so WILD SP0ET3 IN THE SOUTH. 



And now that I am listening I hear them on every side 

 zee-zee-zeeing all around me, and every moment taking 

 a nip. Oh, I see how it is ! I forgot to light my pipe. 

 There are Poke and Mike in undisturbed dreams of 

 tobacco and glory, smiling famtly at my convulsive slaps. 

 Now my pipe is lighted — no more nips, blessed j)ipe. 

 Why are mosquitoes created ; and what do they feed on 

 when they can't get blood ? Please answer me an oft- 

 repeated thought, sage frequenters in Southern swamps. 



" Charlie, do you know what an alhgatoris?" drawled 

 out the Doctor, after he saw me fairly roused to the com- 

 fort of the pipe. 



" ISTo, do you ?" I replied. 



" Not precisely, but I came very near knowing to-day. 

 I was stooping to gather a strange flower on the bank of 

 the river, when the earth caved in with me, and let me 

 down with a fearful thump upon an old alligator that was 

 sunning himself beneath. He gave a snort, and plunged 

 into the river, and if he was half as frightened as I, he 

 will never come ashore again." 



" Pooh, man ! why didn't you take him by the legs 

 and lay him over on his back ?" 



" Oh, I hadn't the time ; he wouldn't wait." 



" Doctor Poke was up the bank before the alligator 

 could see him," said Mike, in a low quizzical voice. 



" Oh Poke ! for shame, to decline a fair fight!" said I. 



"Who wants to fight with such a huge dragon? 

 N"ot you, I warrant !" 



" Whar your pup alligators ?" said Mike to the Doctor. 



