Never having heard the sound of the alligator's voice before, I had no
idea that it could give forth such fearful roars. As our guide had
observed, there was no use in attempting to stop them; so they continued
their horrible concert, preventing us taking a wink of sleep, until
morning dawned, when we turned out, and gathered round our fire to enjoy
our breakfast, for which our wakeful night had given us an appetite. As
soon as our meal was over, we started; but we met with no particular
adventure.

It was time again to land for dinner, or rather forage for our dinner,
for we had no meat on board fit to eat.

Carlos and I accompanied Lejoillie, while the rest of our party remained
to catch fish, and make up the fire for cooking them.

We had shot several snipe and a fat turkey, when, as we were clambering
up a bank, being somewhat before my companions, I was not a little
surprised to see, within four paces of me, the huge head of a black
bear, peering over the tops of the palmetto to ascertain what was
approaching. I mechanically raised my rifle to fire, calling at the
same time to Lejoillie and Carlos to come to my assistance should I
miss. I never felt more nervous in my life, for although I believed
that I should wound the bear, yet I might the next moment find myself in
his embrace, with his jaws applied to my neck. Aiming at his chest, I
pulled the trigger, and then leaped back to avoid him should he spring
on me. He, however, had been more frightened than I was. When my shot
entered his body, he must have been on the point of turning to fly; but
the bullet had taken deadly effect, and he had not gone ten paces, when
over he rolled, and lay struggling on the ground. Lejoillie and Carlos
coming up, fired into his head and killed him. We at once set to work
to cut him up, and procured an ample supply of steaks for all our party.

Paddling on again, as usual, we continued our journey, until a
favourable camping-place presented itself. During the night, while I
was on watch, I heard a singular cry, ceaselessly repeated, which
resembled the words, "Down-ka-dou, down-ka-dou," accented in a guttural
tone. I waited until I was relieved by Carlos; then, instead of lying
down, rifle in hand I crept towards the point whence the sound
proceeded, when I saw a tall bird standing in the water, every now and
then darting forward, poking his long bill amid the reeds which grew
around. I should at once have shot it;