Year: 1863

| in a few feet from the bank, he sweIlsd out
his back in such a manner as gave It the ap-
pearance of a small island or promontory. The
stupid goats, perceiving this, varied their gam
bols by jumping from their secure places on
shore upon the seeming island. which they,
however, never reached, for the crocodile,
tossing up his head at the righ. instant re-
ceiyed them into his open jaws, and swallow
ed them without difficulty.


"NO person can venture near the water
without danger from their attacks, being so
treacherOus that they approach their intend
ed victim near enough to strike him with their
powerful tails before he is even aware Of their
proximity. The bubbling sound OF a gourd
being filed in the water By some imprudent
person specially attracts them. To obviats
this danger, a calabash bowl, with q long
wooden handle, is usually employed for the
purpose yet even this Is not unfrequently
snatched from the hands of the water-carrier.


ri by accident human being falls prey.
to this tyrant Of the river, the reptile IS then
called es5ado, which appeIlation implies every
thing that is bold ferociOus and treaeberous
in an animal Of the species, as from that time
they not only wayIay persons, but follow them
in the canoes, in hopes Of again securing this
dainty morsel There are, however, men bold
enough to meet the enemy face to face in his
own element. The man who makes up his
mind to this encounter is well aware that this
must be a conflict to the death for one Of the
antagonists.


" The ferrymsn related to us a feat OF gall
lantry worthy Of a better cause, performed
here by LlanerO with one of these monsters.
The man was on his way to San Jaime, on a
pressing errand. Being in haste to get there
the same day, he would not wait for the ca
noe to be brought to him, but prepared to
swim across, assisted by his horse. He had
already secured his saddle and clothes upon
his head, as is usual on similar occasions, when
the ferryuan cried out to him to beware Of a
oainaan es5adO, then lurking near the pass ur-
ging upon him, at the same time, to wait for
the e5lioe. scorning this advice, the Llsnero
replied, with characteristic pride, sLet him
come; Twas never yet afraid Of man or beast
Then laying aside a part Of his pODderOus
equipment he placed his twO-edged dagger
between his teeth and plunged fearlessly into
the river.


" He had not proceeded far when the mon
ster rose, and made quickly toward him. The
ferryTsn crossed himself dsvoutly, and NUT
tered the holy invocation Of Jesus lana u
Jose fearing for the life, and, above an, for
the toll Of the imprudent traveller. In the
meantime, the swimmer continued gliding
through the water toward the approaching
crocodile. Aware OF the impossibility ofstri-
king his adversary a mortal blow unless he
could reach the Armpit, he awaited the mo-
ment until the reptile should attack him. to
throw his saddle at him. This he ACCOMPLISH
ed so successfully, that the crocodile doubt
less imagining it to be some sort of good eat
ing, jumped partly out of the water to catch
it. Instantly the LIanero plunged his dagger
up to the very hilt into the fatal spot. A
coarse grunt and a tremendous splash showed
that the blow was mortal, for the ferOoious
monster sunk beneath the waves to rise no
more.


proud Of this acHievment, and seornfng
the tardy assistance of the ferryman, who Of
fered to pick him up N his canoe, he waved
his bloody dagger in the air, exelaiming, as
he did so, "Is there no other about here p
and then turning he swan leisuEely back to
take his horse acEoss The eEnosra who re-
lated this adventure, then added: So de-
lighted was I on that occasion that killed
my latest hen to treat the nan to q good san
oOehO for the eaiman had dsvOured all my
goats.