The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-01-27
WITH ALLIGATORS

the porch of John Pierce's hospifab'e
though modest log house at Fort Bassin-
ger. listening to tales of wild frontier
life told by my host and his stalwart
west bank of the kissimmee River, il
South Florida, and is, in that direction,
the most advanced outpost of civilza
ton. there being no settlers between it
and the dread Okeechobee fifty miles to
the south, and but half Il dozen along
the whole course of the kissimmee river.
two hundred and fifty miles to the north.
1t is now fort only in name, though
during the Seminole war it was the site
of permanent encampment of troops.
At present Font passenger consists of
the log dwelling hnnse and out buildings
owned by John Pierce. a cattle man.
whose wealth lies IN the hel;!s which
roam the bro d pry.igieS of South Florida.
Suddenly, as we talked, the light of a
camp fire steamed across The waters of
the river quarter of a mile below the
house. and curiosity impellcd us to visit
the newcomers and inquire concerning
them On reaching the fire we found
but one man stretched at length beside
it, and patiently watching the roasting
of Il wild turkey that he had shot some
hours before. He was Frank Lefils, the
best known and most successful alligator
hunter aud guide of South Florida. For
nearly twelve years he has made this
Flolidiaa wilderness his home, and is
intimately a.quaintt with its most hid
den secrets. Clad in hunters garb, and
with hair and beard tawny as lion S
m,ne. and uncut during his years of So
journ in the wilderness. his personal APP
pearance was as picturesque as it was re-
variable
lie WAS bound for the vicinity of Lake
0keechobee. on an alligator hunt. and
readily consented that should accomp-
any Him and share his laborS though he
waln,d me that tie trip would be az
duous, aud not devoid of danger.
We started at daybreak next morning
the hunter in "A stanch cypress skifl, and
III the LIGHT cedar canoe in which | was
exploring those southern wilds. All day
long We gliGrti down the swift-howing
crooked river. Though its monotonous
samencsS of wide spread swamps and la
.ucrS of back watel--" dead rivers. v
hey are callea-!illeG with water-lettuce.
npnntts. ilayS. and terrible razor tdg d
$ v-1rass. but seeing no trace of human.
,,cupacy, not even the palm thatc hed hu
i the wandering Seminole. About nv,
o'clock in the Afternoon. or IAN hour BY
sun in TIE evening" as tie crackers ex
reSS it. We reached a small hammock of
:tbbaye palms, which We decided t,
make our camping place and the base o
,ur future operations.
After unloading eur boats made the
Office boiled the h"miny. and fried the
tracon and dlied venson. which formed
our staples of food. over a fire of cab
| bdge roots or dry leaf stalks from tn.
palm trees, while LetilS erected the
mosquito canopies, each supported b,
tour stout stakes. and prepared our beds
If palm leaves. These mosquito can"
res are Indispensable in South Florida.
ND form portion of the outfit Of ever,
raveller. They are made of cheese
10th, are generally six feet long, foul
vide. and three IN height, so that in re
aity they are airy little tents, and afford
excellent protection against the heavy
night dews as well as against mosquitoes.
After supper. with pipes alight, and
stretched at ease on our blankets. with
the fire blazing brightly between us.
I.efilS and exchanged anecdotes of hunt
ing adventures. and from him | learned
had been taught by an experience OF
months Of hunting in Floridian wilds.
shall never forget one Of the stories he
tolt! me that night. 1t was of the tragic
death Of an acquaintance Of his, named
q =. on the upper Snwanee River.
Told with dramatic force by the hunter,
with the necessary surroundings of that
camp. and the bellowings of the great
bull alligatofs sounding in our cas-, it was
absolutely blood-curdling.