though he intended coming back with the larger camera and filming the
alligator hunt.

"Well, I've read lots of stories to the effect that an alligator or
crocodile could swing his tail around and knock a man or dog into his
mouth with one sweep, but I don't believe it," the hunter said. "Of
course that big tail could do damage if it was properly used, and you
didn't get out of the way in time. In India I reckon the crocodiles are
dangerous, if what you read is true; but I don't reckon a Florida
alligator nor crocodile ever ate a man."

"I thought there were no crocodiles in this country," said Russ, who,
with a skillful movement of the oars, avoided hitting a big alligator.

"That's a mistake," said Jed. "There are both alligators and crocodiles
in Florida, and some of the crocodiles grow to be nearly fifteen feet
long. There ain't so much difference between crocodiles and alligators as
folks think. The main point is that a crocodile's head is more pointed
than an alligator's."

"They're all horrid enough looking," observed Alice.

"Wa'al, I grant you they ain't none of 'em beauties," returned the
hunter, with a chuckle, "though I have heard of some folks takin' home
little alligators for pets. I'd as soon have a pet bumblebee!" and he
laughed heartily.

The two girls were becoming almost indifferent to the alligators now,
though in turning about for the return trip to the steamer they several
times bumped into the clumsy creatures, and once the craft careened