The Story of a Bear and Alligators.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 877, 21 December 1888, Page 9

The Story of a Bear and Alligators.

The following appears in the Globe-Demo-,o*at:—‘Pemberton Ferry, Florida, July 5. —Wilda and Josie Bryan, the two twin daughters of G. H. Bryan, one of the oldest settlers in this section, who lives about two miles north of this station, are just now the. heroines of this place. These are two girls, or young ladies rather, as they are just beyond “sweet sixteen,” are bonny, buxom ■ lasses, and as well acquainted with the country as the best hunters in it. They, too, are excellent shots, and for hunting their record is something that Mr Bryan often boasts.of. The girls take a quiet hunt veryoften, either on the river or in the high hammocks so numerous around here, and they put to shame many of the Nimrods or hunters by the fish and game that they bring in. Just now the most exciting topic is a stirring adventure which the girls had the other day, and in which they came off victorious, displaying great pluck and bravery. Friday last the two girls concluded to take a day’s hunt in the Great Aurantula Hammock, the upper edge of which touches the river some miles below here. Starting out early they made good progress, and bynine o’clock were in the midst of the wild hammook. During the forenoon they had luck—killing a deer, a wild-cat, ten big grey squirrels, and several enormous snakes. After taking a noonday lunch they decided to cross over Alligator Creek, a wide but shallow stream that crosses the hammock, emptying into the Withlacoochee. Just before reaching the creek they had to pass through a dense canebrake for several rods.* When about halfway through one of their dogs, that had lingered behind, came rushing up, yelping lustily, while close on its heels was a big blaok bear, fierce and ugly as it could be. The path was so narrow that they had no chance to fight the animal, and, in fact, the dog and bear came in on them so suddenly that little time was allowed them for reflection. Miss Josie slung her rifle around and fired at the beast, but in the confusion only wounded him. The girls then ran ahead, intending to get out on to the 1

