The protagonist is Ume, husband of Taita, who fought for his wife whose shoulder was caught by the Alligator. He was successful in freeing her but she dies because of severe loss of blood. He belonged to the native village and worked for the author when called. Ume, his Taita and his 8 year old son had gone to collect mussel-shells. It was Taita who was collecting the shells by going into the river while Ume and his son kept a vigilant watch for the alligator.
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