My emotions grew still—thought became lull within my bosom—the powerful odour from the coral cones and large wax-like blossoms added its narcotic influences; and I fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty Four.
A Strange Apparition.
I had been but a few minutes in this state of unconsciousness, when I was awakened by a plunge, as of some one leaping into the pond. I was not startled sufficiently to look around, or even to open my eyes.
“Jake is having a dip,” thought I; “an excellent idea—I shall take one myself presently.”
It was a wrong conjecture. The black had not leaped into the water, but was still upon the bank near me, where he also had been asleep. Like myself, awakened by the noise, he had started to his feet; and I heard his voice, crying out:
“Lor, Massr George! lookee dar!—ain’t he a big un? Whugh!”
I raised my head and looked towards the pond. It was not Jake who was causing the commotion in the water—it was a large alligator.