The big brown log, that was no log, turned partially over and died.
"An alligator," said Henry, "I've heard of them, but this is the first that I've ever seen." "I've heard of them, too," said Paul, "but I never thought I'd walk almost into the mouth of one without knowing it." Shif'less Sol had his grievance, too.

"Now that's another o' the ways o' this here southern country!" he exclaimed in a pained tone, "A big, hungry, wild animal, tryin' to pass itself off ez, an old dead log.

Up in Kentucky, a good honest bear, or even a sneakin' panther, would be ashamed to look you in the face after tryin' to play sech a low-down trick on a man." "It is certainly a hideous brute," said Paul.
"I'm thinkin' that we'd better build our fire big," said Long Jim.

"I don't want to wake up in the mornin' an' find myself devoured by an alligator, jest when I wuz about to reach the great town uv New Or-lee-yuns." But they were not molested that night by either man or animal, and the next day, watchful and surcharged with interest, they approached New Orleans, which was bulking so large to them.

The river looped out into a crescent and narrowed greatly.