Litchfield enquirer., 1856-04-03
\ Day With Alligators. Life in the Philippine Islands.

Life in the Philippine Islands.
 About a week after the tigerhunt, Don Arturo, his pretty wife, and myself, were seated at window in the Spaniards country resi- dence, conversing on various topics, occasionally slipping glass of wine and partaking of some of the rich fruits which were placed in an old fashioned silver tray at our elbows.
 "I will tell you what we will do to amuse ourselves" cried the Spniard, suddenly re- moving his cigar, and glancing up and down the river Pasig, which quietly flowed along within stones throw of the house.
 "I lsten," said l, removing the skin from golden-coored banana.
 "What say you to shooting alligators, my friend? That will be amusement worthy of men who have passed through the trying scenes of an earthquake with nnshaken nerves. What say you. shall we go?"
 "On one conditon-that we invite my friend Allen to be one of the party"
 Invite him by all means" cried Don Ar turo, with warmth "I will write him note requesting him to ride over tonight, 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 stable, and let the servant put the old Spanish saddle upon his back. The one that use"
 This was an act of politcness that never expected of the Don, as he prized that saddle almost us much as he did his wife
 l will be back before many hours" I said as left the room to dress for my ride
 l found Mir. Allen at home, and received a warm welcome. He was about sitting down to breakfast, and l required no urging to join him After the meal made my errand known to Hen, who took some time to consider on the subject, much to my surprise.
 There is more danger than sport tn what yon propose" Allen said but you shall not 20 alone"
 "l do not intend to go alone Don Arturo is to be one of the party"
 And he will run oa the first appearance of danger"
 Do you think so p
 "I know that he will But will make one of the party. Stop here until afternoon, and then I'll ride over with you In the meantime l will get my rife in order and send it over to the Spaniar,i's house."
 I readily consented to this plan, and speut an agreeable afternoon in listening to his in- teresting stories of adventures Before dark we were at the Spanard's house. and made all preparations for an early start on the next day. At an early hour we retired to rest, after de- spatching a servant to hire two large banqos for the transportation of ourselves aud pro visions to a small lake up the river
 We rose at daybrcak, partook of hearty breakfast, swallowed 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 bdngos was filled with our tent blankets, and provisions, while the other, which was handsomely decorated was reserved for ourselves. Four Mets, or half castcs, 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 VIC shot into the stream, lighting fresh cigar, and reclining his head upon bundle of pillows, is . peculiar animal and requires some skill as marksman to kill with rife shot. This is the season for the females to lay their eggs, so that we shall have plenty of chances to hit them be fore they take to the water-although am bound to confess that they are more ferocious nov than at any other time of the year."
 Dad you ever kill one at a single shot ?'' asked Allen, initiating the Don's example. and stretching himself at the bottom of the boat,
 "No, think not" replied the Spaniard, after moments hesitation but am in hopes to do so before we return"
 Humph I" grunted Charley. raising bottle of red-colored liquid to his mouth, which had been wrapped in wet dannels to keep cool.
 Pull rascals l" suddenly shouted the Spa niarl, looking towards the earsmen pull, ras cals. and you shall dine of an alligator, if kill one.s
 Singular as it may appear. the promise did not inspire the men with that enthusiasm whici one might have expected under such strong temptation They made grimace. expressly, of disgust. but bent to their oars with cheer fdlness and In few minutes we shut out tn, battle-ground by turning an elbow of the river
 We passed numerous small villages, tn, s bosses of which were built of bamboo, thatched with leaves of the same tree, and raised from the ground on poles, at an elevation of abou, i've feet. This is done to prevent their being