Morning journal and courier., 1888-09-10

You wait till get that keg father left at | Uncle Jim's we'll make float of it." | Uncle Jim's cabin was just over the hill, l and Rob was back with the keg in ten min | utes, He had driven four nails in the sides, and soon had the rope around it and secure from dipping.
 "You aes," he explained, eff he gets into the water, he can't pull this under for long, and we can follow him"
 The boys now cut the cords on the pigs feet, released his nose, and lay down in the grass, Rob having charge of the rope. The pig proved hiEaself splendid squsaler, and the boys thought it would not be long be- fore the denizens of the lake would be st- tractad. The sun was just getting over the hill when they had the first evidence that their plan was working. The water rippled thir- ' ty yards frem shore, and without sound long black head with protuding eyes ap- peared.
 The pig continued to squea1. Then the I gator paused; but there was no sign of an | enemy. He reached the doping bank, and ! drew himself upon it; then, excited by the legs, made a run, and stopped within three feet of the struggling animal. His heavy K tail moved lightly from side to side; the water glistened on the scales of his hideous body.
 s'Nowl now" whispered Morgan The alligator heard him, aud slightly ' turned. It was too late The moose that \ had been suspended in the air descended quickly yand surely, and settled over his \ head. "Pun, Morgl" shouted Rob; itsspull, qzioklp P and, seizing the rope, he threw his weight upon it; the knot ran up and closed on the | eptile's neck. Until then he had hardly \ seemed to realize his position; but now he turned and scuttled toward the lake. Brought up by the weight of the boys, he paused moment, then with 8 thrash of his mighty tail made desperate scram- ble for liberty. We'll it was they had \ not depended on their strength to hold
 him; his tail struck the taut rops and tore { it from their hands, and the next moment ! their captive had regained his native ele- raenf.
 But he was not yet free; the keg foated buoyantly, and the boys hastened to the beat to follow 1t. This was easy, for though { in the deepest water the alligator could draw the keg under, he was unable to keep it there, they soon came up with it and fast ened the rope to ring in the stern of the boat.
 ! Now began struggle. With each a pad ale. Rob and Morgan endeavered to urge the boat toward the part of the shore where their prisoner could be secured to tree, while the X latter as strenuously resisted. The alligator s had rather the best of it, and there is no tel | ling what would have been the result had he | not lost his temper; but the continual jerking \ en the rope about his neck was to much for | him, and, rising to the surface, he made e \ rush for his tormentors. Releived of his resistance, the boat shot forward, and the boys, at first little frightened at their antag- \ onist's change of demeanor, now saw a means ! to accomplish their purpose by stratagem. I Morg knelt in the stern and leased the alli- N 4ol- O-I- 1-1 IL paddle. Again and again the huge reptile ' dashed forward in an endeavor to close his ! jaws upon something tangible, but each time | the object eluded him.
 | Finally they reached the shore. Rob sprang out and secured the painter to tree. He turned just in time to see the alligator ! close his great jaws upon the stern of the boat, compelling Morg to beat precipitate h retreat. But the latter soon regained his feet, and began to rain blows upon the ssura ' ianis bony nose. This treatment, combined 5 with realization of his danger, induced him to release his hold, and he suIlenly sank be- H meath the water.
 The rope was now unfastened from the ring, carried ashore, and tied about the
 tree. The boys gave several pulls upon it I but finding themselves unable to move ths
 levisthan at the other end, gave up that method.
 I s'Morg," said Rob, "you stay and see tha
 he doesn't get the rope of, and I'll go hom ! and get father to let me have the ox-cart | I'll bring some plank or something to leal up st the tail of the cart, and then we car
 hitch the oxen to the rope and snake him 1T
 as easy"
 This brilliant idea w@ executed. The cart being backed to within proper distance
 of the water, and the wheels securely
 "chocked" to keep it from rolling back.
 ward, an old door wes laid as an inclined
 plane from the rear end to the ground. Ther
 the rope was removed from the tree, carried
 over the cart, and attached to the yoke of the
 steers. At the word they moved forward and in spite of his struggles the alligator was
 soon brought to the shore. But fearing
 their rope was not strong enough to drag
 him bodily over the ground, the boys eus- pended operations until thicker one could
 be had; this was slipped over the prisoners
 head and worked down to position back of his forelegs. Then the oxen were started
 again, and amid shouts of excitement from
 his captors and many frantic lashings of his
 tail, the gator was hauled up the door and into the cart. He was so long that his tai
 huna out at least two feet. The boys drew
 the ropes tight and fastened them to the
 front of the wagon, and the procession
 moved toward the house, not forgetting ths
 pig.
 The same afternoon the alligator wa.
 hauled to town and delivered to his purchaser who gravely measured him with yardstick
 and finding him exactly eight feet and ont
 inch long, paid over the $20 without a mur.
 mur.