An alligator about 8 feet long emerged from a quiet slumber in the sun. He swam across the river floated to a stop just 10 or so feet off shore face to face with the fisherman. (I was a comfortable 100 feet or so away). They stared. The gator inched a little closer. They stared. The guy got a little antsy, got up off his cooler and started tossing big sticks at the gator. More staring. I would have been out of there but the guy got a big palm frond and returned to guard his bait and rod. More staring. The palm frond slapped the water and the gator disappeared into the river. He re-emerged just another few feet off shore but a truce seemed to he made. Everyone settled back in and the fishing resumed.