We were watching old Tom show us his string of fish. When he threw them back in the water the alligator grabbed them. The boat rocked violently. Tom fell overboard. The Alligator got him.

We ran for help. The Sheriff, his deputy, the game warden and my uncle brought me and my little brother back to the lake to search for old Tom and the alligator.

I was 10 and my brother was 8 when it happened.

We had to wait until night so we could use flashlights to spot his reflecting eyes.

We motored around in the boat until we spotted him.

He came for us!