ne. We, for instance, are not a bit afraid to
approach them with only a stick in our hands."

"That is, because we feel certain they are too clumsy on land to get at
us, as we can easily leap out of the reach of their tails and jaws. How
would you like to swim across that bayou at this moment? I dare say you
would not venture it."

"Not a bit of it--you are right there."

"And if you did, you would, in all probability, be attacked before you
could reach the opposite shore. But our alligators are not now what
they were an hundred years ago. We know, from the best authority, that
they were then much more fierce and dangerous, and often attacked men
without provocation. They have grown afraid of _us_, because they know
that we are dangerous to them; and they can easily distinguish our
upright form and shape from those of other animals. Look how they have
been hunted by men during the mania for alligator-leather, and see how
many of them are still killed for their oil and tails. It is quite
natural, then, they should fear us; and you may notice they are much
more timid near the plantations and settlements than in the wilder
parts. I have no doubt--and I have so heard it--that there are places
in the great swamps where they are still dangerous to approach. Those
who assert that the African crocodiles are more fierce, do not draw
their conclusions from facts. The caimans of South America--and these
are alligators--are quite as fierce as the crocodiles. I have read many
accounts of their attacking the natives of Guiana and Brazil, and
devouring them, too. Much of this is fabulous, no doubt; but there are
some stories of the kind well authenticated, and I have heard one which
I am certain is true. I shall relate it, if you desire, though it is a
very horrible and very melancholy tale, and I could well wish it had not
been true."

"Oh! tell it--tell it us," cried Francois. "We can bear the narrative;
neither Basil nor I have weak nerves. Have we, Basil?"

"No," replied Basil. "I guess we can stand it, Frank. Go on, Luce."

"Very well, then," said Lucien, "I shall give it, as it is not long, and
is therefore not likely to weary you."

CHAPTER NINE.

THE INDIAN MOTHER AND CAIMAN.

"There is, perhaps, no part of America where the alligators grow to a
greater size, and are more fierce in their nature, than upon the
Magdalena, and other great rivers that run into it. These rivers flow
through a low c