The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1884-03-23
Alligator Brigade.

The fishing and hunting at Manfeld's
landing are good and the boat remained
till II a. m. to have a chance at the game
and fish. The wind was to strong for
much success, but sufficient was obtained
for our wants. Lake Harvey showed
white caps, but the wind being in our
favor good time was made to Cooks
landing, then down the river to Sanford.
PefOre arriving at Sanford the crucial
test Of eating an alligator steak was
made. Attempts had been uuade to bring
on this test, but Mr. Welch objected to
the alligators shot as being too large and
the steaks too tough, but in spite of all
objections and procrastinating it had to
| be done. 1t was brought on the table
and looked much like fried bass. The
writer tackled it manfully and cleared
his plate. Commodore Root did likewise.
DR.. Buckley shifted daintily and ex-
amined it very carefully and finally made
the fatal plunge. Col. Welch was the
! most reluctant t, but after mature delib-
Grafton and a strong effort of will he
swallowed a mOuthful and became duly
installed member of the Alligator Brig
ade. 1t may seem an easy matter to eat
alligator, but about the time the piece is
/ laid on the plate your thoughts will wan
derssto the reptile in all its Shiny, crawl
/ ing hideousness, and the very thought is
repulsive. Iu taste, it much resembles
the black bass, a little drier and a slight
| degree stronger; in fact, if it We're placed
! on the table as fish but few could detect
| it. Thursday morning we moved off for
| Palatka, getting but little game or fish
on the way down. To briefly summarize
| the results Of the trip, fourteen alligators
were secured, ranging in length from
| four to ten feet; herons, culews, bitterns,
/ limpllins, water turkey, ducks, ibis,
hawks, soft-shelIed turtle and so-forth in
| large quantities; black bass, goggle-eyed
/ perch, Dream, garfsh ad Iibitum, but
! only enough were caught t. supply the
| boat In addition to the above supply
of good health and pure fresh air has
been laid away by the party for future
use Appetites increased at least one
hundred per cent, while the advoirdupois
is beyond my power to compute. A most
| pleasant journey was had and thorough
ly enjoyed.
A more congenial party seldom meet
together, and not one single word or act
occurred to mar the harmony Of the jour
ney. To particularize the peculjaritie8
Of DIR. Buckley, who was the very life OF
the party, the excellent shooting of Com
modore Root, or the pleasantries of Col.
Welch would prolOng their hurried lives
to an unreasonable length. 1t was sim
ply trip to remember for a lifetime,
and pleasant memory to be recalled in
widely separated home, and amidst many
varied scenes of life.
Before concluding, as the boat neared
Palatka, Captain W. II. Mcintyre was
called into the cabin, and the following
explains the purpose:
Captain w H. Mcintyre, steamer Marion:
DEAR SIR: We cannot part from you
without expressing our appreciation of
the Jealous manner in which you have
contributed to the pleasant voyage now
drawing to a close, and to further thank
you for the very mastery manner in
which you have handled your vessel un-
der difficulties. Apart from your posi-
ton as chief officer, we cheerfully bear
testimony to your kind attentions and
gentlemanly conduct Should we again
endeavor to reach Lake Washington we
trust that we may be fortunate enough
to secure you as commander. Again
thanking you most sincerely and cordi-
ally.