A NEGRO in a boat, gathering driftwood, saw a sleeping Alligator,
and, thinking it was a log, fell to estimating the number of
shingles it would make for his new cabin.  Having satisfied his
mind on that point, he stuck his boat-hook into the beast's back to
harvest his good fortune.  Thereupon the saurian emerged from his
dream and took to the water, greatly to the surprise of the man-
and-brother.

  "I never befo' seen such a cyclone as dat," he exclaimed as soon as
he had recovered his breath.  "It done carry away de ruf of my
house!"