, 1859-05-13
A Pet Alligator.

hunting that Internal alligatorl Hogs, sheen, and
even cows-whewl ] cannot afford to keep such
an epieure much longer, that's certain" lI 1
The person uttering these words, in very ex.
cited voice, was Mr.. Jacob Osborne, the proprietor
Of one Of those large plantations between Shreeye.
port and Nachitoches, on the Red River. One Of
his negroes had just reported the additional loss
Of nearly half Of several fine itters Of pigs, which
juvenile porkers, according to the Africans sus.
picions, had been seized by tough old alligator,
who had long been carrying on the work Of death
in the vicinity, and had already acquired the title
Of the King Of Old Red"
"Never mind, Tom," said Mr.. Osborne, after
listening to an exposition Of the internal character
the alligator had acquired among the negroes Of
the vicinity-"I will look after the backyard
myself" -f I4a " 4
Accordingly NJ. Osborne spent the best part
Of the next two days prowlihg about the river,
rifle in hand, in the vicinity Of the large yard in
which his pigs were confined Il was towards
the close Of the second day that he threw himself
under shady tree, not far from the edge Of the
river, and quietly determined to verify the suspi-
ciOn which had taken possession Of his mind if
there was any such possibility In the case
Mr. Osborne had not been long In his position
ere he behed his young child, alitte girl Of Eve
years, leaving the house and directing her steps
towards the yard in which the hogs were confined.
The eyes Of the father watched her with great
deal OF interest, for he saw that she took such
direction as to prevent her from being seen from
either the house or the shanties; advancing to-
wards the river in . path which would lead to
about the foot Of the bluff upon which he bad
taken his position. ,.., ~
The child had stick in her hand, and no sooner
was she In the vicinity Of the young porkers than
she selected one Of them from the rest, headed
him 0H and ensnss.anaad drsvina kix.,
river, toward which she occasionally glanced in
manner which seemed strangely observant for
one Of her years The pig made some efforts TO
escape his little driver and return to his compan-
ions but she managed to prevent him by striking
him on the snOut every time he made any devia-
ton from the direct line she had chosen for his
route.
"Here's singular affair." said Mr.. Osborne,
with an excitement he could scarcely control
The pig was soon driven 10 the edge Of the
winter, and hero came to hall, while his little
driver burst into laugh Of triumph.
snow" said she, "you little pig, you are 60
ing to be dinner for old King Alligator
To the surprise and CONSERVATION Of the OBJ
s.rver, alarge alligator was seen swimming rapidly
toward that part of the shore where The pig and
lis driver were standing. The girl saw the new
comer, and laughed more heartily than ever, the
while she snubbed the pig on the nose at every
movement indicative Of his desire to take his
departure. 4etifi, isf
The feelings Of the father at this juneture can
not be described. lie started from his conceal
mcnt, and was on the point Of rushing forward,
but reflection told him to wait Il was certain
he was now bchOl,lfig no new performance, but
one that had offen been repeated, and he could
only hope that his child would escape In this in
stance as in the others. With these emotions
passing in his mind, he says the alligator thrust
his nose out Of the water and seized the pig 50
suddenly and fatally that il had not time to utter
q single squeal
The alligator then rctrcated two or three yards
and, quietly lying on the surface Of the water,
proceeded TO devour the pig, while the little girl
sat down on the bank and regarded the proceed
ing, shouting and laughing, and splashing her
feet In the water with every manifestation o. Joy.
40, my Godl have mercy upon moi groined
the father, cndeavoring to command his feelings,
and he advanced toward the river--but slowly,
ieebly, for he was nearly Overpowered BY the
horror that was filling his soul
The child suddenly started up, with manner
expressive Of terror, and commenced retreating,
while the eyes Of the alligator became like two
balls Of FIRE, and lashed the water in every drec
ton, as Il 10 q perfect fury. The father. every
instant as he tottered forward, expected to SEQ
the little girl borne of by the monster, and knew
not what to think Of her evident alarm, for she
did not so much as look at the alligator. A mo-
ment more, and the mystery was explained: the
alligator was graphing with gar, q fish as large
as q shark, and q member Of that family which
Is found in numbers in the Red River
The gar had been on the point Of scizing the
child when the alligator thus appeared in her
defence. ,T
Seeing that her friend was engaged in her be-
4 kalf
to lose all her fear. Fierce and terrible was the
struggle, and loud was the splashing Of the wa
tiers, as the combatants swayed 10 and fro, and
rolled over and over in the liquid element which
| soon became redeemed with blood Fearing that
her iavorite was getting the worst Of the conflict
the child burst into tears Of grief and darted
close to the edge Of the water where she com
menccd beating the gar with her stick as often
as she could get . chance. An accidental blow
from the tail Of the alligator sent her flying into
the midst Of the combatants, at which sight Mr..
Osborne reelcd and tainted, despite al his efforts
to control his terribly excited feelings
As good fortune would have Il, one Of Nj. 0s-
bOrne's negroes came over the brow Of the bluff
at this moment Seeing bis master insensble, he
emitted all the noise Of which his vocal organs
were capable, and speedily attracted several other
negroes and the oversecr to the spot Dispatched
TO the river for water he beheld sight which
made hun appear considerably whittier than ct
any other known period Of his history. His
frantic cries and gestures soon called the others
to the scene, and all the observers seemed to be-
come as excited as himself
And well they might For there, close to the
shore, was seen the huge carcass Of a gar, with
\ its white belly turned upward. Beside Il was
lying the alligator, quietly eyeing the party col
lectcd on shore, while on the back Of the alligator
was seen the little girl clinging to its shoulders
laughing at the novelty Of her position, and de-
claring, - . e.k
"You shan't kin old King AIigatOri Hs'smy
friendl" . ~. ~,