ENCOUNTER AN ALLIGATOR. 53 



that time of tide scarcely a boat channel, although 

 the river was a mile wide at high water. A great 

 part of the day was occupied in collecting material 

 for the chart of this part, and we passed the night 

 near the foot of Curiosity Peak. On the grassy 

 flat opposite, I killed five white ibises at a shot. 



At sunset, I noticed large flocks of a rather small 

 brown pigeon, constantly flying from Whirlwind 

 Plains to the north-west, and back again in the 

 morning. The musquitoes did not give us any 

 peace again this night. 



November 3. — Starting early, we had just passed 

 all the shoals in the neighbourhood of Curiosity 

 Peak, and entered a narrow part of the river, when 

 the leadsman in the bows of the boat reported, *' A 

 large alligator coming down the stream, sir." 

 Elated by the expectation of sport, we instantly 

 grounded the boat on the right bank to keep her 

 steady, and waited anxiously for the monster's 

 approach. It will readily be believed, that every 

 eye was fixed upon him as he slowly advanced, 

 scarcely disturbing the glassy surface of the water, 

 and quite unconscious of the fate that impended 

 over him. At length he came abreast, and about 

 eighty yards ofi^, only the flat crown of his head, and 

 the partly serrated ridge along his back, appearing 

 in sight. It was a moment of deep excitement for 

 us all, and every one held his breath in suspense as 

 I pointed my gun at the brute's head. 1 felt con- 

 fident of hitting my mark ; but judging from the 



