The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-03-19
AN EXCITING SCENE.
An Elephant and Two Camels Attacked
by Aligators in Florida Swamp.
Terrific: Battle and Death of One Camel,
Two Dogs, and "a Colt.

Two Dogs, and IA Colt.
Florida Correspondence of Fort Gaines Mirror
The perlgrlnations Of showmen are beset with
numerous difficulties while pursuing their dailv
avocations In this our sou hern country, which
with the usual winter rains, heavy roads and
fording OF streams makes it very difficult for the
manager 10 make good the promises Of the agents.
such was the case with John Robinson's circus
and menagerie a few days since. While peg.
forming in Tallahassee, Florida, it was mel toned
10 Mr. >. r. Robinson, jr., that he might expect
some difficulty Ill passing through long and
dismal swamp between that place ana Quincy,
on account OF the large number of aligators that
infested the ford at this particular locality, and
who are at this season of the year very ferocious
and on the watch for any unfortunate mule or
morse that may become entangled in the numer-
Gus roots, qucksands and holes, which abound
at the ford but he replied, as the agent had al.
ready made the arrangements for him to go
through, and it was not his nature to turn back,
he had nothing left but to follow, trusting to his
previous good fortune in getting thus far The
result of his decision, although anticipatinp
some difficulty, was far more serious than antici-
pated.
At o'clock p. NJ, on Tuesday, Jan. &c, Prof.
Lewis Houston. who has charge Of the animals,
started with the elephant Empress, the large
Bactrian camel the beautiful Arabian white
camel, fine thoroughbred mare and colt, and
two spotted coach dogs, to make the trip to
Quincy, although repeatedly warned by Mr.. J.
+. Robinson, Jr, not to attempt the passage of
the swamp in any other than daylight. He how
ever, went through Before approaching the
ford an occasional below or roar was heard be.
tokeniag that the inhabitants of the locality had
not retired for the night, and sudden plunge
and splash in the water would denote that the
am thx \
phant would, every few steps, throw her trunk
aiof., emitting at the same time loud screech
OF defiance, the camels ut,ering low means,
while the horses almost refused to stir and stood
trembling with fear while the dogs kept up an
incessant bowling. Approaching the water of
tie ford, Houston determined upon the imme.
iiate passage through before the alligators had
time to summon their crew.
Bidding the elephant enter, she stepped boldly
in, at the same time flashing the water furiously
with her trunk, the camels horses and dogs fol-
lowing close in the rear. He had passed two
thirds Of the way, when a sharp yelp of pain
from one of the dogs and his sudden disappear
ance. denoted that the swamp fiends were at
work, and before he could collect his thoughts
the other dog went under with long death
howl. He Tow began to think of his own safe
ty, and calling to the elephant, commanded her
to turn, as she did. Soon fearful roar was heard
from large Bactrlan camel, which at that in
slant had been attacked The water seemed
alive with alhs ators. The roaring, believing
and screeching of the elephant, caIneis and ALI
gators were terrible. They would throw their
ponderous jaws open and tear huge pieces of
flesh from the camel, while the poor brute would
utter heart--ending groans and cries for relief
In the meantime the elephant was not idle. Ev-
or solictons tor 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 greatest furore among her asssil.
ant', succeeded in bringing the head of the cam.
ell to the shore, that portion being all that re-
manned of the poor animal.
In the confusion that ensued, Houston did not
miss the colt until warned by the shrill scream
or neigh, which seemed to come from several
rods below. Upon rushing down the stream u
lew yards terrible scene was presented TO his
view. 1t would seem that the denizens of Chat.
tahoochee swamp for miles around had become
cognizant of some extra attraction at that par.
ticular point on this night, and had started for
the rendezvous, and upon reaching the scene of
action had UNEXPECTEDLY encountered both food
and opposition al the same time-for, simulta.
neous with the. meeting of the colt they met
their pursuers, and an awful battle ensued
Several times it seemed as If the colt would es-
cape and regain the shore, so busy were the ALI.
gators in destroying each other; but Just before
the poor creature would reach the land, some
monster, more ravenous than he war brave,
would leave the melee, pursue and drag lit back
into deep water, until finally it became exhaust.
ed and tell an easy prey to the fearful reptiles,
while Prof. Houston stood looking on with
banched and terrified looks, wholly unable to
render the least assistance threatened with ter.
rlble death should he even attempt it, As he
turned to retrace his steps toward the place
where lac left the remaining animals no counted
the cost lie had made the passage, but at q
terrible sacrifice. lie came out with an ele-
plant one camel and one horse. The camel was
valued at $4,000, and very rare. The colt Mr..
Robinson had repeatedly refused $1,000 for. 1t
will be many long year before Mr.. Houston
Will forget the horrors of passing through u
Florida swamp at night.