Litchfield enquirer., 1856-04-03

ring slight shock, have seen the huts sway to and fro, like trees in strong gale, while 1 the occupants preferred remaining in doors to l trusting themselves out, well knowing that if their habitations should fall they would be in | no danger of injury, as the materials were too slight to break the back of a respectable sized 1 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, unloaded the boats, and then, bid ding three of the men follow, to carry our am- intuition, started for the lake, about dozen rods distant. The sheet of water was not 1 very large, covering an extent of about fifty , acres but think that it was the most beauti- full spot that l 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 creep ing vines were spread from branch to branch, until even the sun could not penetrate with a single ray. Hundreds of birds, with plumage of the most gaudy description were futtering from tree to tree, too tame to be frightened at our approach 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, a few days before, tied to a tree. Upon this we determined to embark, and try our fortune upon the water The natives were sent back to the boats for paddles, while We proceeded to load our rifles As soon as they returned, we showed off, and worked our way slowly along the shore
 "As am the most experienced alligator hunter" Don Arturo said, II shall claim the privilege of the first shot and if"
 "There is a chance, thcn," Charley said in- terrupting the Spaniard, and pointing to what l supposed to be large log upon the surface of the water.
 By Saint Antonio, but you are right !" the Don said, dropping upon his knees for the pur- pose of steadying his aim, and trembling with nervous impatiencc.
 "Well," cried Charley, after moments pause, " are you not going to fire P
 "In a minute amigo. Now think Ive got him on linc"
 He discharged his rife, and the ball flew water about thirty yards beyond him.
 Did kill him ?" inquired the Spaniard, springng to his feet
 
 with laugh "what did you aim at ?"
 "The alligator"
 "Then the alligator appears to be very much obliged to you for see, he is swimming this way. and seems determined to make us a call"
 Pull for the shore !" shouted the Spaniard dropping his rife, and grasping paddle Charley quietly winked to me, raised his rifle and the next instant it's sharp report reverbera- ted over the lake, and started more than thousand monkeys into an unearthly chatterng l watched for the ball to strike, and saw the monster raise his head with sudden jerk and then lash the water into white foam with his tail In another instant he had disappeared beneath its surface.
 "You have killed him, Charley" 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 cry from Don Arturo startled us. We turned to- wards him, and saw that he had forsaken his paddle, and was pointing with trembling hand towards halfa-dozen black objects which were slowly swimming towards us, and were not more | than thirty yards distant. By all the saints in the calendar but we are in for it," Allen said, throwing charge of powder into his rife, and ramming down ball l with haste. --....
 What is the matter ?" inquired Don't ask questions, but fire at the nearest onc Hit him in the eye if you can" did not wait for further instructions, but took deliberate aim, and had the satisfaction of seeing the monster leap high out of the water, and then sink from view "Wcll done," Charley cried "load again as soon as possible We must fight our way to the shore, for every inch of ground will be dis puted."
 | glanced towards the Don as loaded, and saw that he was seated on the raft, his rife ly- | ing by his side, and his eyes fixed upon the ap- preaching alligators with strong expression of fear upon his face The rowers also had ceased their labor, and were nearly as palGd as their master. Charley shouted out something, 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 rapid rate.
 It appeared as though each discharge of our rifles brought fresh alligators to the surface, for saw no less than dozen with their heads out of the water, watching our movements with great interest, and gradually drawing nearer, as if they wished to revenge themselves for the in ljury inflicted upon their companions Present. ly one much larger than the others darted to- wards the raft and when within few feet suddenly disappeared from view.