300 THE ALLIGATOE. 



the tail, as if galvanised, to defend the wounded 

 shoulder, making a terrific sweep. A stout sapling, 

 which stood in the way, was instantly snapped off, and 

 so would have been the legs of the thoughtless hunter, 

 had he not fortunately stood upon the opposite side to 

 that where the blow had been struck. 



On paying a visit to Steadman, the hunter above- 

 mentioned, who, by-the-bye, was my first tutor in prairie- 

 shooting, we were both aroused from our siesta one hot 

 day by the terrific cries of a pig. Of course we started 

 up to see what was the matter, and upon reaching the 

 door of his cabin discovered that the noise proceeded 

 from an old sow, which was coming from the reeds of 

 a pond at no great distance from the house. When the 

 animal drew near, we saw that a large triangular piece 

 of skin, reaching from her ribs to half-way up the hip, 

 had been cut from the flesh as clean as thouo-h a knife 

 had performed the operation, and was dangling about 

 with every motion of the animal. Steadman quickly 

 informed me that it had been done by a blow from 

 the tail of an alligator, and, furthermore, that these 

 reptiles are very partial to pork. 



If hog's flesh is not to be obtained, dog's flesh will do 

 as well, or better. In the chase of bear or deer the 

 hounds very frequently take to water after the game, 

 and should any alligators be at hand, the pack will 

 suffer severely, for the reptile is knowing enough to 

 keep a good look-out as soon as it hears the baying 



