While the dog was running restlessly back and forth to find a safe place, Benjamin sat on the bank of the river, letting his tired, burning feet hang in the water. Suddenly he was dreadfully frightened and drew his feet back hastily. A large pointed head thrust itself through the water, a gigantic mouth opened, showing two rows of dreadful teeth, and a deep voice growled, “A fine morsel, just right for breakfast.”
Benjamin screamed aloud and the dog came running quickly to him. Though he was himself a little frightened, he whispered to Benjamin, “That is an alligator. Step back and let me speak to him.” [[46]]
The little boy obeyed and the dog addressed himself with cajoling courtesy to the alligator, saying, “Excuse us for having come to your kingdom, mighty lord of the river, but we are fleeing from evil people and know that you with your power will be good enough to defend us.”
The alligator felt flattered, drew his gigantic mouth into a friendly grin, and replied politely, “You are a clever animal. I am truly more mighty than people, and,” he agreed pensively, “neither are we as bad as they. But this creature that sat with his feet hanging in the water is also a human being. Then why is he running away from his brothers?” And the shiny, greenish eyes of the alligator looked distrustfully at the dog. [[47]]
“You surely know, wise and mighty animal, that the rich people are merciless to the poor, as though they were the wildest beasts. That is because there is no more greedy animal than this man. He is never satisfied, he always wants more: food and drink and houses, but above all, gold. That makes him so mean. My little friend is a poor child who must work for a rich man. He was torn away from his parents, and beaten until the blood flowed. I advised him to run away. And now we beg that you help us, for any moment the servants of the rich man may appear and capture my little friend.”
The alligator shook his pointed head thoughtfully and said: “People are peculiar creatures. No alligator would torment a little alligator, neither do we know the difference between rich and poor, and still it is said that we are evil animals. It is true that I would like to eat your little friend for breakfast, yet I will be merciful to him. I will also show you a safe hiding place. Do you see that little island? The servants of the rich man will not find you there.”
“We thank you, mighty animal; but how can we reach the island? The water is rough and deep, and my little friend can’t swim.”
“I will carry you over on my back,” answered the alligator.
Benjamin and the dog seated themselves on the scaly back of the animal, and it began to swim. What a strange journey that was! The waves played over the back of the alligator and the dog was afraid that the alligator might change his mind and eat both of them for breakfast. For that reason he spoke continuously to the alligator, flattered him, praised his goodness and declared solemnly that the alligators are the noblest animals in the world. This trick did not fail in its purpose. When they landed on the island, the alligator called twelve of the strongest alligators to him, instructing them that they must not harm a hair on the boy or the dog, that they were his guests. He also commanded them to swim along the bank of the river [[48]]and stand guard, keeping the people from coming to the island. This was well done, for when the sun was high in the heavens, five men appeared, sent by the rich man to look for Benjamin. One pointed to the island, started to go into the water, when an immense [[49]]alligator pushed his head out of the water and the man crept back. “He can’t be there,” said the man to his companions. “The alligators here must have eaten him.”