Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-08-03
FLORIDA GIRLS.

Guided TO take days hunt in the Great
Aurantula hammock, the upper edge of
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-killing a deer, a wildcat, 10
big gray squirrels and several enormous
snakes. After taking a MONDAY lunch
they decided TO cross over Alligator
creek, wide but shallow stream that
crosses the hammock, emptying into the
WithlaCOchce. Just before reaching the
creek they had to pass through u 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 its heels
was big black bear, fierce and ugly as
1t could be. The path was so narrow
that they had no chance 10 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 rifle around and
fired at the beast, but in the &C nfusion
only wounded him. The girls than ran
ahead, intending 10 get out on to the
open bank by the waters edge, so as to
get fair ground to battle old bruin.
But the Infatuated animal, aroused to
madness by the rifle ball, pursued them
50 closely that only scientific dodging
saved them from IA 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 i'm
petus carrying it out into the creek.
The dog WAS unable TO get into the
boat, but he bit at bruins heels so sharp
" 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
gry denlzens of the creek, whose num-
bers gave II its name, We're 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 We're already pointed in his
direction, and 1t looked as if the gators
might get a meal. But Vida seized the
pole lying nj tn" bottom of the canoe,
anu by skllhul 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 il was just in time,
too, for just as the dogs legs slipped
ont of the water huge pair Of jaws rose
out of the depths with an ominous snap.
With a sOuse the disappointed saurian
sank.
While this WAS going ON bruiu stood
on the bank, growing and suarln,- in
impotent ra-s,. nj the do, and .rirls rms
escaping. Seeing the dog in the canoe
seemed to rene, T HIM still more fnriors
and with dren .,ro,yl he dashed into
the water and H,,.r,n s,yin,,i,,,, +o,,.or5
the boat. Between tle hr,r and tba
gators the girls began ~ think their
hands would be full Wil1a Dicked nm
her gun and made a snaD shotat tbe ami.
NAL, but movement of tie dog discon-
certed her aim, and the load Of buclsshot
flew 10 ono side. only small number
striking the bear But they fingered him
the more, and with snarl he almost
leaped out of the water in his mad eager
ness to reach the boat.
Vida dro,p,l the. s-un and niclyin,
up the pole soon placed the boat a roS
ahead of the pursuiu,r animal Jnsia bod
again reloaded her. mn and sba +,,r,l,I
to deliver his o,,i.t1,s r, t,,. o,;,,o1 D.
the commo+ion in tho W.T.. 80 49,
bears evident disouietude pnt a new fac-
on matters. and she withheld her 6re
The dog's v,l,,i,,c, and IN. b,,r,s -,
ing had evidently awakened the scaIv
denizens of the creek to realizing sense
that it was mraItnue. MISSING the doy
they were not avcrse to bear maa9
bruin, in his hurry to catch his first
1,,i,,b+ b,fa11 hin, =, H.. ..,I D..