The St. Johns herald., 1893-09-21
BLACK STOCKINGS FOR GATORS
Novel Method of Boat Propulsion Elm
 ployed by a Florida Camping Party.


 Novel Method of Boat Propulsion Elm
 ployed by Florida Camping Party.
 Hast winter, during a visit paid Florida plantation, novel and effec- tive method of catching alligators came under my notice," said Helen Cranberry, in the New York Tribune. ''There were half a dozen young peo- pie in the house at which I was stay ing, and, wearing of commonplace comfort, they decided to camp out for a few days. A pleasant piece Of wood land was chosen and preparations be- gan at once. The camp was near the plantation, but was separated from 1t by a creek, one of the innumerable tributaries of the St. John river. At least once a day some of the young people went over to the camp in an awkward but roomy old fat-bOttomcd boat, carrying various articles which they supposed would be useful. The day before our outdoor life was to be- gin the old boat made a great many trips. On one occasion there were four of us going over and we were burdened with tools, hammer and nails, ropes, canned meats, etc. As we were near ing the opposite shore a young woman in the party espied some beautiful wild flowers. There was a submerged log directly in front of the bankwhere they grew, but as our boat was strong, and she said that she would be broken hearted unless she could have them, we rowcd directly over the log and one of us leaned out to pick the blossoms.
 Suddenly our boat began to move in most mysterious manner, going neither forward nor backward, but straight up ''Alligator!" shrielzed some one, and we instantly realized that the supposed log we had seen was in reality a living saurian. Three of US were almost paralized with fear, but the fourth and brightest Of our party was equal to the emergency. Tn far less time than it takes to tell it he had snatched up the hammer and nails and was using the first article to drive the second through the bottom of the boat. You'll have to help; we must be quick! Take off your shoes and use the heels as hammersr he cried, and, realizing the necessity of blind obedi- cnce, we began driving nails, too. His intention dawed on US by the time it had become a finished action, and we complimented him on his idea of pin ming the alligator to the boat with nails.
 But our prisoner was not pleased, and began thrashing the water vio- lently. Again our clever friend came to the rescue. Does either of you girls wear black stockings? said he. One of us did. Then sit up in the end of the boat and dangle your feet in the water. No, don't put your shoes on! Now swing your feet to the rightr The young woman followed his dircc- tions, and, wonderful to relate, the boat slowly moved to the right. Oars were useless; the alligator bore Us home on his back, and we showed our grati- tude by putting him out of his misery as soon as we could.
 "'But how did you know he'd carry the boat, and why did he go where l stoered? And, above all, why were black stockings necessary?'
 "'Have you ever heard of tieing a carrot to the end of a whip and dang ling it in front Of ball1y horse to make him go? My idea was based on that. You swung your feet in the water, and, seeing the black hosiery. the gator fancied you were his favor ite article of food-a nice, plump little darly. He followed where you led. The nails prevented his reaching you, though his hide was so tough they hurt him but little, and certainly didn't in- terfcre with his powers of locomotion, as we've seen.'
 ''The end of the adventure came some months later in the shape of an pocl1etbool for each member of the party. The skin used was that of our captured foe, and in the upper corner of each was tiny golden nail"