Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-04-10
FISHING FOR iLlGATORS.

Most Of the. African tribes excel in address
and intrcpidily. A rema,koble instance is
given bv our author. While on the banks
of the Bcngo, said to abound in Aligators,
crocOdies and enormous snakes, which often
lurk in tie impenptrahle jungle of reeds, he
wished TO know whether the river really con-
tanned any of the former; and for small
reward, a negro fisherman offered to catch
ore:-
"This intrepid fisherman Immediately kill
ed IA sucking pig, and ran moderately thick
stick through the entire length Of lis body.
which he cut open. To the middle Of this
stick he attached an iron chain, eieht or ten
feet long, by means OF "A clamp, and then fur
Their elongated the CLAIM by fastening cord
10 it. Armed with two strong barbcd iron
'ancrs he went on board his ligh canoe aud
put out short distance from the shore, while
we remained in the hat watching bis proceed
ings v ilh great interest and curiosity. Alta
venture, he thew the pi. into the river, al d
scarcely minute had elapsed, ere a pair Of
emo. nous, widt'y-rxtcndcd jaws rose above
the snrfice, and quichlr Disappeared " 18th the
trcacherous prize. The fisherman took ad.
vantage OF this moment Ia taStcn the end of
the rope 10 lis canoe, and also to attach his
two la ces by long ropes 10 the boat. The
voraciuus animal soon devourrd lis booty,
and drew the boat which OF course followed
his every movement, FIST 10 one side of tire
river, and then 10 the other, always seeking
for the deepest water. The rope being con-
linnally drawn tighter and lighcr, the alligator
darred with great violence above the surface
whcrupon the negro vigorously thrust the
lance at his head, and the monster again div
ed. Crrlain Of approaching victory, he stood
calmly with upiited lance, watching for an
opportunity Of throwing il again, whenever
his adversary might rise above the surface
We were much astonished al the mans pa
lient assiduily, for there was once a pause of
hat an hour, during which the animal did not
appear, but as he gradually became weaker,
he rose more frequently, ana at last always
with his Jaws wide open. The numerous
wounds inflicted by the lance, and consequent
loss of blood, SO completely exhausted the
poor alligator, that he had great difficulty in
drawing the boat after him ; but suddenly
collecting all his remaining strength, he pull
ed the boat on one side with such violence,
that the fisherman fell into the water. In an
instant he deXrerously flung himself into the
boat, and continued Ia strike his antagonist
with his harpoon. The combat lasted near
" an hour and half, when the alligator Weld
ed, without resistance to the superior force
Of the negro, who gradually brought / is boat
alongside of US, and then suddenly leapinc
on shore fastened the rope 10 COCO palm in
fort of his hut. lie then earlrssly approach
ed the animal which WAS nearly covered v iih
water, and deruived him Of al possibility Of
escape, by INJECTING several deep Wounds
Life was not extinct when the alligator was
abandoned to his fate, hut it was devoted TO
inevitable death and when We gave the man
his promised eucrdon. he observed coolly,
that he would gladly exhibit similar proof
of his skill every day. This animal was
twenty fee, long. DR.. 7ams' Visit 10 the
Portuguese Possessions in South We,ter.
Africa,