CHAPTER EIGHT.
ABOUT ALLIGATORS.
The boys now returned to their tent, impressed with curious feelings by the scene they had just witnessed.

They lay down upon the grass, and entered into a conversation, of which bears and alligators formed the subjects.

The latter, however, with their singular and revolting habits, came in for the greater share of their talk.

Many odd stories in relation to them were known to all, even to the little Francois; and Basil being an old hunter among the swamps and bayous, was acquainted with many of the habits of these animals.

But Basil was not much of an observer; and he had only noticed such peculiarities as, from time to time, were forced upon his attention by the incidents of the chase.
Lucien, however, had more closely observed their habits, and had also studied them from books.