Before they were aware of their danger the boys were nearly upon the great saurian.
"We're lost!" whispered Jed.
"Ugh!"
The last exclamation was made by Stam, as the long tail of the alligator rubbed against his side. Both boys expected to see it swish through the water the next moment and dash the life out of them, but it did not move. Stam took a hold of it and twisted it viciously.
The alligator did not resent this familiarity, but was as motionless as ever.
"He's asleep!" Jed whispered. "We can get by him yet."
"No, he's dead," shouted Stam, "and he'll have to carry us ashore."
It took the brothers only an instant to realize their good fortune. The alligator was only the dead carcass of a big bull 'gator, which the sun had swollen and distended. It was so light that it could almost carry a man on its back without sinking. The boys threw an arm over either side of the carcass, and then with the other they began to paddle for dear life.
The pursuing alligators were close upon them, but, with their strange support, they easily held their own in the race.
They reached the bank in time, and, leaving the dead 'gator in the shallow water, they staggered up in the woods to a place of safety.