ALLIGATORS. 161 



the river, under some bank, where they 

 consider themselves safe from attack. But 

 these precautions are insufficient to preserve 

 them from the sagacious natives, w^ho soon 

 find out their retreat ; upon which a party 

 sets off in canoes about noon-day, which is 

 the time when the alligator reposes, selecting 

 an opportunity when the water is clear and 

 undisturbed. They drop quietly down the 

 river, until they arrive over the spot where 

 the alligator lies, when one of the boldest 

 and most experienced divers leaves the 

 canoe, with a lasso in his hand, dives to 

 the bottom, places himself by his side, and 

 tickles him under the throat, which causes 

 him to lift his head without opening his 

 eyes, at which moment the diver slips the 

 noose over his head, and instantly re- 

 ascends to the surface. No sooner does 

 he appear, than the noose is hauled taught, 

 and the end is handed on shore ; the whole 

 party land, and the moment the animal is 



VOL. I. M 



