Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-10-26
FLORIDA GIRLS.

Not long aso two Florida girls con-
cluded to tai,r days hunt in the Great
Aurantnla hammock. the upper edge Of
which tpncho> the river. Starting out
early. they rlaic good progress and by 9
o'clock were N the midst of the wild
hammock, During the forenoon they
had luck I'm; a deer. IA wildcat, 10
olE gray sqU'rrt : and several enormous
snake. After taking a MONDAY lunch
they decided TO cross over Alligator
creek. a wide but shallow stream that
crosses the hammock. emptying into the
NitllacVcEct. just before reaching the
creek tncv hai 70 pass through dense
canebrtke FOR several rods When about
half way through. one of their dogs that
had fingered hvhind came rushing up,
yelplns lust..V. while close on its heels
was liS back bear, fierce and ugly AS
1t could be. The path was SO narrow
that they had no chance to fight the ami
NAL, ana iu fact the dog and bear came
III on th,iA so suddenly that little time
was allowed :or reflection.
Miss Jo>l" slung her rifle around and
fired at the beast, but III the confusion
only wounded him. The girls than ran
ahead, intending to get out on 10 tho
open bank by the waters edge, so as to
get fair ground 10 battle old bruin.
But the im!nrlated animal, aroused to
madness by tie rifle ball, pursued them
50 closely that only scientific dodging
saved them from close hug. Emerging
from the path, they noticed the boat used
to cross the creek living right in front Of
them, ana both OF the girls. struck with
the same IDEA. sprang into 1t. their i'm
petns carrying II out into the creek.
The dog w4- unable TO get into the
boat, bat he bit at bruins heels SO sharp
ly that thc latter had to stop his pursuit
OF the girls and en.ieavor to punish his
four footed u,>.uiaut But the dog was
too wary ana kept out Of his reach. The
girls called him, and plunging in he
swan ont 10 them. Meanwhile the hun
cry deulzsus If the creek, whose num-
lers 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
wa dotted by the black snouts Of the
hungry gators
The girls noticed this and called en-
courasnglv to their dog, who seemed to
be fully aware Of his danger. Several
black noses we're already pointed in his
direction, and ii looked as If the gators
might e; meal. But Vida seized the
pole lying at the bottom of the canoe.
and hy a skIllful pnsh sent the boat close
10 the dog. Josie was waiting, and as
the dog swan up she helped him to
Chamber over the side, almost upsetting
the frall vessel. And it was just in time,
too, for Just as the dogs legs slipped
ont Of the water a huge pair of jaws rose
ont 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 snarllug in
impotent rage at the dog and girls lus
escaping, Seeing the dog in the canoe
seemed TO render him still more furious,
and with deep growl he dashed into
ll4f NdAtL anu Atrdll sN iIliUEID- tOMdIu
the boat. Between the bear and the
gators the girls began 10 think their
hands would be full. Vida picked up
her gun and made a snap shot at the ami
NAL, but movement Of the dog discon-
cerl"i her aim. and the load Of buckshot
few 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 III his mad eager
ness TO reach the boat.
Vida dropled the gun, and picking
up the pole soon placed the boat q rod
ahead Of the pursuing animal. Josie had
again reloaded her gun, and she turned
to deliver his quietus to the animal. But
the commotlon in the water and the
bears evident disquietude put new face
pn matters, ani she withheld her fire.
The dogs yelping and the bear 8 growl-
ing had evidently awakened the scaiy
deuizens of the creek to realizing sense
that il was mealtime. Missing the dog,
they We're not averse TO bear meat.
bruin. III his hurry TO catch his first
prey. had paid little attention to what
might bcfall him in the creek. But now
he began to notice the increasing num-
ber 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 III 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
w plunged forward at Drum. Other
gators Joined in, and the poor animal
was beset on all sides. Sitting on its
launches, with the blood flowing from a
gaping wound in its hind leg, the bear
snapped. clawed and bit at his savage
antagonists, but they We're too many for
him.
Another seized one of its legs in its
powerful jaws, and with 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 whiteness 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 ths
cruel jaws of the reptiles closed ON hi'
legs. sides and wherever hold could b<
secured, and with one mighty, agonizinl
roar the bear disappeared, while the fu
rious struggle continued under watel
| for several seconds.
The girls had gazed on the fight spell
bound, but now they were rudei!
aroused to their own peril. The dog hat
barked loudly during the savage figh
going on SO near, and the gators wh'
| missed bear meat seemed to be afte