he
monster. Seeing this, the woman suddenly sprang to her feet, and
dragged violently upon the rope, and the next moment a wild scream
announced that she had succeeded in her intentions. The barbed blades
had taken hold, and the caiman was secured!

"Finding himself thus caught, the huge reptile dived to the bottom, then
rose again, bellowing loudly, and lashing the water into foam, the blood
all the while running from his jaws and nostrils. At intervals, he
would rush from point to point--until suddenly checked by the strong
raw-hide lasso--making the tree shake with his great strength; and this
he did for a long while. His struggles at length grew fainter, and more
feeble, and he lay motionless in the water. Throughout all this scene
the mother sat upon the bank of the river, at times in deep silence and
dejected, while at intervals her face would light up with a vengeful
expression as she cast her eyes upon the monster that had robbed her of
her child.

"At length the gallop of a horse roused her from her reverie. She
looked around. It was her husband!

"The melancholy tale was soon told; and shortly after was carried to
those that dwelt nearest them. The grief was general; and the sympathy
that followed caused a general rising throughout the neighbourhood; and
for several days afterwards a war of extermination was waged against the
caimans.

"This, brothers," said Lucien, "is a true narrative; and, in fact, it is
only a year or two since the painful incident occurred."

"And a painful incident it was," cried Basil, with some excitement.
"Thunder! it makes one hate those monsters so I feel like having a shot
at one this very moment; besides I want a tooth for a powder-charger;"
and as he said this, he took up his rifle, and stepped out to the
water's edge. None of the alligators appeared to be within range at the
moment, though dozens of them were seen moving about on the bayou.

"Hold, brother!" shouted Francois. "Have patience a little, and I'll
bring them near enough. Place yourself in ambush, while I call them."

Now one of Francois' accomplishments was an unusual talent for mimicry.
He could imitate everything, from the crowing of a cock to the bellowing
of a bull, and so naturally as to deceive even the animals themselves.
Running down towards the bank, he crouched behind some yucca-bushes, and
commenced whining and barking like a young puppy. Basil also concealed
himself among the bushes.