The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1856-06-26

PIE, anu stretching himself at tuc uOetom
of the boat.
"No, l think not replied the Span
lard, after moments hesitation; "But
l am in hopes to do so before we return. !"
"HumphP' grunted Charley. raising a
bottle of red colored liquid to his mouth,
which had been wrapped in wet iannels
to keep cool.
"Pull, rascals' suddenly shouted the
Spaniard, looking toward the oarsmen;
"pull rascals, and you shall dine off an
alligator, if I kill one.''
Singular as it may appear, the promise
did not in inspire the men with enthusiasm
which one might have expected under
such strong temptation. They made a
grimmace expressive of disgust, but bent
to their oars with cheerfulness; and in a
few minutes we shut out the burial
ground, by turning an elbow of the riv-
/ er.
We passed numerous small villages,
the houses of which were built of bamboo
tha!ched with leaves of the same tree,
and raised from the ground on poles, at
an elevation of about five feet. This is
done to prevent their being swept away
during the rainy season, and also for the
purpose of resisting the shocks of earth
quakes-the flexible supporters yielding
as the ground rumb!es, and, unless the
earth opens, the dwellings of the natives
are more secure than those of their mas
ters. Frequently, during slight shock
have seen the huts sway to and fro,
like trees in a gale, while the occupants
preferred remaining in doors to 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 respecta-
BILE flea.
1t 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, unload
ed the the boats, and then, bidding three
of the men follow to carry our ammuni-
ton, started for the lake about dozen
rods distant. The sheet of water was
not very large, covering an extent of a
bout fifty acres; but | think that, it was
the most beautiful spot ever saw. The
foliage of the trees was rank with the rich
ness Of the soil; while all along the bor-
ders of the lake bright colored flowers and
dense creeping vines were spread from
branch to branch, until even the sun
could not penetrate with single ray
Hundreds of birds, with plumage of the
most gaudy description, were futtering
from tree to tree, too tame to be frighten-
ed at our approach; while monkeys with
impudent gestures, and bold, defiant,
chattering, gathered in groups, aud won
dered why we should thus invade their
domain.
Upon arriving at the lake we found a
large raft, built of bamboo, which had
been left by some sportsmen few days
before, tied to tree. Upon this we de-
termined to embark, and try our fortune
upon the water. The natives were sent
to the boats for paddles. while we pro-
ceeded to load our rifles. AS soon as
they returned we showed off, and worked
our way slowly along the shore.
GAS 1 am the most experienced alliga-
tor hunter" Don Arturo said, Il shall
claim the first shot; and if
"There is chance, then" Charley
said, interrupting the spaniard, and point
ing to what Isupposed to be a large log
upon the surface Of the water.
"By Saint Antonio, but you are right"
the Don said, dropping upon his knees
for the purpose of steadying his aim,
and trembling with nervous impotence.
"Well,' criel Charley, after a mo-
ment's pause, "are you not going to
fre?"
In minute, amigo. Now I think I've
got him on line."
He discharged his rife, and the ball
few harmlessly over the alligator, and
struck the water thirty yards beyond him.
"Did l kill him?" inquired the Span
lard springing to his feet.
s.I should rather think not" Allen an
swered with laugh; what did you aim
at?"
'"rhe alligator -
"Then the alligator appears to be very
much obliged to you; for, see, heisswim-
ming this way, and seems determined
to make us a CALL"
"Pull for the shore'' shouted the
Spaniard, dropped his rifle, and grasp.
ing paddle.
Charley quietly raised his rife, and the
next instant its sharp report everberated
over the lake, and startled more than a
thousand monkeys in an unearthly chat
tering. I watched fer the ball to strike,
and saw the monster raise his head with
sudden jerk and then lash the water in
to white foam with his tail. In ano-
ther instant he had disappeared beneath