The National tribune., 1901-08-22

oil Uncle Ephraim, and the negro's strong
arms dragged to the surface lively young
alligator, who showed such resentment at
being disturbed that Uncle Ephraim took
refuge on high cyprus knee.
Pete, forgetful of Patsy's instructions,
regarded the savagely -swishing tail as the
point of assault, and began frantic but
futile attempts to bayonet it. Sandy, af-
ter one successful thrust, got his range,
and succeeded in landing his point in the
vital spot, and the alligator gave up the
ghost.
"Jee-whiz, he's q dandy youngster,"
said Patsy, regarding the result with sat
| iSfaction.
yes, we've got him." said Sandy, wip-
ing off his bayonet with some leaves.
But what's he good for?"
Good for" echoed Patsy. "Dere's
more meat on him dan razor,
back hog, an it's a heap better chawin'
an film. Take yer white, dere, Uncle,
an rip open his bread-basket, an take off
his hide
Uncle Ephraim descended slowly from
his perch of safety, cautiously approached
the alligator, made sure that he was
really dead. by giving the carcass a kick,
and then turned it on its back.
Skin him jest like you're would calf, "
directed Patsy.
This Uncle Ephraim understood. He
made a long slit down the breast and
belly, others for each Of the legs, and the
skin came off as readily as would cows.
He do look like a. pig remarked
Uncle Ephraim, surveying the carcass,
after the repulsive head, skin, paws and
tail had been removed.
Jest as good pork as you've ever ct,
said Patsy. Heap better'n. desc alligator
hogs de-. runs in de woods. Dere hain't
so much diffrunce betwixt one dat paddles
in de swamps an''de one dat gallops over
do Rnfh live on fish M
SIGH truck. / likes de swamp Teller bet
ter. He's fatter an tenderer"
''My, how he smells of muskl" ejacu-
lated Pete.
'Dey all does, an so does de razor-back
hog. But you've don't have to eat de
smell Dat goes off in de air"
If Uncle Ephraim had any scruples
they quickly vanished at the sight of the
tempting fresh meat, and he soon carved
the carcass into very presentable Shout
ders, hams, spare-ribs, etc.
Oars suttinly a monty nice-looking lot
OBJ fresh meat for de ole woman" he re-
marked, contemplating the result, as it
lay spread out on the clean, shining mag
nolia leaves. Dat suttinly orter satisfy
her, an stop her tongue. Les tote hit
right up t her. Don't say muffin, bout
whar we done got hit. 'Nervy's de best
ole woman in de worP, but she's got some
'culiar notions, an 70, nebber know jes'
Aunt Minerva AIMS dark brow cleared
up, as she saw them stringing along to-
ward her, headed by Uncle Ephraim, and
each bearing in his hand pieces of meat
lying on the dark green leaves.
Done tole yo' dar was plenty OBJ meat
in de country" she remarked, "if you'd
only stir yourself an look fer hit What
yo' got dar?'
"Confedrit fresh pork" remarked Uncle
Ephraim, laying his share down.
'Laws-a-massy, what nice meatv she
exclaimed delighted. But what queer
smell hit has"
IAN de hogs round hyah smells data
way-smells OBJ musk-sumfin' dat dey
eats" answered Uncle Ephraim. "Recol-
leck how our hogs useter smell OBJ hick
ory-nuts an punkins in de FallY
Probably these We bin Twin on musk
melons," suggested Pete.
Il must hurry up an cook some OBJ dis
fer de Cunnel, afore l eat any myself,
though rs awful hongry fer meat" said
Aunt Minerva Ann, enthusiastically.
pore man, he's jes' starvin'."
Uncle Ephraim went over to the head
quarters stables, to see how his substitute
had been taking care of the Colonel's
horses taking Patsy with him, and was
soon absorbed in rating his underling for
his shortcomings, and in repairing them.
Patsy lay down on some rice straw, and
was soon sleeping the sleep of youth and
fatigue.
Now, what dcvilment have you young
sters beer up to-" remarked Shorty, as
Pete and Sandy came slipping back and
quietly replaced their guns in the stack. |
"lou look SO mild and quiet that I'm