pen bank by the water’s edge, so as to get" a fair ground to battle old bruin. But the infuriated animal, aroused to madness by the rifle ball, pursued them so closely, that only scientific dodging saved them from a close hug. Emerging from the path they noticed the dugout used to cross, the creek lying right in front of them, and both of the girls, struck with the’same idea, sprang into the boat, their impetus carrying it out into the creek. The dog was unable to get into the boat, but he bit at bruin’s heels so sharply that the latter had to stop his pursuit of the girls and endeavour to punish his four-footed assailant. But the dog.was too wary, and kept out of his reach ; the girls called him, and, .plunging in, he swam out .to them. Meanwhile-the hungry denizens of the creek, whose numbers gave it its name, were awakened by the tumult, and they began to show themselves. As the dog jumped in, the 'splash attracted scores of the ugly reptiles 'from all directions, and the water was dotted by the black snouts of the hungry ’gators. The girls noticed this, and "called encouragingly to their dog, who seemed "to be fully - aware of his danger. Several black noses were already pointed in his direction, and it looked as -if the ’gators might get a meal. But Wilda seized the pole lying at the bottom of the canoe, and by a skilful push sent the boat close to the dog. Josie was waiting, and as the dog swam up she helped "him clamber over the side, almost upsetting the i frail vessel. And it was just in time, too, ..for just as the dog’s legs slipped out qf the .water a huge pair of jaws rose out of the .depths with an ominous snap. With a souse the'disappointed saurian sank. While this was going on bruin stood on the bank growling and snarling in impotent rage at the dog and girls thus escaping. Seeing the dog in the . canoe seemed to render him still more furious, and, with a deep growl, he dashed into the water and began swimming toward the boat. Between the bear and the ’gators the girls began to think their hands would be , full. Wilda picked up her gun and made a snap shot at the animal, but a movement of the dog disconcerted her aim, and the load of buckshot flew to one side, only a small number striking the bear. But they angered him the .more, and, with a snarl he almost leaped out of the water in his mad eagerness to reach the boat. Wilda dropped the gun, and, picking up the pole, soon placed’the boat a rod ahead of the pursuing animal. Josie had again reloaded her gun, and she turned to deliver his quietus to the animal. But the commotion in the water and the . bear’s evident disquietude put a new face on ’ matters, and she withheld her fire. The dog’s yelping and the bear’s growling had evidently awakened the scaly denizens of the ! creek to a realising sense that it was meal time. Missing the dog they were not averse to bear-meat. Bruin in his hurry to catch his first prey had paid little attention to what might befall him in the creek. But, now he began to notice the increasing number of black spots on the water, all turning toward him, and probably instinct told him • that hungry ’gators, in their own element, were a foe not to be despised. With an’ uneasy whine he attempted to turn and regain the shore, but now it was too late. With a rush a big black form was seen to dart up. against him and in a second he was seized and dragged under. The old fellow was game, however, and now that he had gotten into the-fight he proved no.mean antagonist. VVith an immense effort he plunged away from-the-attacking ‘gators and dashed forward for the shore. The water shoaled, and it seemed as if he, would escape. A big bull saurian dashed forward and seized the bear by . one of his hind legs, while two others swam behind him to cut off his retreat. With a deep roar of rage the bear -turned on the one that had seized him, and one stroke of his? paw clawed out the ' ‘gator’s eyes. _ The latter bellowed with pain, and" thrashing the water madly,'plunged forward at bruin. Other ‘gators joined in, and the poor animal was beset on all sides. Sitting on its haunches, with the blood flowing from a gaping wound on its hind leg, the bear snapped, olawed, and bit at his savage an. tagonists; but they were too many for him. Another‘seized ODe of his legs in its powerful jaws, and with a strong effort drew the hear off into'deeper water ; others dashed at him from all sides, snapping at him from every point. The water splashed high, and was churned into snowy whiteness by the furious J efforts of the fighters, save where the red j blood told the tale. But a few moments longer did the unequal struggle last. Bruin strove; to regain his feet, but the cruel jaws of the reptiles closed on his legs, sides, and wherever a hold could be secured, and with one mighty, agonising roar the bear disap-, peared, while the furious struggle continued under water for. several seconds. Bits of flesh and blood-dyed waters, however, pointed to the bear's fate, and the hyenas of the water fought among themselves for the morsels of meat. The girJs had gazed on the fight spellbound, but now they were rudely aroused to their own peril. The dog had barked loudly during the. savage fight going on so near, and the ‘gators who missed bear-meat seemed to be after dog’s flesh. The canoe rocked, almost overturning, and the startled girls saw a monstrous pair of open jaws fight at the side of their small craft. Josie pushed her rifle barrel in the ’gator’s mouth and pulled the trigger, sending a bullet where it evidently didn’t agree, judging from the reptile’s sudden sinking and thrashing about. A moment later a huge tail came flying over the bow of the boat, and striking the dog, who stood there barking; knocked him into the water. A big pair of wide-open jaws was just about to close on the tempting morsel when Wilda stooped down and, catohing the dog’s foreEawa, by a sudden effort drew him into the oat, the saurian’s jaws closing with a snap that indicated a great disappointment. The dog cowered down on the bottom of the boat, while the girls attended to the other ’gators who seemed to manifest an inclination to get into the canoe. Several shots were fired at the eoaly reptiles, but their taste of blood had made them fearless. A scream from Josie aronsed "Wilda, who was striving to pole the boat ashore. Turning around, she saw her sister half drawn out of the canoe, a big monster gator having seized * her dress. J6sie was beating the ’gator over the nose with her rifle in one hand, while with the other she endeavoured to hold herself in the boat. Without a moment’s hesitation Wilda raised the long pole she was using, and,

poising it a moment threw it at the’gator’s ' r head. -By rare good fortune it struck him in’ the eye and penetrated to the brain. "With a loud bellow the" reptile sunk. For the next few minutes ' the brave girls had all they could do—one; filing at the saurians as they’ ' approached too closely, while the Mother, , nsing the "breeqh of her gun‘as a paddle, urged the canoe to shore. As it touched the sand both leaped out and ran up the bank, none too soon either, for a big pursuing ’gator, 'in its ip,ad desperation at losing its prey, threw itself forward, crushing in the sides of the dugoub. The. girls concluded that .they had had’ enough hunting for that day, and returned home by another route. The next day; a party of men went down to the creek,, to, see the. scene of the struggle. Over tbn big ’gators were found dead in the creek, while -in’the centre several clean picked bones showed that bear meat was a relish to alligators. The girls make light of their thrilliqg experience, but admit that they would not| care to have many each. Considering the partiality the ’gators evidently had for dog meat, and the clumsiness of a log dugout; it is a wonder that the girls eaoapedT'.fior-.thq- creek is said to be fairly filled with. ’gatobsy and a dozen or more of the reptiles make very unpleasant and disagreeable neighbours.’