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

"Not so,'' Allen said ssthe ball struck him il
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 he was pointing with o trembling hand
towards half-a-dozen black objects which were slowly
swimming towards US, and were not more than thirty
yards distant.
"By all the saints in the calender, but we are in
for it, Allen said, throwing a charge of powder into
his rifle, and ramming down a ball with haste.
what is the matter 20 1 inquired.
"Don't ask questions, but fire at the nearest one.
Hit him in the eye, if you CAM
L did not wait for further instructions, but took
deliberate aim, and had the satisfaction ofseeing the
monster leap high out of the water, and then sink
from view.
"Well done,'' Charley cried, :" load again as soon
as possible. We must fight our way to shore, for
every inch of ground will be disputed"
glanced towards the Don as I loaded, and saw
that he was seated on the raft, his rife lying by his
SIDE, and his eyes fixed upon the approaching alliga-
tors with a strong expression Of fear upon his face.
The rowers also ceased their labor, and were nearly
as pallid as their master. Charley shouted out some
thing, speaking to the natives in their own language.
which they understand much better than they do
Spanish. They at once obeyed his order, grasping
their oars with energy, and dashing them into the
water, they urged the light raft along at a rapid
rate.
1t appeared rs though each discharge of our rifles
brought fresh ~ailigators to the surface, for I saw no
less than q dozen with their heads out of the water,
Watching our movements with great interest, and
S@~NNAO own OdI DIS IL IDcH N1SuGl L o e
Venge themselves for the injury inflicted upon their
companions. Presently one much larger than the
others darted towards the raft and when within O.
few feet, suddenly disappeared from view.
" Mind your footing,'' shouted Charley, sinking
u.s.
| had hardly time to follow his example when the
raft was struck a violent blow, and shook as though
every bamboo in it would break. [ chung to the
lashings for support, and vainly shouted to the ma
tVes to Go the same. They either did not under
stand Charley's warnings or were too anxious to reach
the shore to pay any attention to it, for they still pad
died on-Whcn suddenly one of them lost his balance,
and, with a wild yell fell headlong into the water.
In an instant every alligator disappeared beneath
the surface, and only a few bubbles which slowly rose
tod OF the struggle that was going on beneath.
Now for the paddles, > shouted Allen, springing
10 MS rect and grasping one, while he motioned to me
to take the other.
But the native?' > I gasped.
e" Is dead before this time, and they are quarrel
ling over his bones below. They have tasted blood,
and if we do not reach the shore before he is eaten
there will be another victim. Pull for your life, if
you value it."
| dashed the paddle into the water, and we urged
the raft rapidly towards the landing, which was only
about fifty feet distant.
Look cried Charley, glancing over his shoulder,
but don't spare you strength
L followed the direction of his ewes. and saw moro
than hfty black shouts raised above the surface of the !
lake, and after a short survey disappear.
The rascals know where we are, - Allen exclaimed,
cedS4nS ms toll " but | think we shall dis
appoint them this time.''
" L VOW a gold candlestick to Saint
At this instant the raft struck the shore. and the
opanlard, without waiting to complete his VOW, sprang :
20 the land, and was quickly followed by the natives
lnd ourselves. We had barely secured a foot-hold be-
ore halt-a-dozen Shiny monsters rose beside the raft.
'nd even rested their heads upon it, to be certain it
vas vacated. L was too thankful at our escape to 1
nOlest them (; but not so with Allen. He took delhi i
,rate aim at the largest and fired.
In an instant we were covered with mud and water.
which the alligator in his death struggle hurled upon
and then all was calm, ard the monsters dead
BODY Hoated beside the raft. AS if by magic. every
BACK snout had disappeared, and the waters of the
axe were unruf1ed.
"A brave shot, Signor Allen,' cried the Don.
earchlng amongst the provisions for something to 8
eVlye his courage. ga brave shot, and to prove to y
gu that appreciate it, we will open a bottle of the
of Spain.'
we did empty the bottle, and it was not until near
undoWn that we left the borders of the lake and re- 4
urned home. By that time the Don fnncied that he
Killed the alligator and, as we did not contra
him' he used to frequently boast of his skill as a
Ihe death of the native was hardly alluded to nv
opanlard, for they value not the lives Of Metis in
lanila.
HOTTSES G, TANDS