When sufficiently near to witness the movements of the monsters, who were engaged in preliminary tactics, one to prevent insinuating surprise; for the alligator, from his shrinking contractions, was evidently aware of the impending danger, if his foe was allowed to gain his object, and the other to excite the advantage he wished to gain, the headway of the boat was checked. As the distance intervening was shortened, the scaly tail, back, and immense snout of the alligator, were exposed to view in sidelong reflection within the umbrageous shadow, proclaiming him the patriarchal champion of his species, and well matched in strength to contend with his ophidian foe, should he, from tantalizing banter, proceed to actual hostilities. Gradually the serpent’s curves and retractions grew more energetic in gliding movement as its head darted hither and thither, now disappearing on one side of the saurian, then retracting over his back for an investigation of the opposite side, with the evident object of seeking a passage beneath. The alligator, although passive in his defensive movements, was observed to crouch closer to the underlying branches whenever the head of his foe touched a part beneath the scales of his armor, his apprehension being made manifest by a nervous twitching of his tail, as if aware of the fatal vantage sought. The captain had requested the engineer to keep the steamer in position until the victor in the duelistic contest was determined; but the wariness of the alligator, who was not in a position to accept the wager of battle, made the result of the siege doubtful, as it might be prolonged until they had tested their respective powers of total abstinence to the extent of endurance. With the thought of his own culpability should the gratification of Mr. Welson’s curiosity prove fatal to the hopes of Correliana, who had placed her reliance in his direction for the relief of her kindred, he was about to request the engineer, who acted as pilot, to proceed, when the pagan exclamation proh Jupiter! from the object of his thoughts called attention to the cause. The alligator had attempted to gain the advantage of his preferred element by a backward movement, this act had opened to the head of his foe the sought for advantage, which had already passed underneath his body between his dwarfed legs before his hind quarters reached the water. In a twinkling two coils had involved the saurian’s body just behind his fore legs, the part most susceptible to wounds and compression. Then came a fearful struggle that swayed the tree attachments through the wide expanse of its reach, causing in the minds of the beholders a loathsome interest devoid of sympathy, offering the test of instinctive strength and endurance as a meagre source of gratification. Still, to Mr. Welson, the contest was not altogether devoid of useful application for parallel deduction when compared with the animal traits of human instinct. The tightening of the prehensile