The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-06
DRAWN DOWN BY AN ALLIGATOR.
The AwfaI Fate That Overlook Mexi-
can While He Was Crossing a River.

The AwfaI Fate That Overlook Med-
can While He Was Crossing a River.
Yes, I've shot any number Of alligators.
The swamp Immediately in the rear OF my
quarters at Belize abounded with them,
and / often popped of one In the early
morning from my veranda. They proved
uninteresting prey. however, always CIV
ing up the ghost at the first discharge, but
still i can tell you quite tragic incident
connected with the brutes which occurred
under my very eyes.
You know that was stationed AZ Orange
Walk, British Honduras, for several
months. The name of the place sounds
pretty enough, bat that's all there is pretty
about it. II is, IN fact, nothing but q
wretched Spanish Indian village, so that
we had no outside associates and no diver
sion except hunting and riding.
In connection with the latter pursuit we
were in the habit of riding occasionally to
village called San Essevan, 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 u.s. 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 a time, the ferryman and passenger,
this crossing was a work of time, more es-
pecially 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 decid-
eddy the better of the two. After few
hours enjoyable riding through the for
est's pleasant shade we arrived at the cross
ing and shouted for the negro to take us
over. He soon put in an appearance, and
we were all soon safely landed on the OPP
posite shore, the horses seemingly enjoy
ing their cool swim after the journey.
We were saddling our horses prepare
tory to remounting when we saw native
sugar planter, or ranchero, come trotting
down to the opposite shore. He presented
quite a contrast to US in his picturesque
and 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,
the typical Mexican. He was mounted on
a spirited little white horse which con-
trasted favorably with his black costume.
The ferryman was about to put off to
bring him over, when with careless wave
of his hand he put his horse to the water,
and the gallant little beast started on his
journey bravely and resolutely.
We all stood mechanically watching
Of T hal
any mishap, when the horse uttered a
shrill scream Of pain and terror, while he
was perceptibly sinking lower and lower
in the water. His rider, with blanched
face and staring eyeballs, seemed TO be
struggling to disengage himself from his
sinking steed, but he, too, suddenly gave
fearful scream and slowly sank from view.
For moment no one moved or spoke, but
all stood gazing spellbound at the spot
where so lately had been human being
full of life and gayety, while his sombrerc
fioated slowly down the sullen stream.
A moment later Coleman and 1 had
sprung into the canoe, peering anxiously
over the prov while he welded the paddle
in frantic haste, neither of US, however,
entertaining any hopes of doing any good.
For a few moments we paused in mid
stream, intently watching the waters sur
face, till succession of dark crimson rings
rising to the surface confirmed our worst
fears, and left no doubt as to the terrible
fate of the Mexican.
Whether the saurians were attracted by
our crossing over and arrived in time tc
make meal of the unfortunate ranchero
/ don't know, but we decided to recross at
Orange Walk, and swore that if my horse
Jack got over safely he should never enter
that accursed stream again. He never did.
Interview in St. Louis Globe Democrat.