To Paul's amazement and horror, the big brown log got into action at
either end. One end, in the shape of a tail, whipped around at him, barely
missing him, and the other end, splitting itself horizontally in half,
revealed huge jaws lined with terrible teeth. Paul sprang back with a cry,
and Henry, who was near, rifle in hand, fired a ball into the monster's
brain. The big brown log, that was no log, turned partially over and died.
"An alligator," said Henry, "I've heard of them, but this is the first
that I've ever seen."
"I've heard of them, too," said Paul, "but I never thought I'd walk almost
into the mouth of one without knowing it."
Shif'less Sol had his grievance, too. "Now that's another o' the ways o'
this here southern country!" he exclaimed in a pained tone, "A big,
hungry, wild animal, tryin' to pass itself off ez, an old dead log. Up in
Kentucky, a good honest bear, or even a sneakin' panther, would be
ashamed to look you in the face after tryin' to play sech a low-down
trick on a man."
"It is certainly a hideous brute," said Paul.
"I'm thinkin' that we'd better build our fire big," said Long Jim. "I
don't want to wake up in the mornin' an' find myself devoured by an
alligator, jest when I wuz about to reach the great town uv New
Or-lee-yuns.
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