The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-04
RACING FOR LIFE.
Retriever and an Alligator Swim
Tandem Across a River.

"On hot sultry day." said the Colonel,
"and within few miles of Jacksonville,
on a small tributary to the st. Johns River,
occurred one of the most sensational races
for life and prey that have come under my
notice.
ga party Of gentlemen left Jacksonville
last Thursday on sporting expedition, tax
ing with them several valuable, well-trained
dogs The owner of splendid retriever
shot at and wounded duck on the northern
bank of a stream, which was about eighty
yards wide. The wounded duck fell into
jungle on the opposite side and the dog went
after, but could not find it. The dog had
only left the further bank on his return
when suddenly the snout of an alligator rose
above the water. The suaran gave chase,
while the gentleman called the dog.
"The animal seemed to realize his peril,
and yelped while the alligator forged ahead.
The cries OF the party Were continuous, and
the dog swan his best. The alligator did
not dip one moment but kept his eyes
fastened upon the form of the dog. Not an
inch seemed to be gained or lost by either.
The race was matchless. The alligator at
tempted occasional spurts, making the water
rush by in snowy foam. and the dog, evil
IDENTIFY equal to the emergency, would lay his
ears back and speed along with astonishing
SwiftneSS
1.-The middle of the stream was reached,
and the distance between pursuer and pur-
sued remained the same The sportsmen
began to fear that the dog would give out
before they could get an effective shot at
the alligator. Under the circumstances
they could not fire for fear of killing the
dog; besides, having only duck shot in
stead of bail, their chances of infiictiDg any
damage upon the reptile were few.
The dog swan anxiOusly, eXcitedly. fixing
his eyes upon the group of men and the low
shore. Only about thirty yards more, and
if all went well the dog would be safe. The
alligator changed his tactics. He would dip
his snout slightly under the water and in
wriggling way would make astonishing
spurts, but did not seem to decrease the
distance. After eIoh squirt the alligator
seemed to lose little ground, but
very little. At fifteen yards from the bank
the size OF the monster could be estimated.
He was more than three yards in length.
Every atom OF energy was exercised by
both. Cries rang out by the men. The
excitement began to intenSify-the alligator
was gaining. he brute did not notice the
anxious spectators on the shore Suddenly
a report was heard. 1t was a shot at the
alligator from fowling- piece. Needless of
the noise the contestants in the race kept on.
Only few feet aud the dog would be
Wet IN.
lin lain did the retriever try to lengthen
the distance, 10 no purpose. The alligator
was now gaining inch by inch. The dog was
becoming inspired possibly with too much
lear, iof he hlaue several plteous yelping
aapptas noI netp; seven sever {afus nearer a.. tne
Ddhk; seven yarus ron me g0al OF nope
ana NE LOT tne ; uoa ana sun .he race was
so,l,g 1n H'SH Gun uetei GFsiy
huItel lau ms i.o"lll!s-piece feddy 10 uls,
Sllaiee at luz ari,isatoI as soon rs NC c9ulu
40 IL saIely. Inc Jog toucned the sioplng'
water-c0vered bank Of the stream, and,
WIN wliu ciy VI uelight from tue sports
men anu Yep ol JOY from the uqg, ne soon
was pounelilS on on. Tue shote. Inc ae.er.
inlhatiOh Oh the alll3ator was SO great that
ne stranded on the bank, out ne rested
there only LOT moment. Several charges
Q! shot were poured INTO MN In yoliey;
he turned quickly ana, with spring, lashed
the deeler watsr ana dlved Into The depths
oil the stream N. L. World.
r,E-,,--, ~ .
mn. hh'ea ms own
Az fort scout met an acquaintance Wiom
l knew mad gone lurther west 10 lound
future city, ana naturally enough maze IN