Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-11-29
RACING ron LIFE.
"A n,trT6vet ana An Alligator Swim Tan.
.s dem AcrOaS n EIvon


"A 1e,trISver ana an Alligator swim Tan.
@ ,dem AcrCss q. Elver.
|. ION q hot sultry day." said the
Colonel to q Now York World man, "and
within fcw miles OF Jacksonville, on q
small tributary to tho st. Johns rivor.
occurred ono OF tho most sensational
races for life and prey that havo como
under my notice.
"A party OF gentlemen left Jackson
villc last July on sporting expedition.
taking with thctm several valuable, wcll-
trained dogs. Tho ownor of splondiI
retriever shot ut and wounded n duck on
tho northern bank of tho stream, which
was about eighty yards wido. Tho
wounded duck foil into q Jungle on tho
opposite side AID tho dog won't after
but could not find 1t. Tho dog had only
left tho furthor bank on his return, whom
suddenly tho snout of an alligator roso
above tho water. Tho saurian gavo
chase, whilo tho gentlemen called tho
dog.
"Tho animal seemed to realizo his
ppril and yclpcd whilo tho alligator
forged ahead. Tho cries of tho party
werc continuous, and tho dog swan his
best. Tho alligator did not dip ono mo-
mont, bat Kept his eyes fastened upon
tho form OF tho dog. Not nm inch seemed
to DO gained or lost by either. Tho race
was matchless. Tho alligator attempted
occasional spurts, making tho watcr
rush by in q snowy foam, and tho dog,
evidently equal to tho emergency, would
my his oars back and spool along with
astonishing swiftness.
"Thc middle of tho stream was
reached, and the distance between pur-
suer and pursued remained tho same.
Tho sportsmen began to fear that tho,
dog would givo out before they could
get On effective shot ut the alligator.
Undcr tho circumstances they could not
fire for fear of killing tho dog; besides,
having only duck shot instead of bali;
their chances Of inflicting any damage
npon thc;rcptilo wero few.
"Thc dog swan anXiously, excitedly,
fixing his eyes upon tho group Of men
and tho low shore. Only about thirty
yards moro. and IL nil won't wcll tho dog
would be safe. Tho alligator changed
his tactics. Ho would dip his snont
slightly under tho water. and in wrig-
Cling way would mako astonishing
spurts, but did not seem to decrease tho
distance. After each squirt tho alligator
seemed to loso littlc ground, but very
little. At fifteen yards from tho bank
the size OF tho monster could BIO csti-
mated. Ho was moro than thrco Yards
in length. Every atom of energy was
exercised by both. Cries rang out by
tho men. Tho excitement began to in
tensify-the alligator was gaining. Tho
brute did not notice tho anxious spc,-
tators on the shore. Suddenly report
was heard. 1t was shot ut tho alligator
from fowling-piece. Needless of tho
noise, the contestants in the race kent
on. Only few feet and tho dog would
be victimI .lyl
''ln vain did tho retriever try to
lcngthen the distance, to no purpose.
Tho alligator was now gaining inch by
inch. Tho dog was becoming inspired,
possibly with too much fear, for be
made several piteous yolping appeals
for help. Seven yards nearer tho bank,
seven yards from tho goal OF hopo and
life for tho dog, and still the race was
going on with grim determination.
Every hunter had his fowling-piocc
ready to discharge Mt tho alligator rs
soon rs he could do 80 with safety. The
dog touched the sloping, wnter-covered
bank OF the stream, and, with o wild cry
OF delight from thesportsmen and yolp
of JOY from tho dog, no soon was bound.
ing on tho shore. Tho determination of
tho alligator was so great that no strand
cd on tho bank, but he rested there only
for moment. Several charges OF shot
were poured into him in volley. He
turned quickly and, with spring, lashod
the deeper watcr and dived into tho
depths of tho stream"