Alligator and Boy

This is a true tale and no yarn,
Our boys bathed in Hoxa Tarn;
But for long they had spectator,
Eager, watching alligator.

He wished to make an example
With fattest boy for a sample,
So that the lads no more would fool,
’Nor play around his favorite pool.

His fierce assaults the boys did warn,
But they resolved to hold the Tarn,
As they expertly all could swim;
For time, they out-manoeuvred him.

But they knew sooner or later,
They would be caught by alligator;
So strategy they did employ,
And they rigged up a seeming boy.

He thought, “I here bear sovereign rule,
No boy shall trespass in my pool;
So now I will enforce my laws,
And crunch him quick between my jaws.”

He ope’d his mouth, the earth did shake,
Was it thunder bolt or earthquake?
For there was scattered far and wide
Grease and alligator’s hide.