164 ALLIGATORS. 



easily take half a dozen of them at a time. 

 1 caught one about six inches long, which 

 seemed very ferocious, and whose teeth, even 

 at this early age, were so sharp that it could 

 not be handled with safety. I kept it tied 

 in the canoe with a piece of twine for se- 

 veral days : finding it would not eat any 

 thing I offered it, I restored it to the ele- 

 ment whence I took it, not choosing to incur 

 the consciousness of cruelty, in case of its 

 being starved in my possession. 



They appear to live chiefly on fish ; but 

 also take a number of ducks and other wild 

 water-fowl, by suddenly rising under them, 

 and pulling them down by the legs. 



During the day, I saw a Dant in the 

 water, and fired at him with duck -shot, but 

 only startled him. He rushed out of the 

 river, and ran into the woods. He had the 

 appearance of a fat pony. 



