AN ALLIGATOR. 



37 



disadvantage. My only chance of escaping the 

 monster was to hasten back to the boat, and to 

 cross the last creek before the alligator, who ap- 

 peared fully aware of my intentions. It was now, 

 therefore, a mere matter of speed between us, and the 

 race began. I started off with the utmost rapidity, 

 the alligator keeping pace with me in the water. 

 After a sharp and anxious race, I reached the last 

 creek, which was now much swollen ; while the 

 difficulty of crossing was aggravated by my desire 

 to save my gun. Plunging in I reached the opposite 

 shore just in time to see the huge jaws of the alli- 

 gator extended close above the spot where I had 

 quitted the water. My deliverance was providential, 

 and I could not refrain from shuddering as I sat 

 gaining breath upon the bank after my escape, and 

 watching the disappointed alligator lurking about 

 as if still in hopes of making his supper upon me. 

 Waiting till the monster came close, I took a de- 

 liberate aim at his eye, which had only the effect 

 of frifjhtenino^ him a little. 



The wind, which was light, blew from the N. E. 

 from sunset last evening until noon, being the first 

 land wind we had yet experienced. The tempera- 

 ture remained nearly the same as at Port Patterson, 

 the maximum being here 86, and the minimum 81. 

 October 13. — We got on board about noon, 

 and the next day Mr. Fitzmaurice returned. 

 He had found Table Hill to be a perfect natural 

 fortress, accessible only at the S. E. corner by a 



