664 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



coat-tail, cause me to spend the next five minutes in feel- 

 ing around on ray hands and knees for a lost slipper ? 



The Doctor readily gave his consent to the use of Nep 

 as an Alligator- bait, with the request that I would not 

 bring him back. After the usual amount of compliments, 

 such as "good dog," "pretty Nep," "fine old fellow," 

 etc., had been addressed to his dogship, he kindly con- 

 sented to being alternately dragged, led, and carried to the 

 lake, where I tied him to a bush at the water's edge, and 

 retiring from his sight, hid in the bushes where I could 

 get a good view of the w^ater. 



Nep supposing that I had left him, set up a series of 

 dismal howls, interjected with short, sharp notes, that for 

 ear-splitting qualities could only be equaled by a prima 

 donna. Soon a few heads, discernible in the distance, 

 turned and began to move slowly toward the dog; some in 

 a business-like way, and others so slowly that they scarcely 

 seemed to move at all. After reaching the shore, they swam 

 back and forth, casting longing glances in the direction 

 of the dog, but apparently in no hurry to venture upon 

 shore for him. 



After this performance had been kept up for an hour, I 

 tied a heavy stone to Nep, anchored him in water up to his 

 neck, and retired to the shore with ready rifle, but anxious 

 to see as much of their method of attack as was consistent 

 with the safety of the dog. Nep sniffed the water sus- 

 piciously, and made frantic efforts to escape. Soon a dozen 

 heads reappeared and moved cautiously toward the poor 

 dog, who, with ears laid low, lips rigidly contracted, and 

 wild eyes, was alternately uttering defiant growls and 

 terrified yells, altogether presenting a fine study of enforced 

 defiance. 



One old ' Gator finally approached to within twenty feet 

 of the dog, stopped, and slowly began to sink, preparatory 

 to darting upon the now frantic Nej). As his attack was 

 to be under water, this was as far as I dared let him go; 

 and Just as his head was disappearing, I put a bullet 

 through it. 



