HIS MODE OF OPERATION. 83 



retreat of the alligator, and then the conjuror's work 

 begins. The alligator is addressed by all sorts of 

 dignified and pathetic names ; and it is asserted, that 

 he is as quiet as possible in their hands, and suffers 

 his hands and feet to be bound without a struggle. 

 Certain it is, that the one now referred to was 

 soon brought down the river, slung between two 

 large boats, and escorted by the greater part of the 

 male population of the town, with flags and banners 

 flying, and drums and gongs beating. No native 

 present spoke of the beast as the alligator, but always 

 as the rajah, addressing it in such terms as these : 

 " Will the rajah come ashore ?" " Will the rajah 

 please to be quiet?" 



On reaching the grand wharf a large rope was 

 bound round the body of the already powerless rajah, 

 and 200 or 300 people soon dragged him ashore ; 

 now all consideration with all fear of him ended, and 

 every one considered himself entitled to play- the part 

 of the ass in the fable, and they accordingly insulted 

 in every way the now powerless monster. A heavy 

 ' parang/ or chopping knife, was delivered to a man 

 whose child had been taken, and he soon revenged 

 himself by cutting off his victim's head. Till this time 

 the animal had shown nothing but passive endurance, 

 but, on feeling the knife, struggled furiously, but 

 being bound every way was dispatched by his many 

 executioners. 



This animal was seventeen feet in length ; but the 

 doctor said it was not a mischievous one, so he set 



G2 



