Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-03-22
Fording a Florida Alligator Swamp

f0rdlng a Florlda Alligator swamp |
While performing in Tallahassee,
Fla, it was mentioned to Mr.. j. f. !
Robinson, Jr. proprietor Of the Rob
inson Circus and Menagerie, that he
might expect some difficulty in pass
ing through long and dismal swamp
between that place and Quincy, on
account of the large number of alliga-
tors which infested the ford at this
particular locality, and who are at this
season of the year very ferocious but
as arrangements had already been
made for the passage, he determined
to go through. On the afternoon,
therefore, of Tuesday, Jan. 25th, Prot.
Lewis Houston, who has charge of the
animals, started with the elephant
Empress, the large Bactrian camel, the
Arabian white camel, fine thorough
bred mare and colt, and two spotted
coach dogs, to make the trip to Quincy,
although warned not to attempt the
passage ofthe swamp in other than
daylight. Before approaching the
ford, an occasional below or roar was
heard, betokening that the inhabi
tants of the locality had not retired
for the night, and a plash in the water
would denote that the enemy was on
the alert for mischief. The elephant
would every few steps throw her trunk
aloft, emitting at the same time a
loud screech of defiance, the camelS
uttering low means, while the horses
almost refused to stir, while the dogs
kept up an inceSsant bowling. Ap-
preaching the water Of the ford, HouS-
ton determined upon the immediate
passage through before the alligator8
had time to summon their crew.
Bidding the elephant enter, she
stepped boldly in. at the same time
lashing the water furiously with her
trunk, the camels, horses, and dogs
following close in the rear. He had
passed two-third5 of the waY when a
sharp yeip from one of the dogs and
his sudden disappearance, denoted
that the swamp fendS were at work,
and before he could collect his thoughts
the other dog went under with long
death howl. He now began to think
of his own safety, and calling the ele-
phant commanded her to turn, as she
did. Soon a fearful roar was heard
from the large Bactrian camel whc
had at that instant been attacked
The water seemed alive with alliga
tors. The roaring, believing, ant
screechiug of elephant, camels, ano
alligators were terrific. They would
throw their ponderous jaws open and
tear huge pieces Of flesh from the cam
ell, while the poor brute would utter
heart-rending groans and cries for re-
lief. In the meantime the elephant
was not idle. Ever solicitouS for the
welfare of her keeper and companions,
/ she had, at the moment of seeing them
safely landed upon the opposite shore,
rushed back to the assistance of her
friend, the camel, who by this time was
nearly gone, and by creating the great
est furore among her asSailants, sue
ceeded in bringing the head of the
camel to the shore, that portion be.
ing all that remained of the poor AMI
NAL.
In the confusion that ensued, HOuS,
ton did not miss the colt until warned
by shriIl scream or neigh, which
seemed to come from several rods be-
low. Upon rushing down the stream
a few yards a terrible scene was pre-
sented to bis view. 1t would seem
that the denizens of ChattahoOchee
Swamp for miles around had become
cognizant of some extra attraction at
that particular point on this, and had
started for the rendezvous, and upon
reaching the scene of action, had un-
expectedlg encountered both food and
opposition at the same time-fOr,
simultaneous with the meeting of the
colt they met their pursuers, and an
awful battle ensued. Several times
| it seemed as if the colt would escape
and regain the shore, so busy were
the alligators in destroying each other
but Just before the poor creature would
reach the land, some monster, more
ravenous than brave, would leave the
melee, pursue and drag it back into
deep water, until it finally became ex
hausted and fell an easy prey to the
fearful reptiles. Meanwhile Houston
stood looking on, utterly unable tC
render any assistance. As he turned
to retrace his steps toward the place
where he left the remaining animals
he counted the rest. He had started
with an elephant, two camels, tive
: dogs, and two horses. He came ou
with an elephant, one camel, and ont
horse. The camel was valued at S5,
900, and very rare. The colt, Mr.
Robinson had repeatedly refused 81,
900 for.-Fort Games Mirror.