SHUFFLE, THE BABY 



A QUEEE name for a baby. 



But this baby was an infant alligator. One of the "Pike-nose 

 family," and a native of Florida. 



Mamma alligators build their nests among tall reeds by the banks 

 of rivers, or shallow ponds. The nests look like small tents, about 

 four feet high. First, mamma alligator makes a circle on the 

 ground about as large round as a wagon-wheel. 



A mud floor is smoothed over this circle. As soon as it is hard 

 she packs on it as many eggs as she can crowd together. They are 

 larger than a hen's egg, and have very hard shells. Then comes a 

 second mud floor, a little smaller than the first, and more eggs; and 

 so on, until the peak of her house is reached, and there is no more 

 room. 



Sometimes a hundred eggs are in one house. Mamma alligator 

 keeps careful watch over them. She fights if enemies come near. 

 Baby alligators follow the mother in water just as ducks swim out 

 after their mothers. 



When baby alligators lie on the shore in the sunshine they whine 

 and yelp like little dogs. At first they are not very strong. If 

 large birds peck at them, or ugly turtles poke them, they cry out 

 for the mother. 



One day a mamma alligator went off fishing, and a black boy 

 caught one of her babies. It was about six inches long. He sold 

 the little creature to a lady. Master Pike-nose slipped about the 

 house easily, but was awkward running on the ground. So, in fun, 

 he was called Shuffle. He had a small bath-tub for his home. 

 There he was happy, and every one petted him. 



On day Shuffle was missing. Oh, what hunting there was ! AH 

 the boardei's looked through closets, and under beds and sofas. 



]S"othing was heard of Shuffle all night. 



Little Daisy Fenn, waking early, peeped through the bars of her 

 crib. 



" O mamma! — see, the paper is moving! " she cried. 



"In the fireplace," added Jack. "See, see! " 



