The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-10-11
TWO PLUCKY GIRLS,

Vida and Josie Bryan, the two twin
dau9hters of G. II. Bryan, one Of the |
Oldest settlers in this section, who lives
about two miles north of this station, |
says letter from Pemberton F-rry, Fla, |
to the Globe Dem crat, are just now the |
hcroines of this place. These are two
girls, or young ladies rather, as they are
lust beyond 'swcct SIXTEEN" are bonny,
Luxom lasses, and as we'll acquainted
with the country as the best hunter IN
it. They, too, are excellent shots, and
for hunting their record IS something
that Mr.. Bryan often boasts of. The
girls take quiet hunt very often,
either on the river or in the high ham
mocks so numerous around here, and
they put to shame many of the Nimrods
or hunters by the f,h and game that
! they bring il.
Just now the most exciting topic is
stirring adventure which the girls had
the ether day, and in which they came
off victorious, displaying great pluck
and bravery.
Friday last the two girls concluded to
take days huat in the Great Auran-
tula Hammock, the upper edge OF which
touches the river some miles below here.
Starting out early they made good pre-
grcss, and by O clock were in the midst
OF the wild hammock. During the fore
noon they had luck-kiIling deer, a
wildcat, ten big gray squirrels, and sew
eral enormous snakes. After taking q
MONDAY lunch they decided to cross
over Ali 5ator Creek, wide but shall
low stream that crosses the hammock,
cmptying into the Withlacoochoc.
Just before reaching the creek they
-ad to pass through a dense cane brake
lor several rods. When ab7ut half way
tnroush, one of their dogs that had lin
l-oroI behind, came rushing up, yeIpioe
Justify. while close On his heels was ;
big black bear, fierce and ugly as /
could be. The path was so narrow tina
they had no chance to fight the animal
) and, in fact, the dog and bear came il
on them so su ldenly that little tim
was allowed for rehe ction. Miss JOSH
n slung her rifle around and fired at tn
beast, Lut in the confusion only wound
. ed him., The girls then ran abe ad, IN
tending to get cut onto the open ban
, by the waters edge so as to get fai
! ground to battle old b1uin. But tn
infuriated animal, aroused to madnes
" by the rifle ball, pursued them so close
= ly that only scientific dodging save
them fir ON close hug. Emerging fro
the path they noticed the du ,out use
S to cross the creek lying right in frol
OF them, aud both of the girls, struc
ID with the same idea, sprang into tn
boat, their impetus carrying it out int
the creek. The dog VS. unable to &C
into the boat, lut he bit at BRUINS hee
SO sharply that the latter had to st'
- his pursuit of the girls and cndcavor
, punish his four-footcd assailant. B
the dog was too wary, and kept out
! his reach; the girls called him, an
i plunging in, he swan out to them.
Meanwhile tho hungry denizens
~, tho creek, whose numbers gave it
name, were awakened by the tumu
and they began to show themselves.
the dog jumped in. the splash attract
scores of the ugly reptiles from all
1ections, and the water was dotted
- the black snouts of the hungry cato
90 The girls noticed this, and called
couragingly to their dog, who seen
to be fully aware of his danger. S
eral black roses were already poin
- in his direction, and it looked as if
th9 5aIt gators might get a meal. Bat Wi
On; seized the pole lying in the bottom
sH the canoe, and, by skiIlful push, S
,1ss ss the boat close to the dog. Josie
cist waiting, and as the dog swan up
,n1 helped him Chamber over the side,
/ in most upsctting the frail vessel. Ar
I'd was Just IN timo, toe, for just as
'l1' dogs legs slipped out of the wat
huge pair of jaws rose out Of the del
- with an omln Gus snap. WIN Sc
'i fni the disappointed saurian sunk.
"',.I While this was going on bruin st
aus on the bank growing and snariin
it's impotcnt rage at the dog and girls
,Ingg escaping. Seeing the dog in the ca
cry seemed to render him still more furi
o,1% 10 and, with deep growl, he das
inc. into the water AMI began swimming
T. ward the boat. B tween the bear and
Is Of gators the girls began to thiak
N mar, T. hands would be full. Wilda pickc'
;his ;tdss her gun and male a snap shot at
Give, animal, Tut movement Of the dog
ards ards con certcd her aim, and the load o. b
'aPi, ipo shot fl.w to one side, only small I
| Der striking the bear. But they "ng
J.