The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-18
OUTWITTEDs AN ALLIGATOR.

The Clumsy Saurian no Match for q Texas
Woman.
COURTNEY, Tex. June H.-Durinp the re-
cent high water in this vicinity huge alli-
gator was killed under what were probably
the most curious circumstances that such a
thing ever took place. A woman named
Lucinda Burns, living about half a mile
on the other side of the river (Brazos),
found herself cut off from the town and her
neighbors by the water, though her own house
standing as it did on an elevated point.
was out of danger. She lived quite alone,
and her provisions giyin,g ort one day there
was no one to fetch more but herself; 30,
getting in an old dug -out," or home man
ufactured boat, she possessed, she rowed
herfelf to town. and after purchasing what
she needed, which included a sack Of -four,
she started home again.
She had crossed about quarter of mile
OF the sheet of water, which, at this point,
was over eight miles wide, the river being
spread all over the bottom, and was within
half mile Of home, when tho boat struck
what seemed to be floating log. But the
played the horrid gaping mouth and scaly
head of an alligator. The creature, which
had apparently been floating asleep on the
water, seemed to regard the blow of the
boat rs direct insult and made for it
furiously. The woman, who is of powerful
that, it was imp ,ssible to outstrip the
saurian, turned and made for the side she
had just left, the gator following. He
caught her easily, and, thrusting his long
black snout over the side of the boat, mar
rowly escaped upsetting it.
mrs. Burns struck him with all her might
across the nose with an oar and caused him
to fall back for moment, but he returned
to the attack and again came near turning
over the boat. This was repeated several
times, the woman making the most of her
opportunities, rowing with all her might
and now and tn en- striking at the alligator,
first with one oar and then with the other,
as he would approach either side of the
boat. A current caught her and lent its aid
IN sending her toward the shore, where a
crowd had asse mbled and was watching her
movements in breathless interest. It was
evident. if she could succeed in warding off
the attacks of her enemy little longer, she
would reach the shorelin saftey; but to do
this was becoming more and more difficult,
for the alligator was growing more vicious
and bold as he saw his prey escaping him.
The ugly brute drew back for moment
and gathered himself for a rush that the
woman succeeded IN avoiding by sweep of
the oars, but the saurian turned instantly
to repeat the rush. The spectators gave her
up for lost, for the boat was still rocking
violently from the agitation caused by the
last rush, and, there being no other boat at
hand, assistance from the land was impos-
sible.
Mrs. Burns here dropped her oars as if in
despair, but it was soon apparent that her
ingenuity had hit on a plan for
her foe. She ripped open one
end of the flour sack, and filing tin Dip |
ger, used for bailing the boat, with the CON
tents, waited until the alligator reached the |
side OF the dug-out, and then flung the -four |
straight in his gaping throat, and before he |
could dive filled his eyes with it. The brute |
gasped and houndered for moment, then |
sank, and for several moments she rowed on |
But presently the black shape |
rose close to the boat and made another |
rush at it, only to receive another dipperful |
Of the flour in his eyes. Maddened and |
blinded, the alligator did not pause how
over, but hurled himself at the fraii little |
vessel, with distended jaws, and tried to |
climb in.
The boat dipped with his weight and be-
gan to fill and sink, but Mrs. Burns caught |
up the sack of flour and emptied it into the |
,apacious mouth just as the dug-out cap
'ized. Down went the alligator. raising a |
mimic storm by the furious lashing of his |
'ail and his rolling and tumhling, but tie |
woman struck out for land, and, catching q |
'ope that had been thrown to her, was soon |
in safetv. The alligator, still gaspinp and |
Visiting, rose presently to the surface Of the |
water, and was easily despatched bv shot
guns, which had been sent for from town.
ind only arrived in time to end his gator
hips career.