s, when Basil and
Lucien were startled by the report of a gun, and then another following
quickly after. They knew it was Francois' fowling-piece; but what had
he fired at? It could not have been the flamingoes, as he had not had
time to get within range of them. Besides, the birds, where they had
been sitting on the far shore, were visible from the camp; and all of
them, affrighted by the reports, were now seen winging their way over
the tops of the trees. No, it could not have been at the flamingoes
Francois had fired. What then? This was the question which Basil and
Lucien put to each other, not without some feelings of anxiety.
Perhaps, thought they, Francois has sprung a deer, or trampled up a
flock of turkeys? So the brothers were fain to conjecture; but their
conjectures were soon ended by Francois himself, who was heard far off
through the woods, shouting in a fearful manner.

Basil and Lucien seized their rifles, and ran forward to find him; but
before they could reach the piece of timber, Francois was seen coming up
the trail between the trees, and running as if for his life! In front
of him an object appeared, like a dead log, lying directly across the
path. It could not be that, for it was in motion. It was a living
animal--an alligator!

It was one, too, of the largest dimensions--nearly twenty feet in
length, and lay right across the path. Basil and Lucien saw it the
moment they got opposite the opening. They saw, too, it was not that
which was putting Francois to his speed, for he was running directly
upon it. Something behind him occupied all his thoughts, and he did not
see the alligator at all; for, although his brothers shouted to warn
him, he ran on; and, stumbling over the hideous body of the reptile,
fell flat upon his face--his gun pitching forward out of his hands as he
fell. He was not hurt, however, but, scrambling to his feet again,
continued his race, shouting, as he emerged half breathless out of the
bushes, "A bear! a bear!"

Basil and Lucien, making ready their pieces, looked along the trail.
There, sure enough, was a bear coming up as fast as he could gallop. It
was at him Francois had fired. The small shot had only served to
irritate him; and, seeing such a puny antagonist as Francois, he had
given chase.

At first they all thought of taking to their heels, and seeking safety
by mounting their horses; but the bear had got too near, and one or
other might be caught be