160 A SLEEPING ALLIGATOR. 



I saw during my walk a large quantity of guinea-fowl, 

 and plenty of old buffalo spoor, but none fresh. They 

 had evidently been there during the rains. Returning 

 by the shore I observed a dark object a long way 

 ahead on the white sand, and on examining it with 

 the glass found it was a huge alligator. He was lying 

 asleep, with his mouth wide open, within a few feet 

 of the water's edge. I tried to stalk him, but failed, 

 as, hearing the crack of a twig which I carelessly trod 

 upon, he plunged into the water with wonderful vi- 

 vacity and disappeared. 



