Part 18 (2/2)

”That's how they fatten the iguanas,” the guide said ”The natives catch the off they fasten their legs in that ood to eat, they chop that off”

”It's cruel!” cried Joe

”Yes, but the Indians don't uide went on ”They are really too lazy to do anything else If some one told them it ork to keep the lizards as they do, instead of just shutting them up in a box to stay until they were needed to be killed for food, they'd stop this practice They'd do anything to get out of work; but this plan seems to theuana really good eating?” asked Joe

”Yes, it tastes like chicken,” the guide infor themselves to eat it”

”I'd rather have the fruits,” said Mr Alcando The boys had eaten two of the jungle variety One was the _e as a peach, and the other the _sapodilla_, fruit of the color of a plum The seeds are in a jelly-like mass

”You eat them and don't have to be afraid of appendicitis,” said the Spaniard with a laugh

Several vieere taken in the jungle ”village,” as Joe called it, and then they went farther on into the deep woods

”Whew! It's hot!” exclaioing to have a swiood-sized stream

”I' away in the water, which was cool and pleasant

”Aren't you co in?” called Blake to Mr Alcando, as on shore

”Yes, I think I will join you,” he replied He had begun to undress, when Blake, who had swuave a sudden cry

”Joe! Joe!” he shouted ”I'ator after me Help!”

CHAPTER XV

IN CULEBRA CUT

Joe sprang to his feet at the sound of his chu around in the water, and, for the moment, Blake was alone in the river

As Joe looked he saw a black, ugly snout, and back of it a glistening, black and knobby body, et out of the way

”I'e of the strea in

”You will be too late,” declared Mr Alcando ”The alligator will have hiood swimmer, or that I had a weapon”

But Joe did not stay to hear what he said But one idea was in his ht not be in ti cry, threw up his hands, and disappeared froot him--the beast has him!” cried the Spaniard, excitedly