The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-04-10
M'GREGOR, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1857.

ming toward us, and were. not more ,ha
thirty yards distant.
by all the saints in calender, but W
are in for it," Allen said, throwing
charge of powder into his rifle and ram
ming down a ball with haste.
"What is the matter ?' inquired.
Don't ask questions, but fire At tn,
nearest one. Hit him in the eye if yo,
can"
did not wait for further instruction
but took deliberate aim, and had the satis
faction Of seeing the monster leap higi
out Of the water and then sink from
view.
Well DONE" Charlie cried. "Loat
again as soon as possible. We must fyh
our way to the shore. for every inch 0
ground will be disputed"
/ glanced toward the Don ~ l loaded
and saw that he was seated on the raft
his rife lying by his side, and his eyes
fixed upon the approaching allisators with
strong expression of fear upon his face
The rowers had also ceased their labor,
and were nearly as pallid AS their master
Charlie shouted out something, speaking
10 The natives in their own language, which
they understand much better than they
do Spanish. They at once obeyed his or,
der, grasping their oars with energy, and
dashing them into the water, they urged
the light raft along at rapid rate.
1t appeared as though each discharge
Of our rifles brought fresh alligators tc
the surface, for saw no less than dozen
with their heads out of the water, watch
ing our movements with great interest.
and gradually drawing nearer as if they
wished to revenge themselves for the in
jury inflicted upon their companions
Presently one much larger than the 9TH
ers darted toward the raft. and when with.
in few feet, suddenly disappeared from
view. ....
mind your footing !" shouted Charlie,
sinking upon his knees. "The brute will
try to capsize u.s."
/ had hardly time to follow his example
when the raft was struck violent blow
and shook as though every bamboo in i,
would break. cluns to the lashings for
support and vainly shouted to the natives
to do the same. They either did not un.
derstand Charles warning or were too
anxious to reach the shore to pay any at.
tention to it, for they still padded on,
when suddenly one of them lost his bal.
ance and With wild veil fell headlong
into the water.
In an instant every alligator disappear.
ed beneath the surface. and only few
:, :S,ubbles which slowly rose told of the
struggle that was going on beneath.
Now for the paddles, shouted Allen
spring TO his feet and grasping one, while
he motioned to me to take the other.
But the native !" gssped.
els dead before this time, and they are
qusrreling over his bones below. The,
have tasted blood, and if we do not reacl
the shore before he is eaten, there will b.
another victim. Pul! for your life, if yol
value il.
dashed the paddle into the water, ant
We urged the raft rapidly toward the land
ing, which was only about fifty feet dis
t2nt.
"Look,' cried Charlie, glancing ove1
his shoulder. "but don't spare you1
strength"
followed the direction ofhis eyes, ant
saw more than fifty black snouts raisce
above the surface of the lake, and after .
short survey disappeared.
The devil knows where they are,'
Allen exclaimed, without ceasins his toll
but | think We will disappoins them thi'
time
n VOW a gold candlestick to Sain
At this instant the raft struck the shore
and the Spaniard, without waiting to com
ple,e his vow, sprans to the land, and was
quickly followed by the natives and our
selves. We had barely secured foot
hold before half.a-dozen Shiny monster
rose beside the raft, aud even rested thei
heads upon it, to be certain it was vaca
ted. l was too thankful at our escape t,
modest them; but no, 30 with Allcn.--
| He took deliberate aim at the largest ant
/ fired.
In an instant we were covered with mut
and water, which the alligator in his deatl
struggle hurled upon us; and then all wa
calm, and the monsters dead body float
ed beside the raft. AS if by magic, ever,
black snout had disappeared, and the wa
ters Of the lake were unruffied.
"a brave shot, Signor Allen" criet
the Don, searching among the provision
for something to revive his courage
IA brave shot, and To prove You that
appreciate. it we will open bottle Of th
wine of Spain.
We did empty the bottle, and it was no
until near sundown that We left the Dor
ders of the lake and returned home. b
that time the Don tancied that he ha
killed the alligator and, as we did no
contradict him, he used to frequentl
boast of his skill as marksman.
The death Of the native was hardly a
luded to by the Spauiard, for they yalu
not the lives of Me.is in Manila.