DOGS AND ALLIGATORS. 301 



of the doojs. Stories are told of alliofators beinof out- 

 witted by clever dogs, who would stand on the banks, 

 and, keeping up a continual barking till the reptiles 

 were all assembled in anticipation of the feast, would 

 then run away and cross in safety a few hundred 

 yards lower down. But this must be taken * cum grano 

 sails.' 



The alligator possesses a keen scent, and will, if it 

 has a chance, rob the hunter of his game. During my 

 sojourn with my friend Steadman, we had once gone 

 out in his boat to a stream known as Hall's Bayou, 

 where for some time we fished in its sluo^origh waters, 

 but growing tired of this tame sport, we fastened the 

 boat to the bank, and went out on the prairies to look 

 for deer. In a short time I had the good fortune to 

 drive a fawn out of a clump of thick bushes ; a charge 

 of buckshot stopped its progress, and I carried my 

 prize back to the boat, which was a tolerable-sized one, 

 half decked, and used by the hunter to carry fish and 

 game to market at G-alveston, as well as to convey to 

 his cabin whatever goods he required at home. 



Feeling rather warm and fatigued, I indulged in 

 a *big drink' of cold grog, and, after arranging the 

 sails so as to form a canopy over me (for the sun was 

 very powerful), fell fast asleep upon the deck. I know 

 not how long my slumbers lasted — not long I believe — 

 but I was suddenly roused by a sensation as though 

 something were pulling at my coat tails, which had 



