Place yourself in ambush, while I call them." Now one of Francois' accomplishments was an unusual talent for mimicry.
He could imitate everything, from the crowing of a cock to the bellowing of a bull, and so naturally as to deceive even the animals themselves.
Running down towards the bank, he crouched behind some yucca-bushes, and commenced whining and barking like a young puppy.

Basil also concealed himself among the bushes.
In a few seconds, several alligators were seen swimming over the bayou, coming from all sides at once.

They were not long in reaching the bank where Francois lay concealed, and foremost of all a large male, throwing up his snout, crawled out of the water.

He was calculating, no doubt, on making a meal of something; but was doomed to disappointment, and worse than that, for the sharp crack of Basil's rifle rang upon the air, and the hideous reptile rolled over in the mud; and, after sprawling about for a while, lay motionless.

He was quite dead, as the well-aimed rifle had sent a bullet right into his eye.
Basil and Francois now showed themselves--as they did not care to waste their ammunition by shooting any more--and the rest of the alligators, seeing them, swam off faster than they had come.