The morning call., 1892-09-25

said Andrews, pansing a moment on the
veranda aud turning to address me. at
runs inland good way from the main river.
On the other side Of it is a big bed of soft
mud covering dozen acres or SO. It's
great camping ground for the 'crocs' at low
tide. They get under the tree roots and
mediate deviltry. The foliage overhead is
thin aud the sun comes through and warns
them up.
Out on the river banks they are worried
by the fellows on passing vessels who pep
per them regularly with rifles and reVolvers
and the place l speak of is quite fashion
able now as an alligator resort. Come
along and look for yourself. You see, we
walk along the tops of the mangrove roots
with bare feet, as quiet as mice,
and keep sharp lookout for
the sleeping brutes. When you spot
one, crawl quietly over him and then
well, get your balance, raise your spear,
and strike home for liver. lost and living!
Hit him behind the shoulder where the skin
is most tender. Jab it in hard aud strong.
He must diei
Il suppose you know the faintest scratch
that draws blood on IN alligator means sure
death? lie rushes for the water, and then
Rll the shTlmps ana devils that do these
things 90 for the place and eat hole into
him. That always settles him. He sicke1s
and dies within three or four days. They
always crawl on TO the mud ana die in the
open. Ii YOU want his skin, just go and
hunt about where You have wounded him a
week afterward. He's easily found-merely
use your noseP'
BY this time we bad come within full
view OF the creek toward which we had
Oeen travelling as Andrews discussed.
On the other side was a forest of grand
old mangroye trees. straddIing their multi
tudlDous leg roots over huge and greasy
swamp now barred By the fallen tide. These
roots afforded fairly secure skeleton plat
form some four or FIVE feet above the mud
level
Across the creek, resting on opposite
roots, was felled mangroVe tree which
made very practicable native bridge We
crossed it with the ease Of old jungle wal
labs"
Now we separate" said Jack. mot a
word Is to be spoken. of course. Each man
must creep as quietly as a cat IN opposite
directions. Don't yell with triumph when
you get your 'cr0c'-you may brighten away
mine. Ony yell il you slip and fail, but
don't slip, old chap!" added Jack, gazing
earnestly at me.
l curled my toes defantly. My feet were
nearly as useful as my hands after six years
in the jungles. SO we nodded and parted in
opposite directions.
1t was not all easy walking. Here and
there one stepped easily from tree to tree.
In other places one had to jump and balance
carefully. A fall into the soft thick mud
NDNAN hasC OrCu tdhlDS ushHu-lO-UEe
chance. STUFF that human being would
clog in Ike fly in treacle was quick and
easy running ground for the crocodile. In
the queer cross lights and notified shadows
OF that sOmber forest it was hard to tell log
from crocodile until one had gazed steadily
at an object and let the outlines grow into
the bewlldered retina.
Alter few minutes stealthy travel my
eyes grew more accustomed to the half
green light beneath the nangroye foliage.
Presently l found myself ewing rough
aud muddied log some twenty feet away
Gradually and slowly. under persistent star
Ing, the outlines of hideOus fourteen
footer revealed themselves. and then, with
a neart literally humping with suppressed
excitement, | cTouched and crept cat-like
step by stealthy step. toward the brute In
side OF i've minutes, which seemed like five
hours, stood over my prey.
With beating heart and tinging pulses |
held my spear poised over him, waiting
waiting aiting-for tile supreme moment
OF savage impulse which should make me
drive home the spear-blade into the soft
lolds OF shrlveled skin behind the power
ful extended forearm.
Hideously calm and unconscious he lay
completely at my mercy-fourteen feet of
useless, brutal reptilehOod! At my mercy!
L thought OF the weak women and chill
dren, the poor defenseiess old men, the
strong young fathers OF families-all
death at the peaceful waters edge. Then
thought OF poor. amiable, drunken OLD
n arayanan-an old fayOrite of mine-and
with all my might and main / struck as
best knew
There was a sudden clip of steely Jaws,
and whrl OF mud and slime around me.
The spear was wrenched out of my grasp
and was flung forward.
Unconsciously l grasped at something
and In another moment had swung myself
high and dry on 70 the roots of the oppo-
site tree. Looking hurriedly around | saw
the wounded brute slipping fast away
toward the little creek Now and then he
turned to snap at the spear-shaft sticking in
his side. The rapid, invisible clip of his
powerful jaws could only be told by the
sound. They moved too quickly for the
eye to follow, and explained why none
ever stepped back in time TO avoid an alli-
gator bite.
bad let go all my liver and spleen N that
savage thrust, and retraced my steps 10 ward
the creek In contented frame II mind.
On the way i spied my spear upon the
mud. 1t had caught between two roots an ID
so got drawn f om the alligator's body
Crossing the creek, | sat and waited for
Jack-whie l smoked the pipe of peace an
contented myself with prospect of returD
in weeks time to hunt my quarry.
fell To wondering if | had not perhaps
been little cruel. 1t was not altogether