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

pole, soon placed the boat rod ahcad
of the pursuing animal Josie had
again reloaded her qua, and she turned
to deliver his quiotus to the animal. {
But the commotion in the water and the
bears evident disquictude put a ne"
face on matters, and she withheld her
fire. The dogs yclping and the bears
growing had eyidcatIy awakened the
scalv deaiz3ns Of the creek to reahz-
ino sense that it was meal time. MISS
ing tho dog, they were not adverse to
bear meat. Bruin IN his hurry to catch
his first prey had paid little attention to
what might befalI him in the creek.
But now he began to notice the lncreas-
ing number OF black spots Oh the
water. all turning toward him, and
probably instinct told him that hungry !
'qators in their own element, were Zoe
not to be despised. With an uneasy |
whine he attempted to turn and regain
the shore, but now it was too late.
With a rush big black form was seen
to dart up against him and In second
he was seized and dragged under. Inc
old fellow was game, however, and now
| that he had gotten in the fight he
proved no mean Antagonist. With an
immense effort he plunged away from
the attacking gators and dashed Tor
ward for tho shore. The water shoaled.
and it seemed as if he would escape.
bio bull saurian dashed forward and
seized the bear by one of his hind legs,
while two others swan behind him to
cut off his retreat. With a deep roar
Of rare the bear turned on the one that
had seized him, and with one stroke Of
his paw cawed out the gators eyes.
The latter beloved with pain, and,
thrashing the water madly, plunged
forward at bruia. Other gators joined
in. and the poor animal was beset on all
sides. Sitting on its launches, with the
blood flowing from a gaping wound on
| its hind leg, the bear snapped, clawed,
and bit at his savage antagonists; ;
but they were too many Tor
him. Another seized ono OF
= his legs in its powerful
Jaws and with strong effort drew the
= bear off into deeper water; ;others dashed
at him from ali sides. swapping at him
5 from every point. The water splashed
hich and was churn ed into snowy
, whitcness by the furious efforts of the
fighters, save where the red blood tole
J the tale. But few moments longe
C did the unequal struggle last. Brui'
y strovc to regain his feet but tho crueI
= i,ws of the reptiles seized on his legs
g sides, and wherever hold could b
a secured. and with one mighty, agoniz
it ing rear the bear disappeared, ,whil'
1t the furious struggle continued unde
|, water for several seconds. Bits OF tles
N and the blood dyed waters, however
lo pointed to the bear fate, and the ny
lie cnas of the water fought among them
lo selves for the morsels OF meat.
/ The girls had gazed on the fight spell
a. bound, but now they were rudel
TX aroused to their own peril. The GO
.r had barl1cd loudly during the savae
ne fioht going on SC near, and the 'gato
ss who missed bear meat seemed to
e after dogs flesh. The canoe rockeC
ed almost overturninr, and the startlc
IN Girls saw a monstrous pair of open jay
ed rioht at the side Of their small Graf
mt Josie pushed her rifle barrel in Il
elk gators mouth and pulled the t1lGge
he sending bullet where it evident
to didn't agree, Judging from the reptile
ct sudden sinking and thrashing about.
lis moment later ahuge tail came flying ov
op the bow Of the boat, and striking t
to dor. who stood there barking, knock
But him into the water. A big pair of Wi
Of omen Jaws was Just about to close
i'd, the tempting mOrsel when vii
stopped down and, catching t
of dogs foreraws, by sudden eff
its drew him into the boat, the sauria
l!t, laws closing with a snap that indlcat
AS a great disappointment. The dog co
ted cred down on the bottom Of the b
di- while the girls attended to the oil
by gators who seemed to manifest an
ors. ciination to get into the canoe. Sevc
ec- shots were fred at the scaly reptlI
ned but their taste of blood had made tn
v fearless. A scream from Josie arou
ted Vida, who was striving to pole
the boat ashore. Turning around, she s
Ida her sister half dgawn out of the can
II of big monster gator having seized
sent dress. Josie was beating the 'g'
was over the nose with her rifle with
she hand, while with the other she endc
al ored to hold herself in the boat. v
id 1t out a moments hesitation Vida raj
the the long pole she was using, and, P
ter a ing it a moment, threw it at the 'gat
pths head BY rare good fortune it str
ouse him in the eye and penetrated to
brain. With loud below the rel
TODD sunk.
,r in For the next few minutes the b
thus girls had all they could do-onc fl
aaoe at the sauriaas as they approached
ious closely, while the other, using
shed brccch of her gun as paddle, I'll
, TO- the canoe on shore. As it touched