The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-02-08
An Alligator Hunt.

OAu"1'o 'o"OC oi cpiTfIs, WHICH eFeTDOQy seems
to inhale with the balmy air of the j." land
of flowers"
ms company was composed of many
different elements; but as they were brought
together by the same motive, rest and re
cuperation, you could hardly discover that
they were not OF equally happy dispositions.
The invalid was happy. because he knew it
was necessary to renewal of his health
the pleasure-seeker was happy, for he had
nothing to make him otherwise
There were twelve Of us an equal num-
ber OF ladies' and gentleman, yonng and old.
While we were thus lounging and chat
ting, Mr. b., the eldest of the group. though
the youngest in vivacity, stepped forward
and said al don't know as nv propsition
will suit but was reminded by the heat of
the sun, on the east side of the piazza. that
this is just the day to 'slay aligators. That
Indian River hunter, who was here yes-
terday, said that the time to hunt 'gators.
was on right smart hot day. along any of
the creeks in Florida and learned from
MIN that the little steamer we see moored
on the other side of the wharf there, can be
chartered for shooting excursions up the
creeks in this vicinity. Now | vote that
we secure her for to-day take our present
number, which is as good company as we
can get together, and go for a sail and a
shot at the reptiles. The ladies'. | am sure,
would be well entertained; the scenery up
those creeks is exquisite; there is not the
least danger sailing such day as this, and
even the most disposed to sea-sickness could
not possibly get up sick on such calm wa
ter. And, ladies'" he continued. "when
you behold the natural beauties of the place.
you will be amply repaid for any timidity
you may experience, embarking on the little
craft. There's the mouth of the creek over
yonder, right between those two large pal
mettos, that we see directly across the river
Now is the accepted time; everything
propltious just the day for alligators what
say you, shall we go?''
"Oh yes, that will be gorgeous. Let's
60 alligator shooting said the sprightly
Miss S., as she rose from her seat with a
jump. ,..r-t-, ....-
None for me, thank you," remarked
the mother of the young lady. II shall not
risk what's left of me Mrs S. was not
corpulent-"in in an egg-shell like that, among
a whole family Of those horrid creatures. )"
Some approved, Others disapproved the
project but goodly number were for 60
ing, and accordingly we began making prep
arations. The, gentlemen hurried for their
guns, the ladies for their broad -brimmed
hats and lunch baskets, while Mr.. b. and
myself engaged the services of the captain
of the little steamer. Through our eager
ness for the little i" fray we were very ex-
pedtious, and it was hardly an hour before
we were embarked on the Curlew," and
casting of. The g Curew was cosy little
boat about so feet in length, and drew two
feet OF water. She had but two rooms. a
cabin and an engine room, the wheel being
entirely unhoused. She was propeller,
and could make about six miles an hour.
The deck was quite low. She seemed pc
culiarly adapted for hunting. The Cap"
genial native, and two stalwart darkeys 4"
composed the crew. @
Alter delightful sail of an hour, over
the rippling waters of that beautiful river,
we arrived ut the mouth of"' Gator Creek.
The inevitable, oh how lovely," came
from the ladies as we plowed through the
tall reeds at the entrance, and came sudden
ly on view Of fairy-lke grandeur. A calm
stretch of water enviroued by tall oaks, that
bearded with moss. and in garments gray
overhung and were mirrored in the CLASSY
surface, and studded with the peeping heads
OF bonnets, among which, basking in the
sun, foated several of the objects of our vis-
it; their dark heads presenting the appear
ance Of water-soaked logs. Our enchant-
ment was broken by the sharp crack of a
rifle, a loud splash, and the quiet remark of
the Cap in his native dialect: :" reckon
he's done fur" We were quickly awakened
to realization of what we were there for.
and were now on the alert with cooked guns
and straining eyes, to "let drive" at any
thing that looked like an alligator.
Jake said the 4" Cap" to one of his
men, F" cast off the punt and fetch the crit
ter aboard, thet is, eff the ladies and gents
would like to see him.
Yes" was the unanimous response
"bring him on board we want to take all
we shoot back to the hotel, and make a
show"
Jake accordingly launched the skiff and
pushed of in the direction of the troubled
water, which had been dashed into a foam
by the reptiles muscular tail, taking with
him long sharp boat hook and piece of
stout rope. When he arrived at that place
where he supposed the "varmint to have
sunk, he commenced feeling about on the
bottom on the creek. After few moments
sounding. he indicated by his manuevers
that he had found him. The pole was
raised and plunged into the water. a muscu-
lar effort of the strong back of the negro. a
hand over hand movement on the pole, and
a black mass appeared above the surface.
The dai key then bent over the gunwale. ar
fixed moose around the the body, and ty-
ing it to the stern of the boat towed it to
the steamer We were watching and wait