too, she was. We were
within an inch of the bank, the tide running like a sluice, and should
have turned the turtle the moment that we had struck. Such a thing as
carrying politeness too far. If I had not twisted the wheel out of her
hands as I did, in two minutes more the alligators would have divided
her pretty carcase, and all the rest of us to boot. No occasion for
that, Captain M---. There's plenty of black fellows for them floating
up and down all day long, as you will see."

"They throw all their dead into the river, do they not?"

"All, sir. This is a continuation of the sacred river, the Ganges, and
they believe that it insures their going to heaven. Have you never been
in India before?"

"Never."

"Nor these three gentlemen?"

"Neither of them."

"Oh, then," cried the captain, his face brightening up at the
intelligence, as it gave him an opportunity of amusing his passengers;
"then, perhaps, you would not object to my explaining things to you as
we go along?"

"On the contrary, we shall feel much indebted to you."

"Observe," said the captain, looking round as if to find an object to
decide him where to begin--"do you see that body floating down the river
with the crow perched upon it, and that black thing flush with the
water's edge which nears it so fast--that's the head of an alligator; he
is in chase of it."

The party directed their attention to the object; the alligator, which
had the appearance of a piece of black wood floating down the stream,
closed with the body: his upper jaw rose clear out of the water, and
descended upon his prey, with which he immediately disappeared under the
muddy water.

"By the Lord, Mr Crow, but you'd a narrow chance then," observed the
captain; "you may thank your stars that you did not lose your life as
well as your breakfast. Don't you think so, young gentleman?" continued
the captain, addressing Courtenay.

"I think," observed Courtenay, "that Mr Crow was not exactly captain of
his own ship."

"Very true, sir. That point of land which we are just shutting in,
Captain M---, is the end of Saugor Island, famous for Bengal tigers, and
more famous once for the sacrifice of children. You have heard of it?"

"I have heard of it; but if you have ever witnessed the scene, I shall
be obliged by your narration."

"I did once, Captain M---, but nothing would ever induce me to witness
it again. I am very glad that government has put a stop to it by forc