Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-03-27

year"
"Did you ever kill one at single
. shot?' asked Allen, initiating the
Don's example, and stretching him
self at the bottom Of the boat.
s.No, think not replied the
Spaniard, after moments heslta'
ton; shut am ia hopes to DO Sc
before we return"
"Humph!'' grunted Charley, rails.
ing a bottle of red-colored liquid to
his mouth, which had been wrapped
in wet flannels to keep cool.
"Pull, rascalsl" suddenly shouted
the Spaniard, looking towards the
oarsmen: "Pall, rascals, and you
shall dine off an alligator, if | kill
one."
Singular as it may appear, the
promise did not inspire the men
With that enthusiasm which one might
have expected under such tempta-
alton. They made grimace, ex-
pressive of digust-but bent to their
oars with cheerfulness; and in lew
minutes we shut out the battle-ground
by turning an elbow of the river.
We passed numerous small villages
the houses of which were built OF
bamboo, matched 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 rumbles, and
unless the earth opens, the DWELL
| ings of the natives are more secure
than those of their masters. Fire.
quently, during a light shock, have
seen these huts sway to and fro, like
trees in strong gale, while the oc-
cupants preferred remaining indoors
to trusting themselves out, well
knowing that if their habltations
should fall they would be in no dan
ger of injury, as the materials were
too light to break the back OF a re-
spectacle sized flea.
1t was near eleven o'clock before
Don Arturo gave orders to the ma
tives 70 pull for the land. We stop
ped under the shade of large cocoa
trees, unloaded the boats, and then,
bidding three of the men follow, to
carry our ammunition, started for the
lake; about dozen rods Distant
The sheet of water was not very
large, covering an extent OF about
fifty acres; but l think it was The
most beautiful spot ever saw.
The foliage of the trees was rank
with the richness of the soil; while
all along the borders OF the lake,
bright colored flowers and dense
creeping vines were spread from
branch to branch, until s7en the sun
could not penetrate with a-single ray:
Hundreds Of birds, with plumage of
tho most gaudy description, were
futtering from tree to tree, too tame
to be frightened at our approach;
while monkeys, with impudent ges-
lures. and bold. defiant chatterng,
gathered 10 groups, and wondered
why we should thus invade their do
mains.
Upon arriving at the lake, We
found large raft, built oil bamboo
which had been left by some sports
men, 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, "hiie
we proceeded to load our rifles. AS
soon as they returned. we showed
off. and worked our way slowly along
the shore.
GAS / am the most experienced
alligator hunter" Don Arturo said'
81 Shall claim the privilege OF the
first shot; and il"
"There is chance, them Charlie
said, interrupting the SpGniard, and
, pointing to what | supposed to be a
large log upon the surface Of the wa
ter.
.sBy Saint Antonio, but you are
, right" the Don said, dropping upon
his knees for the purpose of steady
, ing his aim; and trembling With ner'
yous impatience.
) "Weli," cried Charley, after a mo
ment's pause, 'sare you not going 6
; tirsl'