Tom Halstead’s eyes were gleaming, now, with the spirit of the chase.
“That’s the snout of a mighty big old rogue of a ’gator,” murmured Mr. Tremaine in Tom’s ear. “It must be one of the pair you and Ida saw this morning.”
“Gun, sir,” murmured Jeff Randolph, passing over a loaded rifle.
“Do you know how to shoot, Halstead?” asked the launch’s owner.
“Do I?” murmured the boy, his eyes gleaming.
“Want a crack at that ’gator?”
“Don’t I?”
“Pass Halstead a rifle,” nodded Mr. Tremaine.
Jeff did so, adding:
“If you never shot a rifle of as heavy calibre as this one, Captain, look out for the recoil.”