Year: 1873




fainly monster We had heard so much
shout; for it must be remembered that we
we're all novices at this sport, as will more
forci Jly appear hereafter. We all lent a
hand and hauled the old fellow on to the
deck Of the steamer. and as the ladies were
afraid he might possibly come to life again,
we anchored him to the smoke-stack. Al
though there was no doubt but that he had
given up the ghost, We, were little averse
TO handling him. and were content to look
bin over at distance. will not attempt
10 describe him; don't think | could.
shall refer my readers to his "picture" to be
found in all books on Birds, Beasts, and
Reptiles" l know however, that he was
four feet long, aud that his raised eye-sock
cts and generous mouth reminded me OF the
Irishman s Z" bird" the frog. rss.4
OF course the boat had been stopped dur
ing this transaction but now that we had
thoroughly examined and indelibly stamped
upon our memories the lineaments of our
friend, the aligator's face. we were ready
and rather eager to proceed, and endeavor
TO shoot one ourselves.


You may be sure we we're on the gui Uire
after this, each trying by close lookout to
get the first sight and shot at the next one
that should come in view We had not
long to wait The bell sounded to "stop
her." and the voice of the darkey pilot was
heard to say:


"Dar's gator" M


"Where? where?" came from all sides.


Fright ober dar in dem bonnets," exclaim-
ed Ben, the engineer, who had shut off
steam and was pointing out of the window
of his -cuddy to a bunch of pads on our
left


All eyes were turned in that direction;
they looked and looked, but not one of all
the party could see any thing that resem-
bled an alligator. | had been stretching my
neck vainly for some time, when just as Mr.
j. was remarking that he never knew his
eyes to go back on him so before. happen
ed to spy a little black object just above the
surface of the water and almost buried
in the pads. 81 see him." cried, and al
most simultaneously took a quick, steady
aim. and fired. A tremendous convulsion
of the water; loud cry of " You've fixed
him. and the big body hoated apparently
lifeless.


Would you like to hev Jake git him fur
ye, Mr.. M" said the Cap


Yes, by George, want him !" said
flushed with pride at what was really fine
shot, and rather unexpected


The usual routine was gone through with.
and the six-footer was hoisted to a place
beside his fellow. He was shot directly
back OF the shoulder, and the loqnacious
commander informed US that that and the
soft part of the head about the eye were the
only vulnerable parts. After had looked
him over, and INDUCED in little reverie of
the triumph OF taking home a real alligator,
that | had shot myself, walked forward
for another chance. The ladies down below
were as happy as happy could be, and were
continually conversing at the top of their
voices with us above. Under ordinary cir
cumstances this would have been very pleas
ant, but as we were hunting aligators. and
as that required comparative silence, we did
not encourage them. With the delightful
sensation created by the motion of the
boat through the water, the natural lowell
ness OF the place, and the pleasant ex-
cltement kept up by the crack of our rifles,
we thought them sufficiently entertained.


Many amusing incidents occurred on the
trip; among which was polite dispute
between the g Dr." and Mr. 3. as to which
had hit: both having fired at the same
time The controversy was going on while
Jake was bringing the victim from the
water.


We can tell positively by the size of
the hole," said the DIR. "if he has got nv
pill in him, he'll show it; if you killed him,
the hole will be a small one, as your Bal
lard don't carry ball bigger than buck
shot,"


The reptile was taken on board and ex-
amlned, rolled over and examined again, but
not trace of wound could be found.


"Ha !. ha ~ said Mr.. B., he died laughing
at our Shots" -,,-


We could not account for this singular
death, until that old hand at the business"
the Cap" came on deck, aud after close
scrutiny, turned the reptile on his back and
discovered to US triangular cut of about |
half an inch, directly under the lower Jaw.
The reason we " greenies had not seen it |
was that the flesh had closed up and staunch-
ed the blood. We left this one piled on |
top Of the rest, and were debating as to who |
was the author of his death. when Mr.. B.,
who had commenced to reload, was con- |
taken aback on finding that his
rife had not been discharged. The prize |
was consequently awarded to the "Dr."
This caused hearty laugh at the expense
of Mr.. B. 1t was interrupted by shrek
from the ladies', and looking around, we
saw that the subject Of the discussion had |
come to life, and was making for his native
element. We were just in time to secure |
him. We took hun home with US, and he
lived for week, great source of amuse-
ment and curiosity to the visitors at the
hotel. \


Frequently the putting of the engine would
startle a beautiful water-turkey from the
thick foliage along the shore-or a flock of |
buzzards from the carcass of some defunct |
alligator


At every marshy opening that intervened,
focks of wild duck would take fight with |
their harsh quark ,-quark! and light in the
meadows. over which numerous white crane
and curlew were scaling about while the |
clatter Of the rail and the piping of the
plover were heard in the tall reeds, which |
furnish canopy to the Shiny retreat Of the
alligators, whose slides appear at inter-
walls along the glistening banks.


Occasionally we came upon the deadly
water moccasion, coiied upon the shore
taking his afternoon nap; awakened by the
noise of the paddles, he would raise bis
wicked little head and show needle like
fangs, that caused shiver de freeze to
pass over the system. At times we would
frighten turtles from the dead logs that lay
along the stream. again we would see whole
families of young allgators, of all sizes
stretched along the trunks Of trees that had
been overthrown by the fierce gales that at