270 sroRT m north aimerica. 



On seeing the creature I uttered a cry of surprise, 

 and in answer to a question which my exclamation 

 drew forth, I said, " That^s a crocodile/' 



" Not so," replied my interlocutor. " It's an alli- 

 gator. They're common enough here in every corner 

 of the river .'* 



My companion then proceeded to explain to me 

 that in former times the Red River and the Arkansas 

 were peopled with myriads of alligators. Two causes 

 had however conspired to render them less nume- 

 rous than ]before : the steamers have frightened them 

 away and also the birds and fishes on which they 

 fed. Moreover, there was a prevalent fashion some 

 years ago only to use saddles and boots made of 

 alligators' hide. Of late years people have got to 

 understand that alligators' leather is far less water- 

 proof than that of oxen and horses, and the demand 

 for it has consequently lessened. 



" You seem to know all about alligators, my 

 friend," said I, " and I'll be bound for it you have 

 made them an object of special study." 



" Well, you're not far wrong there. I've spent a 

 goodish time in studying the tarnal critters, and I 

 know pretty well all their ways." 



He then proceeded to inform me that the alli- 

 gators' nests were usually constructed on the banks 

 of streams, and were surrounded with reeds and the 

 roots of trees. The female lays in this muddy hole 

 fifty to sixty eggs, as big as turkey's eggs, which she 



