The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-29
HORRIBLE FATE OF A MEXICAN
While Crossing Stream he is Drawn
Down by an Alligator.
From the 81. Louis Globe-Democrat.

Down by an Alligator.
From the ST. Louis Globe Democrat
"Yes, I've shot any amount of alligators.
The swamp Immediately In the rear of my
quarters at Belize abounded with them, and
l often popped off one in the early morning
from my veranda. They proved uninterest-
ing prey, however, always giving up the
ghost at the first discharge; but still can
tall you quite q tragic incident connected
with the brutes. which occurred under my
very eyes, You know that was stationed
at Orange Walk, British Honduras, for
several months. The name of the place
sounds pretty enough, but that's all there
is pretty about it, In fact, nothing but q
wretched Spanish Indian village so that
we had no outside associates and absolutely
no diversion, except hunting aud riding.
I'm connection with the latter pursuit, we
were in the habit of riding occasionally to a
village called San Esteyan. situated
some twenty miles distant on the New river,
but on the far side from Orange Walk, So
that we had to cross the river in order to get
there. This we did sometimes at Orange
Walk, sometimes at San Estevan, just as the
within seized us. There was no bridge or
regular ferry at either place, so that our
method of crossing was by means of a canoe,
while our horses swan behind. AS the canoe
would not hold more than two at time,
the ferryman and passenger, this crossing
was a work of time, more especially when
any of the horses elected to be fractions. On
the occasion of which | am about to speak
we had decided to ride down on our own
side of the river and cross over at San
Estevan as the rainy season was not long
over and the track in question was de-
cidedly the better of the two. After few
hours enjoyable riding through the forests
pleasant shade we arrived at the crossing
and shouted for the negro TO take US over.
He soon put in an appearance, and we
were all soon safely landed on the opposite
shore. the horses seemingly enjoying their
cool swim after the journey. We were
saddling our horses, preparatory to re-
mounting, when we saw native
sugar planter, or ranchero, come trotting
down to the opposite snore. He pre-
sented quite a contrast to us, in his pictur-
esuue aud splendid costume. 1t Is needless
to describe it. Every one Knows the velvet
garments trimmed with gold lace and but
tons, the beautiful embroidered linen, huge
silver spurs and broad sombrero OF the typi-
cal Mexican. He was mounted on spirited
little white horse, which contrasTed tavora-
blv with his black costume. The ferryman
was about to put off TO bring him over,
when. with a careless wave of his hand, he
mt his horse to the water, and the gallant
little beast started on his journey braVely
and resolutely. We all stood mechanically
watching him, none of us, believe, appre-
bending any mishap, when the horse
uttered shrill scream Of pain aud terror,
while he was perceptibly sinking lower apd
lower in the water. bis rider, with
blanched face and staring eyeballs, seemed
to be struggling to disengage himself from
his sinking steed, but he, too, suddenly gave
a fearful scream and slowly sank from
view. For a moment no one moved or
spoke. but all stood gazing spell-bound at
| the SPOT where so lately had been human
being full Of life and gayety whilst his SOM
brero floated slowly down the sullen stream.
| A moment later Coleman and had sprung
into the canoe, peering anxiously over the
nrow whilst he welded the paddle In frantic
| haste. neither of us. however, entertaining
any hopes Of doing any good. For few
! moments we paused in mid-stream, lntently
vat ,hlne the waters surface, till a success
sion of dark crimson rings rising to the sur
| face confirmed our worst fears, and LETT no
! Doubt as to the terrible fate OF the Mexican.
| Whether the sauriaus we're attracted oy o ur
crossing over, aud arrived IN time TO ma ke
a meal of the unfortunate rancnero' don
know. but we decided to recross at Or auge
| Walk and I swore that II my horse JACK
| cot over safely he should never enter that
sccursed stream again. H. never did"