The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-12
DEyOURED BY ALLIGATORS.
The Awful Fate Of a Mexican While
Crossing n River in Honduras.

The Awful Fate Of a Mexican While
Crossing n River in Honduras.
St Louis Globe-DemOcrat.
ayes, have shot any number of alliga-
tors. Tie swamps Immediately in the rear
of my quarters at Belize abounded with
them, and I often popped one off in the
early morning from my yeranda. They
proved uninteresting prey, however, always
giving up the ghost at the first discharge;
but still can tell you quite tragic Incl
dent connected with the brutes which Oc-
Cured under my very eyes. You know L
was stationed at Orange Walk, British Hon
duras. for several months. The name of the
place sounds pretty enough, but that's all
There is nothing pretty about it. 1t IS, IN
fact nothing but a wretChed Spanish Indian
village, so that we had no outside aSsocl-
ateS and no diversion except hunting and
riding.
" In connection with the latter pursuit,
we were in the habit of riding occasionally
to a village called San EStevan, situated
some twenty miles on the New River, but
on the far side from Orange Walk, so that
we had TO cross the river IN order 10 get
there This we did sometimes at Orange
Walk. sometimes at San EsIeyan, Just as
the Whim seized Us. There was 30 bridge
or regular ferry at either place, so that our
means Of crossing was by means ul canoe,
canoe WOuld not hold more than two AT
time. the feTryman and passenger this
crossing was a work Of time, more especially
when any Of the horses elected to be frac-
titus
''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 al san
Esyevan. as the rainy season was not long
over and the track In question was deed
edly 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 10 an appearance, ana we were
all soon safely landed on the opposite
shore. the horses seemingly enl ylng their
cool swim after the journey We were sad
ding our horses preparatory TO remountlng
when We s. - a native SugaT-planter, or
rancheT0, cone trOttlng down on the 0pD0-
site shore. He presented quite a contrast
10 Us in his picturesque and splendid cos
tune. 1t is needless 10 describe It. Every
one knows the velvet garments trimmed
with gold lace and buttons, spurs and broad
sOmbreTO Of the typical Mexican. lie was
mounted on spirited little White horse,
| which cOntTasted fayOraby with his black
costume. The ferryman was about to put
of TO bring him over, when. with careless
wave Of the hand, he put his horse to the
water, and the gallant little beast started
on his journey OravrlY and Tes9lutely.
1--WE all stood mechanically watching him,
none of Us, l believe, experimenting any
misbap, when the horse uttered a shrill
scream of pain and terror, while he was
/ perceptbIy sinking lower ami lower ia the
water. His rider with blanched face and
staring eyeballS, seemed to be struggling to
disengage himself from the 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
spelbOuad at the spot where so lately had
been a human being full Of life and gayety,
while his s0mbrerO i0ated slowly down the
sullen stream. A moment later Coleman
and ] lad sprung into the canoe, peerng
anXi0usiy over the PROV, while lie welded
the paddle in frantic haste neither Of Us,
however, entertaining any hopes Of doing
any good. For a few moments we paused
in mIdstream, intently watching the waters
surface, tll a succession of dark crimson
rings rising to the surface confirmed our
worst fears and left no doubts as to the
fate Of the Mexican"