The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-14
STRUGGLING WITH A GATOR.
A Saurian's Desperate Battle with
Two SportSmen.

From the SylUaniG (GG) Telephone.
A Sylvania fisherman tells of an adven-
ture he once had near that place, as follows:
"Well, we were in high spirits, and the
more we fished the more fascinating be-
came the sport, and there is no telling how
long we would have continued had not a
little difficulty occurred over which we had
no control. We were fondly thinking of
how we would enjoy the numerous fries
aud stews when we went home, when a
slashing noise in the water behind us
startled us and caused us to look
around. An alligator of enormous
size was quickly approaching us. with
head a little above water, and from the
very expression Of his eyes we OWNED that
lie meant no good 1t is said that a large
alligator will make fight at one person in
certain seasons and when they are hungry,
but that they seldom ever. dare to tackle
party of more than one unless they are
forced to do it in self defense. However,
this was an exception. He did not have
hoisted flag of truce nor did he display
the pipe of peace, but came at us meaning to
compel us to go or stand the consequences.
We did not care to argue the right OF posses
sion to the log, and attempted to crawl out
and leave his gatorship in his glory, but he
did not seem to approve of our unceremo-
Z IlOuS anu SidppOu nlo Uelli az 10,
which sounded like whip. He then swan
parallel with the log toward the shore,
completely blocking up our only avenue of
escape, when | reached for my pistol-a
good one-a shot from which would have
been sure death to our enemy If it could
have struck him in mortal spot. l took
aim and banged away but the bullet proba-
bly, struck him i'll the tough part of the
head, which is as resistible as that much
stone
This only enraged him, but he surprised
me by springing off the log into the water
aud sinking Before | had time to think of
it, however, his tail was lifted in the air,
above water and came at me with a
Kissing sound, striking me square in the
breast and knocking off the log on the OPP
poste side. ] sank, and when | rose
concluded that il was time for imme-
date action on my part II valued my
flesh and bones, Ny companion was
50 Mortified that he could do nothing
but stand up and look at me, entirely for
getting his pistol, which he had in his
pocket. He shouted to me as / was swim
ming for the shore to look behind, which
did and saw the gator coming after me at
full speed honestly believe at the rate Of
twenty miles an hour What must ] dos
IT was useless to attempt to outswim him,
Tor they go very swiftly, and to fight him
affair fist fight was utterly out Of the ques-
ton. 1t was indeed gloomy prospect, and
was on the eve of giving up in despair
when happy thought struck me. l still
retained my revolver, and would surprise
him in a novel way. l turned round and
faced him.
"On he came, his eyes glittering and his
jaws distended wide enough to have swal-
lowed me at one gulp, and when within
arms length | ranmed the pistol back TO
the root % his tongue and knocked it so as
to wedge it in securely. Now was the time
for him 10 show bis pluck. He made an
attsSnpt 10 snap me. but his mouth could
not alose. He was making vicious efforts
to relieve himself of the revolver when the
report Of my partners pistol rang out.