The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-09-12
FLORIDA GIRLS.

/
which touches the river. Starting out
early, they made good progress, and by
o'clock were in the midst Of the wild
hammock During the forenoon they
had luck-klling deer, wildcat, 10
big gray squirrels and several enormous
snakes. After taking MONDAY lunch
they decided to cross over Alligator
creek, wide but shallow stream that
crosses the hammock, emptying into the
Withlacochee. Just before reaching the
creek they had to pass through dense
canebrake for several rods. When about
half way through, one Of their dogs that
had fingered behind came rushing up,
yelping Justify, while close on it's heels
was big black bear, fierce and ugly as
it could be. The path was so narrow
that they had no chance to fight the ami
NAL, and in fact the dog and bear came
in on them so suddenly that little time
was allowed for reflection.
Miss Josie slung her rife around and
fired at the beast, but in the confusion
only wounded him. The girls than ran
ahead, intending to get out on to the
open bank by the waters edge, 80 as to
get fair ground to battle old bruin.
But the Infatuated animal, aroused to
madness by the rifle ball, pursued them
SO closely that only scientific lodging
saved them from a close hug. Emerging
from the path, they noticed the boat used
to cross the creek lying right in front Of
them, and both of the girls, struck with
the same idea, sprang into it. their inn
petus carrying it out into the creek.
The dog was unable to get into the
boat, but he bit at bruins heels so sharp
ly that the latter had to stop his pursuit
of the girls and endeavor to punish his
four footed assailant. But the dog was
too wary and kept out of his reach. The
girls called him, and plunging in he
swan out to them. Meanwhile the hun
cry denizens of the creek, whose num-
beers gave it its name, were awakened by
the tumult, and they began to show
themselves. AS the dog jumped In, the
splash attracted scores of the ugly rep
tiles from all directions, and the water
was dotted by the black shouts Of the
hungry gators.
The girls noticed this and called en-
couragingly to their dog, who seemed to
be fully aware of his danger. Several
black noses were already pointed In his
direction, and it looked as if the gators
might get meal. But Vida seized the
pole lying at the bottom of the canoe,
and by skillful push sent the boat close
to the dog. Josie was waiting, and as
the dog swan up she helped him to
Chamber over the side, almost upsetting
the frail vessel. And it was just in time,
too, for Just as the dogs legs slipped
out of the water huge pair of jaws rose
out of the depths with an ominous snap.
With souse the disappointed saurian
sank.
While this was going on bruin stood
on the bank, growing and snarling in
impotent rage at the dog and girls tlus
escaping. Seeing the dog in the canoe
seemed to render him still more furious,
and with a deep growl he dashed into
the water and began swimming toward
the boat. Between the bear and the
gators the girls began to think their
hands would be full. Vida picked up
her gun and made snap shot at the ami
NAL but movement of the dog discon-
certed her aim, and the load Of buckshot
flew to one side, only small number
striking the bear. But they angered him
the more, and with snarl he almost
leaped out Of the water in his mad eager
/ ness to reach the boat.
Vida dropped the gun, and picking
up the pole soon placed the boat a rod
ahead Of the pursuing animal. Josie had
again reloaded her gun, and she turned
to deliver his quietus to the animal. But
the commotion in the water and the
bears evident disquietude put new face
on matters, and she withheld her fire.
The dogs yelping and the bears growl-
ing had evidently awakened the scaly
denizens of the creek to a realizing sense
that it was mealtime. Missing the dog,
they were not averse to bear meat.
bruin, in his hurry to catch his first
prey, had paid little attention to what
might befall him in the creek. But now
he began to notice the increasing num-
Der of black spots in the water all turn
ing toward him, and probably instinct
told him that hungry gators in their
own element were a foe not to be de-
spised.
With an uneasy whine, he attempted
to turn and regain the shore, but now it
was too late. With rush, big black
form was seen to dart up against him,
and in a second he was seized and dragged
under. The old fellow was game, how
ever, and now that he had got into the
| fight he proved no mean antagonist.
With an immense effort he plunged away
from the attacking gator and dashed
forward for the shore. The water shoaled,
and it seemed as if he would escape. A
big bull saurian dashed forward and
seized the bear by one of his hind legs,
while two others swan behind him to
cut off his retreat.
With a deep roar of rage, the bear
turned on the one that seized him, and
with one stroke of his paw clawed out
the gators eye. The latter beloved
with pain. and thrashing the water mad
ly plunged forward at bruin. Other
gators joined in, and the poor animal
was beset on all sides. Sitting on its
launches, with the blood flowing from
lgaping wound in its hind leg, the bear
snapped, clawed and bit at his savage
antagonists, but they were too many for
him.
Another seized one of its legs in its
powerful jaws, and with a strong effort
drew the bear off into deeper water.
Others dashed at him from all sides,
Swapping at him from every point. The
water splashed high and was churned
into snowy wilderness by the furious ef-
forts of the fighters, save where the red
blood told the tale. But few moments
longer did the unequal struggle last.
Bruin strove to regain his feet, but the
cruel jaws of the reptiles closed on his
legs. sides and wherever hold could be
secured, and with one mighty, agonizing
roar the bear disappeared, while the flu
rious struggle continued under water
for several seconds.
The girls had gazed on the hght spell
bound, but now they were rudely
aroused to their own peril. The dog had
barked loudly during the savage fight
going on 80 near, and the gators who
missed bear meat seemed to be after
dogs flesh. The canoe rocked, almost
overturning, and the startled girls saw
monstrous pair of open jaws right at the
side Of their small craft Josie pushed
her rifle barrel In the gators mouth and
pulled the trigger, sending bullet where
1t evidently didn't agree, judging from
the reptiles sudden sinking and thrash
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