George, crawl up to de big tree, look
'long gun, and shoot um."

I was skilled enough then in the huntsman's craft to know what to do,
and divesting myself of hat and boots, I went down and crawled
cautiously in the trail made by the boy, trying hard to go as silently
and with as little effort, but the nervous excitement set my heart
beating, and by the time I reached the great gnarled tree I felt
breathless, and my hands trembled exceedingly.

I lay quite still for a few minutes before venturing to do more, and
then inch by inch I drew myself sidewise, and peered round the rugged
trunk of the tree.

The next moment I was quite paralysed by the surprise I felt, for there,
not twenty feet away from the spot where I lay, was a monstrous
alligator, evidently fast asleep on a glistening mud-bank, his trail
from the water being distinctly marked in the soft mud. There were the
prints of his paws, and of his long tapering tail, and I could do
nothing but gaze at his great proportions.

As far as I could judge he was about fourteen feet long, but evidently
of great age, from his bulk, his horny hide banded and barred and
corrugated, while the strength of such a beast must be, I knew,
tremendous.

How long I watched the sleeping monster I cannot tell, but it was some
time before I woke up to the fact that I had come on purpose to put an
end to its destructive career, and that I had a gun ready charged in my
hand lying close alongside.

Then with my heart beating fast I slowly pushed the barrel forward,
resting it upon one of the mossy buttresses at the tree-trunk, my eyes
fixed all the time upon the great closed and smiling mouth, and the
peculiar heavily-browed eyes.

As if I were moved by something that was not myself, I gradually got the
gun into position, grasping it firmly and pressing the butt home, while
I carefully sighted the monster, wondering a little what the
consequences would be if I missed, whether I should be attacked, and
whether I should have time to get away. But directly after every sense
was concentrated upon the task I had in hand, and just as I was about to
draw trigger the creature quickly raised its head, as if suspecting the
nearness of danger.

I was well ready though now, and raised the barrel of my gun slightly,
pressed it against the tree, and fired.

There was the roar of the gun, a tremendous kick on the shoulder, and
beyond the heavy sour-smelling smoke by which I was surrounded I