The Forrest City times., 1892-02-05
oAuoHr BY AN ALLIGATOR.
The Awfoi Fate that Overlook . Mexican
 while Crossing . River.


 The Awful Fate that Overlook Mexican
 While Crossing River.
 ..Yes I've shot any number of alli- gators The swamp immediately in the rear of my quarters at Belize abounded with them. and I often popped off ono in the early morning from my veranda They proved un- interesting prey. however. always giv- ing up the ghost at the first discharge; but still can tell you quite tragic incident connected with tho brutes which occurred under my very eyes You know that l was stationed at Orange Walk British Honduras for several months The name of tho place sounds pretty enough. but that's all there is pretty about it. It Is in fact nothing but wrctchcd Spanish Indian village" says writer in tho Globe Democrat 50 that we had no outside associates and no diversion ex- cept hunting and riding.
 ..In connection with the latter pur- suit we were in tho habit of riding occasionally to village called San Estevan. situated some twenty miles distant on the New River but on tho 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 Este- van, just as the whim seized us. There was no bridge or regular ferry at either place so that our method of crossing was by means of canoe. while our horses swan behind. As the canoe would not hold moro than two at a time the ferryman and passenger. this crossing was worK of time more especially when any of the horses elected to be fractious
 On the occasion of which l am about to speak we had decided to ride down on our own side of the river and cross over at San Estevan. as tho rainy season was not long over and t.ia track in question was decidedly the better of the two After . few hours' en' oyable 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 all soon safely landed on the opposite shore. the horses seemingly enjoying their cold swim after the journey. We were saddling our horses preparatory to remounting. when we saw a native sugar planter. or ranchero come trot- ting down to the opposite shore. He presented quite contrast to us in his picturesque and splendid costume. It is needless to describe it Every one knows tho velvet garments trimmed with gold lace and buttons the beau tiful embroidered linen, huge silver spurs. and broad sombrero of tho typ ical Mexican. He was mounted on a spirited little white horse which con- trasted favorably with his black cos tune. The ferryman was about to put of to bring him over. when with a careless wave of his hand. he put his horse to the water, and the gallant little beast started on his journey bravely and resoIutely.
 We all stood mechanically wa!ch- ing hrm. mono of us. l believe. appre- hending any mishap when tho horse uttered a shrill scream of pain and terror. while he was perceptibly sink ing 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 q fearful scream and slowly sank from view. For 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. while his sombrero noated slowly down the sullen stream. A moment later Coleman and had sprung into the canoe I peering anx : iously over the prov while he welded the paddle in frantic haste neither of us however entertained any hopes of doing any good. For few moments we paused in midstream. intently watching the waters surface till succession of dark crimson rings rising to the surface confirmed our worst fears and left no doubt as to the ter rible fate of the Mexican.
 sWhether the saurians were at- tracted by our crossing over and ar- rived in time to make meal of the unfortunate ranchero I don't know. but we decided to recross at Orange Walk. and I swore that if my horse Jack got over safely he should never | "A T..