THE ALLIGATOR. 161 



The intervals between the pools are generally 

 from a quarter of a mile to one mile, rarely 

 more and often less. Every deep pool is as 

 sure to have an alligator for its tenant as a 

 fresh-spun web to contain a spider. And now, 

 I confess feeling it more dangerous to attack 

 the subject of alligators in print than I have 

 ever found it to be with the live animal, for 

 they are very easily destroyed, unless they are 

 very large, and in that case are seldom met 

 with, unless in the lakes and largest rivers. 



Few persons forget how Mr. Warterton was 

 handled by critics for the graphic account he 

 gave of his ride upon an alligator ; for my 

 part, I believe his description to be perfectly 

 correct, and my belief does not only rest upon 

 the high character given him by all who have 

 the pleasure of knowing the gentleman, but 

 also on the knowledge of the animal itself, 

 acquired by a long residence near its haunts. 

 The only possible danger Mr. Warterton could 

 have been in, was from a blow of the tail ; 

 but the beast was doubtless too much occupied 

 with the anchor in his mouth to use that 

 powerful limb. In the water, the alligator 

 almost always stuns any large animal swim- 

 ming, by a heavy blow of his tail, and then 

 seizing his prey, drags it down to the bottom; 



M 



