New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-03-24
a DAY nv TIL ALLIGATORs
& E.sfe iii the Phillipine Islands.

{H5 +
While seated one morning in the window Of the
country residence Of my friend Don Arturo an old
Spaniard living in the neighborhood Of Manila, CON
vesing with him and his pretty wife various topics
occasionally Shipping glass Of wine, and partakng of
some Of the rich fruits which were placed in an old
fashioned silver tray at our elbows, we at length be-
gan to feel anxious forsone scene Of more activity.
will tell you what we will do to alnnse ourseyes''
cried Tile spaniard, suddenly removing his cigar and
glaneing up and down the river Pesig which quietly
flowed along within q stones throw Of the house.
50 listen said !, removing the skin from golden
Eoored banana. 5Es
s What say you to shooting allgatols my friend?
That will be amusement worthy of men who have
passed through the trying scenes of the earthquake
with mistaken nerves. What say you, shall we go n
On eondition-tlat we invite my friend Allen
b TO be one of the party, SS5 III
Invite him by all means,'' cried DOH Arturo with
warmth. Twill write him a note requesting him to
ride over tonight. and start ii us in the morning"
trouble oulself Z answered 81 will ride
49, esyod plan my friend and worthy of you Or
ser the best horse the stable, andl the servant
put the old Spanish saddle upon ha eh-the one
That + llsei'
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. .
"a viii be back before many hours said, as
4 left the room to dress for my ride.
found Mr. Allen at home, and received a warm
welcome He was about sitting down to breakfast,
and required no urging te join him. liter the meal
IInade my errand known to Allen, who took some
time to consider the subject, much to my surprise
q There is more danger than sport in what you pro-
pose, Allen said { but you shall not so alonen .
- do not intend 70 go alone Don Arturo is to be
q one Of the part tyr s$
8 gel. v. Il
& know tllat Lie will ;#but will make one Of the
party. Stop here until afternoon, and then LII ride
over with You. IN the meantime will get my rife
III order and send it oyer to the Spaniard's house.
readily consented this plan, and spent an agree.
able afternoon in listening to bis stores OF
adventures. Before dark we were at the spanlards
house. and made all preparations for an early start on
i the next day. At an early hour we retired TO rest.
after dispatching servant to hire two large banqos
forthe ranspor Of ourselves and to Q
We rose at dayhrea, partook Oft hearty breakfast,
swallowed few cups Of coffee that strong enough
to bear an egg, and then walked to the river banks
where the boats were awaiting us. One Of the banqos
was filled with our tent, blankets and provisions,
while the other, which was handsomely decorated,
was reserved for ourselves -Four Nets, or hatcastes
were detailed for each bout to row or use their long
poles as the state of the rivers current permitted
81 6 The atigador," said Don Arturo, as We shotnto
the stream, lighting "a fresh cigar, and reclining his
head upon bundle of pillows, lis peculiar animal
and requires some skill as marksman to kill with
rifle shot This is the season for the females to lay
THEN eggs that shall have plenty of chances tt
hit them before they take to the water-athough j
am bound to confess that they ferocious nov
d. f. n h.
z Did yon ever kill one at single shot asked
Allen, initiating the Don's example, and stretchn:
himself at the bottom ofthe boat
8asf No, 4 think not,n replied the Spaniard, after
moments hesitation but am in hopes to do so be
fore NC return. 4i5 3s 3s5 5
y. Humph! Y grunted Charley, raising a bottle {
lea-coored liquid to his mouth, which had been wal
ped in wet flanneIsto keep cool.
q #" Pull, rascas f. suddenly shouted the Spaniart
looking towards the oarsren e Pull, rascals an
you shall dine off an alligator, i'll kill one.
Singular as il may appear the promise did not Il
gpire the men with that enthusiasm which one mlgl
have expected under such strong temptation The
made q grtmace, expressive Of disgust-but bent
their oars with cheerfulness and In a fey minute
I'VE shut out the burial ground by turning an elbow
the river IA 8 S$
We passed numerous small villages, the houses
which were built Of bamboo, matched with leaves
the same tree, and raised from the ground on pole
at an elevation Of about five feet. This is done
prevent their being swept away during the rainy Sc
son, and also for the purpose Of resisting the shocl
of earthquakes flexible supporters yielding as ii
ground gnmbies, and unless the earth opens IL
alings of the natives are more secure than tho
of slasir masters. Frequently during slight shoe
Hive seen tile buts sway to and fro, like trees in
strong gale while the occupants preferred reainir
indoors to trusting themselves ont, Ne-knoWng til
Ill teil lid should fall they would be in
8f inafy.as the materials were too slight
zhteais ttIse back Of a respectable sized flea.
Th3s8as nearly 1 / o'clock before Don ATtnro ga
ofdeISfo the natives TO pull for the land. We ste
ped uaer the shade of large cocoa trees, unload
boats and then, bidding three OF the men folio
TO carry ammunition started for the lake, abou
dozen rods distant. The sheet Of water was
very large covering an extent of about fifty acre
but think that II vas the most beautiful spot eN
saw.
The foliage Of the trees was rank with the richn