Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-05-15
CAPTURE AND DEATH OF A MAMMOTH
ri, trt.,.r4 ALLIGATOR.


Irs trtr.r. ALLIGATOR.
The subioiued is the account from Sill
mans Journal. OF the destruction OF huge
alligator. TO which we alluded. day before
yesterday. 1t will be found exceedingly
Interesting.
ln The course ofthe year 1881, the propri.
etor OF Halahsla informed me that he ire.
queutly lost horses and cows on remote
part OF his plantation, and that the natives
assured him that they were taken by an enor-
nous alligator, who frequenled one OF the
streams which run into the lake.-Their
descriptions were so highly wrought. thai,
they were attributed TO the fondness for ex
aggeration, 10 which the inhabitants of thai,
country are peculiarly addicted. and very
little credit was given to their repeated re-.
lations
All doubts as TO the existence OF the ami
NAL were at last dispelled by the desti uction
Tan Indian. who attempted TO ford the river
on horseback, although enircated to desist
by his companions, who crossed at shall
low place, higher up. He reached the cen
ire oithe stream, and was laughing at the
others for their prudence. when tho, alliga-
tor came upon him. His teeth encountered
y
while the rider tnlnbled on the other side
into the water and made for the shore. The
horse, TOO terrified to move, stood trembling
where the attack was made. The alligator
disregarding him. pursued the man, who
safely reached the bank. which be could
easily have assembled, bal rendered fool-har-
dy by his escape. be placed himself behind
tree. which had fallen partly into The wa
ter. and drawing his heavy knife, leaned
over the tree, and on the approach of his
enemy, struck him on the nose The ami
NAL repeated his assault and the Indian his
blows, until the former, exasperated at the
resistance, rushed on the man, and seizino
him by the middle oil the body, which was
at once enclosed and crushed in his capac
ious jaws. swan into the lake. His friends
hasteEed 10 the rescue; but the alligator
slowly left the shore. while the poor wretch.
writing and shrieking in his agony. with
his knife uplifted in his clasped hands, seem
ed. as the others expressed it, "beld out rs
a man would carry a torch" His suffer
ings were not long continued. for the mon
s,er sank 10 the bottom. and soon after re
appearing alone on the surface, and calmly
basking in the sun. gave 10 the horror strck-
I
death and burial flheir comrade.
A short time after this event. | made q
visit 10 Halahala and expressing strong
desire TO capture or destroy the alligator,
my host readily offered his assistance The
animal had been seen n few days before,
with his head and one of his fore feet. resting
on the bank. and his eyes following the
motion OF some cows which were grazing
near. Our informer likened his appearance
10 that of cat watching for mouse. and
in the attitude TO spring upon his prey when
il should come within his reach
Hearing that the alligator had killed a
horse. we proceeded to the place, about five
miles from the house. Ii was a tranquil
spot and one Of singular beauty. even in
that land. The stream, which few hun
bred feet from the lake narrowed to brook.
with its green banks fringed with graceful
bamboo. and The alternate glory OF glade
and Forest spreading far and wide, seemed
fitted for other purposes than the familiar
haunt oil the huge creature that had appro-
priaied il to himself A few cane huts
were situated short distance from the riv-
er, and we procured fromihem what men
they contained, who were ready to assist ia
NCCiug tutUlSCIfco nun ttiCh
neighbor The terror which he inspired,es
peciaIly since the death of their companion
had hitherto prevented them from making
an effor. to get rid of him but they glail,
awaited themselves of our preparations. and
with the usual dependence OF their charac
ier. were willing to do whatever exampl,
should dictate TO them. Having reason L
believe that the alligator was in the river
we commenced operations by sinking nets
upright, across It's mouth, three deep. at in
teryals of several feet. The nets, whicl
were Of great strength. and intended forth'
capture OF the wild buffalo. were fastened
40 trees on the banks. making a complei
fence TO the communication with the lake
My companion and myself placed oursel
yes with our guns on either side OF IN
stream, while the Indians. with long BAN
boos, felt for the animal. For some time b
refused TO be disturbed; and we began Z
fear that he was not within our limits. whel
a spiral motion Of the water. under the spo
where was Standing. led me TO direct tb
natives to IL; and the creature slowly move
on the bottom towards the nets. which b
no sooner touched, than he quietly turne
back and proceeded up the stream I'M
movement was several times repeated, I'll
having no restin the enclosure, he aitemp
ed TO climb up the bank-On receiving
ball in the body. he uttered growl lik
that of an angry dog. and plunging int
the water crossed TO the other side. wher
III ..~..l.. ...i...o..c.