626 MODE OF KILLING ALLIGATORS. 



for killing turtle — the head remaining in the body of the 

 animal, while the shaft, secured to it by a line, floats on the 

 surface ; which showing the direction taken by the saurian, it 

 is chased and transfixed by either lances or arrows till it dies 

 from exhaustion. On these occasions it is often attacked, it 

 is said, by the caribes, and partially devoured, before it can 

 be dragged on shore. 



The creatures are also caught by another device. A piece 

 of hard wood, pointed at both ends, is covered up with a 

 large fish or lump of meat, and then thrown into the water, 

 with a strong rope attached to the middle. The instant it is 

 seized, the hunters, who have hold of the other end, drag the 

 creature on shore, and despatch it with clubs or darts. 



A story is told of a Llanero, who, accustomed to desperate 

 encounters with savage bulls and fierce jaguars, determined 

 on one occasion, when compelled to cross the river, to brave 

 the risk of an attack from an alligator known to infest it. 

 Plunging into the stream, with his saddle on his shoulders to 

 pi-event its being wetted, and his sharp dagger in his teeth, he 

 swam on his horse's back. As those who saw him expected, 

 the crocodile soon appeared. Boldly facing the creature, he 

 approached its jaws, and, throwing his saddle at it, the alli- 

 gator jumped partly out of the water to catch it. At that 

 instant the daring Llanero plunged his dagger up to the very 

 hilt into the arm-pit — the most vital part of the monster — ■ 

 when, with a tremendous splash, it instantly sank beneath the 

 waves. 



The tenacity of life exhibited by these monsters is often 

 marvellous. Sir Robert Schombergh gives an account of 

 shooting one when ascending the River Berbice. The snout 

 was taken off by one ball, and another entered the hinder part 



