Tom Halstead caressed the barrel of the rifle lovingly as Joe Dawson made the boat slowly creep toward that floating head.
“I’m going to try a shot now,” announced Mr. Tremaine. “You be ready, Halstead. If I miss, you fire instantly.”
Bang! A bullet splashed the water just beyond that dark head. Before Tom could fire the snout dropped below the surface.
“Stop the speed. Reverse!” whispered Mr. Tremaine, tensely. “There! Hold her just where she is.”
For some moments the launch drifted without headway, while every pair of eyes watched eagerly for the reappearance of the alligator’s snout.
“There it——” began Oliver Dixon.
Bang! As the alligator’s head showed again, some distance from the spot where it had vanished, Tom Halstead sighted swift as thought, and pressed the trigger.
“Jove! You hit the beast!” cried Mr. Tremaine, excitedly, as a commotion started in the water where the huge reptile floated.
Then, suddenly, the whole length of the body appeared. The ’gator rolled over on its back and lay motionless.
“Great curling smoke! You killed the beast, Halstead!” cried Henry Tremaine, a-quiver with enthusiasm.