few
we shut out the battle-ground by turning
an elbow of the river.
We passed numerous small villages, the houses of
which were built of bamboo, matched With leaves Of
the same tree, and raised from the ground on noIes
at an elevation of about five feet. This is done to
prevent their being swept away during the rainy sea-
ana also Tor the purpose of resisting the shocks
OF earthquakes-Hexibl supporters Welding rs tbo
ground rumbles, and unless the ground onens tbo
OF the natives are more secure than those
ot their masters. Frequently, during a Slight shock.
nave t seen the huts sway to and fro, like trees in a
'rong gale, while the occupants preferred REMAINING (
INDOORS to trusting themselves out, welI-knowing tbo3 g
I their habltatiOns should fall they would be in not
much danger ct injury, as the materials were too
light to break the back of a respectable sized flea.
1t was nearly eleven O'Clock before Don Arturo :
orders to the natives to pull for land. We stop :
'ed under the shade of large cocoa-tree. unIoadad
he boats and bidding three of the men follow. TO car
J our ammunition, started for the lake. abont y
Oxen rods distant. The sheet of water was not erT
lrge, covering an extent of about fifty acres hnt =
INK that 1t was the most beautiful spot I ever saw 4
The foliage OF the trees was rank with the richness i
the soil while all along the borders of the lake
right colored flowers and dense creeping vines were :
oread from branch to branch, until even fbe snn Z
,uld not penetrate with a single ray. Hundreds of !
lrds, with plumage of the most gaudy description
ere Huttering from tree to tree, too tame 70 he =
1ghtened at our approach while monkeys. with 7
gestures. and bold, defiant chattering j
altered IN groups, and wondered wbv we sbouiId tn
JUS invade their domains. sir
Upon arriving at the lake, we found a LARGE raft
hit OF bamboo, which had been left bv some snorts
en- a few days before tied to a tree. Upon this we F,
to embark and try our fortune -unon the 4
tier. The natives were sent back to the boats for y
ddles, while We proceeded to load our rifles As &c;
on as they returned we showed off. and worked onr de
y slowly along the shore. HI
g As | am the most experienced aT1;oo+or b,,t. !, mo
ID Don Arturo, 81 shall claim the privilege of tha
st shot and if =
: There is a chance then,'' Charley said. inter -
ptlng the SpanIard. and pointing to what surpassed y
pe a large log upon the surface of the water. the
!, Dy SAINT Antonio, but you are right =, the Don (,
10, dropping upon his knees for the nnrnoso Of |
aoylng ms aim, and trembling with nervous imna-
Well" cried Charley, after a momen+,s ona rs
ire you not going to FIRE =, pause sd
. In a moment, GRiago. Now I think To m f II,