ground, they were quite still
and speechless; no throbbings of fright; no extraordinary circulation, as
far as I could discover. It was at this time, however, that on looking
closer, I observed a strange expression of countenance; a wild look in the
eye; a kind of mute horror there expressed; wondering at which, the
popular belief flashed upon me at once, and I gave small Bob a look which
puzzled him exceedingly. 'Can it be then,' said I, chasing this thought
about in a distracted manner, 'can it be possible that their mother would
not have defended them from small Bob?--but that, on the contrary, (it is
a horrible thought,) she would--would have anticipated that nigger? Were
they born with an instinctive dread of that mother? Did they look
shudderingly from some pin-hole in their shells before venturing into a
wet and miserable world, where their first and last thought must forever
be to avoid, as death and destruction, those who should have brought them
their first morsels; who should have warned them of the rattlesnake; who
should have preserved them from the cat-fish? Alas! here was the
bitterness of that knowledge of evil at the first breath of life!

But waiving all this: how readily you will anticipate, Mr. EDITOR, that I
at once said to myself, I would possess those alligators. I did. They were
put up at auction, and the whole lot came down to me at half-a-bit each,
the smallest coin of the country, but a fortune to small Bob. Bob and I
went home with a new sensation! Apples and marbles to Bob; to me,
something to study, to fuss over, to care for. How refreshing, after the
excitement of balls and late suppers, to retire, and still better to rise,
upon alligators! How primitive, how scriptural, how pyramidal in
suggestion! A large tub with sufficient water to cover them well, was
placed in the yard, and tilted a little, so that they could crawl out into
the sun; a choice of vegetables and meats thrown in for supper; and the
whole family of blacks, by virtue of half-bits, were put in special charge
of the contents. As additional security, the old dog was shown, and
disliked them; cats were banished; the bear's chain made stronger; and,
not unimportant, my room looked out upon the tub. The next morning they
were inspected and found to be a trifle better in condition; but I was
mortified more than I care to express, that they had wholly refused the
dainties we had given them. And this they continued to do, so that for