114 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
pitch, when both competitors rose at different parts 
of the tank as if-the contest had been terminated by 
mutual consent. The smaller alligator had a fright- 
ful gash in its throat, and the fore-leg of the larger 
seemed to be extensively lacerated. They both 
tinged the water as they swam ; nevertheless, their 
wounds did not appear to cause either of them much 
suffering or inconvenience. They did not attempt 
further hostility. 
The carcass of a second sheep, in a tempting state 
of decomposition, — for these creatures prefer putrid 
carrion to any other, — was thrown into the tank, and 
the struggle for supremacy renewed. It however did 
not last so long as the former : each having obtained 
a share of the prey, which divided at the slightest 
touch, the contest soon subsided, and both rose once 
more to the surface without any further appearance 
of injury. Their bodies appeared less lank ; it was, 
therefore, evident that each had received a portion 
of the two carcases thrown between them, like the 
apple of discord in classic story. 
On the following day, the alligators, which had 
already contributed to the sport of a numerous as- 
semblage of unpitying spectators, were caught for 
the purpose of opposing them to foes of a different 
species from any they had been accustomed to en- 
counter. They were brought into a large enclosure, 
within which was a cage containing a fine leopard. 
The gash in the throat of the smaller alligator had, 
as was now sufficiently apparent, greatly weakened 
it. The animal appeared apathetic, and did not 
promise much diversion to the anxious beholders* 
