Chap. III. 
ALLIGATORS. 
185 
bows and arrows that the animal scampered oflf and 
was heard of no more. Alligators were rather trouble- 
some in the dry season. During these months there 
was almost always one or two lying in wait near the 
bathing-place for anything that might turn up at the 
edge of the water ; dog, sheep, pig, child, or drunken 
Indian. When this visitor was about, every one took 
extra care whilst bathing. I used to imitate the natives 
in not advancing far from the bank and in keeping my 
eye fixed on that of the monster,- which stares with a 
disgusting leer along the surface of the water; the 
body being submerged to the level of the eyes, and the 
top of the head, with part of the dorsal crest, the only 
portions visible. When a little motion was perceived in 
the water behind the reptile's tail, bathers were obliged 
to beat a quick retreat. I was never threatened myself, 
but I often saw the crowds of women and children scared 
whilst bathing by the beast making a movement to- 
wards them ; a general scamper to the shore and peals 
of laughter were always the result in these cases. The 
men can always destroy these alligators when they like 
to take the trouble to set out with montarias and har- 
poons for the purpose, but they never do it unless one 
of the monsters, bolder than usual, puts some one's life 
in danger. This arouses them, and they then track 
the enemy with the greatest pertinacity ; when half 
killed they drag it ashore and despatch it amid loud 
execrations. Another, however, is sure to appear some 
days or weeks afterwards, and take the vacant place on 
the station. Besides alligators, the only animals to be 
feared are the poisonous serpents. These are certainly 
