“Take the cut-off and go around by the sound and Lake Mabel,” said Ronald.
“That will give the girls a chance to see more,” seconded Maurice.
“Around the canal we go,” said Dick. “The canal scenery is nothing remarkable, girls, but when we get along further, there will be a view worth seeing.”
On the dry slopes of the canal more alligators were sunning themselves. But these were all shy of being seen. One scarcely saw them, Ann thought, before they were in the river and out of sight entirely. “The Indians hunt them, you know,” Dick explained. “But there are not so many to get any more, they say. A man who has been coming here for the last twenty-five years told me that there used to be thousands of alligators where there are only a few now.”
“So far as I am concerned,” said Ann, “there are enough.” This remark brought a laugh from the boys and similar sentiments from the girls.
“Don’t worry, Ann,” said Ronald. “There aren’t any around the towns.”
But just then, something was the matter with the engine, which finally stopped, to the inward distress of at least the feminine portion of the passengers. To their credit it may be said, however, that nobody screamed.
“Steady, folks,” said Dick, working away. “I’ll get her to going in a minute.”
The boat swung around, without direction, and Ann thought that they were going to bump into the bank. Would they upset? So far as she knew, everybody could swim. But how about the alligators?