Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-04-19
A Mississippi Pilots Story.
SOME FACTS ABOUT ALLIGATORS AS
THEY WERE IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
Vicksburg Herald.

The passenger, VINO was going
down the big river for the first time
in his life, secured permission to
climb up beside the pilot, grim old
grayback, who never told a lie in his
life.
"Many alligators in the river ?"
inquired the stranger, after look
around.
mot 80 many now, since they got
to shootin' 'em for their hides and
taller" was the reply.
used to be lots, eh?"
81 don't want to tell you about
'em, stranger, replied the pilot,
signing heavily.
"Why?"
Cause you'd think I was a-lyin'
to you, and that's sumthin' I never
do. l can cheat at keerds, drink
whisky, or chaw poor terbacker, but
l can't lie.
"Then there used to be lots Of 'em
inquired the passenger.
"I'm most afraid to tell we, mister,
but I've counted 'leven hundred al
lygators to the mile from Vicksburg
cl'ar down to New Orleans. That
was years ago, afore a shot was ever
! fired at 'em."
"Well, l don't doubt it," replied
the stranger.
sand I've counted 3,45O of 'em on
one sand bar" continued the pilot.
"It looks big to tell, but a govern
mont surveyor was aboard, and he
checked 'eni of as l called out"
II haven't the least doubt of it, >
said the passenger, rs he heaved q
sigh.
"I'm glad O. that, stranger. Some
fellers would think I'm a liar, when
I'm telling the solemn truth. This
used to be paradise for alligators
and they were SO thick that the
wheels of the boat killed an average
of forty-nine to the mile!"
us that SO 2"
"I'rue rs Gospel, mister. l used
to almost feel sorry for the cussed
brutes, cause they'd cry out e'er
most like a human being. We kill
ed lots of 'em, as I said, and w
hurt q pile more. I sailed with ont
captain who allus carried a Thousand
bottles of liniment to throw over tn,
wounded onesi"
Gle did,"
"rrue as you live, he did. / dom
'spect I'll ever see another such {
kind, Christian man. And the ALI
gators got to know the Nancy Jane
and to know Capt. Tom, and they't
swim out and rub their tails agin tn
boat an purr like cats, an look Vi
and try to smilel''
"They would?"
"Solemn truth, stranger! AM
once when we grounded on q bal
with an opposition boat right be
} hind, the alligators gathered around
got under her stern, and jumped he
! clean over the bar by grand push
} It looks like q big story, but I neve
told a lie yet, and ! never shall;
wouldn't lie for all the money yo
could put aboard this boat"
There was painful pause, an
after q while the pilot continued:
"Our ingines gin out once, ant
q crowd of alligators took . tow lin
. and hauled us forty-five miles u
/ stream to vicksburg."
"They did,"
"And when the news got along th
river that Capt Tom was dead, .,
: cry alligator on the river danbe'
J his left ear with mud a. 3 badge /
mournin, and lots Of 'em pinned an
died"
The passenger left the pilot houa
with the remark that he didn't tloui
. the statement, and the old man ~
! the wheel : turn, and replied:
1Thar's ono thing I won't do 4
love Or money, and that's make
liar Of myself. / was brung Up b
10 good mother, and I'll stick % q
]. truth if nh boat dont make ! cent