Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-05-19
HUNTING AN ALLIGATOR.

HUNTING AN ALLlGAIOh
In the course of the year 1881, the proprietor
of Halahala at Manila, in the Island of Luconia,
informed me that he frequently lost horses and
COWS on remote part of his plantation, and that
the natives assured him that they were taken by
an enormous alligator who frequented one of
the streams which run into the lake. Their de-
scriptons were so highly wrought, that they
were attributed to the fondness for exaggeration
10 which the inhabitants Of that country are Pc
culiary addicted, and very little credit was given
to their repeated relations. All doubts as to
the existence of the animal were at last dispel-
ed by the destruction of an Indian, who attempt
ed to ford the river on horseback, although en-
treated to desist by his companions, who cross
ed at shallow place higher up. He reached
the centre of the stream and was laughing at the
others for their prudence, when the alligator
came upon him. His teeth encountered the sad.
die, which he tore from the horse, while the RI
der tumbled 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, dsregarding him, pursu-
ed the man, who safely reached the bank which
he could easily have ascended, but rendered fool
hardy by his escape, he placed himself behind a
tree which had fallen partly into the water, and
drawing his heavy knife leaned over the tree,
and on the approach of his enemy struck him on
the nose. The animal repeated his assaults and
the Indian his blows, until the former exaspera-
ted at the resistance, rushed on the man and
seizing him by the middle of the body which
was at once inclosed and crushed in his capa-
cous jaws, swan into the lake. His friends
FASTENED to the rescue, but the alligator slowly
left the shore, while the poor wretch, writhing
and shrieking in agony, with his knife uplifted
in his clasped hands, seemed, MS the others eX-
pressed it, held out as a man would carry a torch
His sufferings were not long continued, for the
monster sank to the bottom, and soon after re-
appearing alone on the surface, and basking in
the sun, gave to the horrorstricken spectators
the fullest confirmation of the death and burial
of their cOmrade.
A short time after this event made visit to
Halahala, and expressing n strong desire to cap
ture or destroy the alligator, my host readily Of
fered his assistance. The animal had been seen
few days BEFORE with his head and one of his
fore feet, resting on the bank, and his eyes fol-
lowing the motions of some cows which were
grazing near. Our informer likened his appear
ance to that Of cat watching mouse, and in
the attitude to spring upon his prey when it
should come within his reach. may here men,
ton as curious fact, the domestic buffalo, (which
is almost continually in the waters ,and in the heat
Of day remains for hours with only his nose
above the surface, is never molested by the ALI
gator All other animals. become his victims
when they incautiously approach him, and their
knowledge of the danger most usually prompts
them to resort to shallow places to quench their
thirst.
Having heard that the alligator had killed a
horse, we proceeded to the place, about five
miles from the house; it was tranquil spot,
and one of singular beanty even in that land
The stream, which few hundred feet from the
lake narrowed to brook, with its green bank
frnged with the graceful bamboo, and the alter
nate glory of glade and forest spreading far and
wide, seemed fitted for other purposes than the
familiar haunt of the huge creature that had ap-
propriated it to himself A few cane huts were
situated at a short distance from the river, and
we procured from them what men they contain
ed who were ready to assist in freeing them
selves from their dangerous neighbor. The ter
ror which he had inspired, especially since Che
death of their companion, had hitherto prevented
them from making an effort to get rid of him,
but they gladly availed themselves of our prep
arations, and with the usual dependence of their
character were willing to do whatever example
should dictate to them. Having reason to be-
lieve tina. the alligator was in the river we CON-
menced operations by sinking nets upright
across its mouth, three Deep ct intervals of sew
eral feet The nets which were of great strength
and intended for the capture of the buffalo were
fastened to trees on the banks, making CON-
plete fence to the communication with the lake.
My companion and myself placed ourselves
with our guns on either side OF the stream,
while the Indians with long bamboos felt for the
animal. For some time he refused to be distur-
bed, and we began to fear that he was not with