The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-15

The crocodile had suddenly released his
hold upon the antelope and the creature
mo sooner felt itself free than IL wheeled
around and. on three legs-the fourth was
broken above the knee-j joint, or probably
bitten In two-made n gallant dash foT
the shore. But our first lieutenant was
quite prepared for such n movement, had
anticipated II. in fact, and the buck had
barely emerged from the water when he
was cleverly dropped by a bullet from
Mr. Austin's musket .
The boat was thereupon promptly
beached. the, bucks throat cut, and the
carcass slowed away I'm the tern-sheets.
which II pretty completely filled. We were
just about TO shove Off again when the
first lieutenant caught sight OF a banana
tree. with the fruit just in right cond-
ton for cutting; so we added TO our
Rpoils three huge punches OF bananas,
each as much as a man could convenient
ly carry.
The deepening shadows now warned VS.
that the sun was sinking low; go we
showed off and made the best OF our way
back 10 the river. When we reached IL
we found that there was small drain OF
the lood-tide still making. and, the land
breeze not yet having sprung up. Mr..
Austin determined to push yet little
higher up the river. The boats head was
accordingly pointed to the eastward and.
four miles further on, we hit upon anoth-
er opening into which we at once made
our way
We had no sooner entered this creek,
however than we found that. like the
first we had visited. It forked into two.
one branch OF which trended TO the south
west and the other in southeasterly di-
rectlon. We chose the latter, and soon
found ourselves pulling along a channel
very similar 10 the last one we had ex-
plored except that, in the present In
stance, ihe first OF n chain OF hills.
stretching away TO the eastward. lay at
no great distance ahead of US pull of
n couple OF miles brought us TO a bend in
the stream; and in few minutes after
wards we found ourselves sweeping along
close 10 the base OF the hills. in a chan
mel tbout a quarter OF mile wide and
with from three TO four and half faith
oms OF water under US. Twenty minutes
later the channel again divided one
branch continuing on In an easteriy d.
rection whilst the other-which varied
from a. half to three-quarters Of mile In
width--branched off abruptly 10 the north
ward and westward. Mr.. Austin chose
this channel suspecting that IL would
lead into the river again a suspicion
which another quarter of an hour proved
correct.
The sun was by this time within half
an hour OF setting and Shark pointer
rather the tops OF the mangroves growing
upon it-lay stretched along the horizon n
good eleven miles off so II was high time
10 see about returning. But the tide had
bv this time turned and was running out
pretty strongly in mid-channel; the land
breeze also had sprung up. and, though
where we were close inshore. we did not
feel very much OF II, was swaying the
tons OF the more lofty trees in a way
which am sure must have gladdened the
hearts OF the boats crew. so the oars
were laid i'm, the mast stepped. and the
lug hoisted, and In another ten minutes
we were bowling down stream-what with
the current and the breeze both OF which
xye rot in their full strength as soon rs
we had hauled little further out from
the bank-at the rate OF good honest
ten knots per hour.
THE sun went down I'm a bewildering
blaze OF purple and crimson and gold
when we were within Ave miles OF Shark
point: and. ten minutes afterwards. night
the glorious night OF tho troplcs-was
unon us I'm all it's lovellness The heavens
were destitute of cloud--save n low bank
down on the western horizon-and the
soft velvety blue-black OF the sky was lit
orally powdered with countless millions
OF glittering gems. 7 do not remember
that ever before or since saw so many
OF the smaller stars: and as for the larger
stars and the planets they shone down
upon ua with an effulgence which caused
them 10 be reflected In long shimmering
lines of golden light upon the turbid
water.
Presently the boats lug-sail. which
spread above and before up like a great
blot OF ghostly gray against the starlit
sky. began perceptibly 10 pale and bright
en-. until Il stood out clear and distinct.
bathed in richest primrose light. with the
shadow Of the mast drawn across it In
ebony-black Striking the top OF the sail
nrst. the light swept gradually down; and