Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-12-17

legs. could not get O good shot from
| my position on The bank ! shot at her
/ anyhow thinking il might cause her TO
retreat to the lake aud ~ save my dog
Tile bullet bit her ON the head, and /
| heard 1t sing through the air ~ u re-
I bounded from her skull. My shot was
an error. however, and prccipiiated on my
dog the fate had striyen to avert. When
| tired. Watch was put OF his guard, unJ
the alligator, With o quick forward hinge
Of her huge body aud Outstretched neck,
and With n furious snort something like
hog gives when suddenly aroused from
sleep, caught the dog by his foreleg and
began backing toward the lake. Watch
bore the pain like "A Spartan, with neither
whine nor cry. but The sight nervcd me 10
desperation. ! called 90 Jake 20 run
with The axe and attark him In the rear
and divert his attention, 50 that | could
got In my shot between his eyes. No
Jake responded, however, and looking
around. l saw him half way mp n huge
cottonwood tree. his teeth chnttering ike
castanets and his face ushen with fear.
! called TO him 10 get down aud help
mo Kill the alligator or I'd shoot him out
of the tree. pointing the gun toward him
10 emphasize my threat. This argument
soon persuaded him to leave his coign of
vantage, and picking up his axe, he fol-
lowed me slowly and stcndily down the
bank. | ran straight to the nest and be-
gan throwing the eggs about recklessly,
thinking thus 10 enrage the brute. WHO
would then drop Watch and attack me-
Ny rnse had the desired effect, for, see
ing me ruthlcssly handling her cherished
treasures, She droppcld the dog
and, turning, came at me as swiftly as
was possible with her huge bulk.
1t wns do or die" with mo now. and.
putting my gun In position, 1 waited
81 NH H44l. r.. a
any bullet through the wicked little eyes
shouting to Jake at the same time to
run behind and attack her with his axe.
but Jake stood like one petrifcd, holding
his axe outstretched before him with
edge presented, as though he expected
NE alligator to walk mp aud fall on II as
did the old Romans on their swords.
While ! stood with gun aimed, ready
10 shoot the cunning creature turned To
one side as though going TO take to wa
ter and 50 put me OF my guard. Sud-
denly she curved her long shining body
almost into the form Of half bent bow,
then, quick ns lightning, brought a swift,
curying blow with her ridgcd and power.
iul tlil' which hit mo on the bacl; of
my legs just below my knees, and swept
me like a boomerang straight toward
those cruel jaws. Her wicked upper law
was proppcd back like trap door as
described my dying trip. and she
NN"Pl''u w Hlg NhuulNtT, which she
caught. She also captured my hunting
morn ana pouch Of ammunition, which
were hanging over my shoulder. These
became ontanRlcd in the long teeth. and
before she could discngagc them, Watch.
AL bleeding his forclrg torn from tho
socket threw himself on the very bacl,
oil me monster, Swapping and biting hcr
around the mock and sides. This payc
me chance 10 break loose. and / rushrl
pack for the gnn, which the alligator lad
poctod blow. "''>
Now, quick, Jnkc You run and cbop
nor fail on with the axe aud IN shoot
| trenblcd with excitement AS tried
10 steady my nerves for a ppod ain
jake refused 10 move
'L9udy massey, Mnrsc Joe. dat gator
use her tail too quick for dis uirr1hl
No, SAM Come, less 20 home. Use sial;
an wants ter Kit ter bald"
watch was slill ON the nllgator's back.
ShaEtng aud biting, so | slippel mn 10
one side, took aim nenr her toreleg In
the soft part of the body, aud fired. THO
slot told A lremor passed through nor
whole lengih, her body strnigbtenrj and
she lgy siill. She was little over four.
teen feet long ''''
was the p0udest boy that ever
walked with hhc exception Of lake.
VINO was never tired OF telling of 'tbe
plE CATER me an Nlnrse Joe Kilt"
tbIa'e N9teh recovered after long
tlne, hut he had sworn vendetta
2galust the alligator tribe. and Womb
jump from skin into The river, IN l,isa
hght whenever he saw one