The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-26
BEAR AGAINST ALLIGATOR.
Fierce Fight in a Louisiana Bayou.
Alligator the Winner.

anu FluulCblFtutSS was ludl 70 any StD-
ried encounter between rival monarchs Of
an Eastern jungle.
a friend had proposed an expedition TO
the lakes and bayous Of Central Louisiana
10 hunt the alligator, and we set out.
Crossing the river in a skiff. we found
waiting for Us on the other side two spir
tied black horses, sent down 70 the land
ing by the acquaintance at whose house
we were TO stay during the hunt. The
shiny-faced, ebony yOungster who accom-
panied them on the inevitable mule in
formed US, barring his wOOlly head ODse-
quiously that "Massa am berry sorry he
couldn't cum he'self, but ne ar layin' by
de crap an halter stick clus' ter de field
but Use gwlne er long ter shO' yer de
way. an massa SEE mex 70 selves ter
hum A glorious ride OF 20 miles over
level roads, through dense Canebrakes,
and fording sluggish flowing bayOus and
stagnant lagoons, brought US TO the house
in time for a most appetiling dinner.
At 2 o'clock the next morning we were
awakened by our cOlOred friend with the
horses, and after a hurried cup of black
coffee we set on for the long ride before
Us. When the lakes were reached faint
streaks Of dawn were beginning TO show,
and awakening animal life could be heard
throughout the forest in shrili screams Of
panther and wildcat, with, now and then,
the hoarse below Of an alligator Many
bears can be found in the densely wooded
swamps of the interior of Louisiana, but
we were loaded for alligator, not for bear;
so getting into dugout made
by burning out the inside of a large
tree trunk-a trecherous craft which the
uninitiated had better beware olive
slowly foated and padded over the lake.
Game was plentiful, and by noon we had
left full dozen of aliRators floating in
l. d. IL
clamored for the opening of the lunch
basket, and as the stagnant lake-water
is poisonous we steered for a bayou
which fed the lake on the opposite side.
Our lunch finished. we stretched out for a
rest and smoke. While lazily enjoying oar
siesta we were suddenly startled by loud
crashing in the bushes on the other side
of the bayou Snatching up our rifles,
we rushed TO the waters edge Just in
time to see a large black bear come out
Of the canebrake and walk leisurely to
the opposite bank. He was evidently
thirsty and had sought the cool waters
OF the bayou instead of the easier OBJ
tanned but hot and stagnant lake water
As he had not yet caught sight of us we
concluded TO await developments before
attempting to secure so enviable a prize.
The bear climbed into a low tree that
grew out of the side of the bank, and pro-
ceeded to crawl out on a stout limb over
hanging the bayou. HIS weight bent the
thick limb till IL dipped into the water,
and the bear sQuatted himself on the in
terlacing branches and began tapping Wig
orously. So eagerly did he drink, and so
intently were we watching him, that
neither noticed a fierce swirling of the
water Just below, until long black snout
shot suddenly from beneath the surface
and two cleaning rows of teeth closed on
the outstretched muzZle of the bear. The
shock of this unexpected onslaught was so
sudden that the bear had no time to
clinch his hold on the tree, and so he tum-
bled headforemost into the water, and
turning a complete somersault, fell on his
back at some distance from the alligator.
In falling he had ierked himself free
from the alllgator's teeth. and now he
began to make frantic efforts to swim to
shore. But the alligator, with one firt
of his tail, was upon him again this time
Selling him by forepaw and crushing it
| like an eggshell. We could hear the bones
crack. The bear uttered terrific howl
Of pain and rage, and with his other paw
gave the alligator a blow which sent his
long body flying through the air for a
considerable distance This short re-
spite the bear utilized in padding VIC
lently for the shore, for he was at a
| deadly disadvantage in the water against
| the lightning speed of the alligator in his
| native element. If he could only gain the
| shore, it would soon be his picnic" for
the alligator cannot turn around, his lit
| tie stumpy legs being too far apart. If
any reader ever meets an alligator and
| will take the precaution to have the
meeting take place on land, he need not
fear harm, for he can walk all around the
alligator with impunity.
But to return to TIE fight. Like a
| flash the alligator caught the bear by his
hind leg. They were now in a place
where the water was shallow over hid
den saudbar, so the fight was little
| more even. With a vicious snarl the
bear turned on his back, and, bending
double, caught the alligator by the soft
white flesh of his throat. 1t was now the
BEARS turn 10 bite, and bite he did with
such good will that the blood spurted in
streams and the alligator, let
ting go the foot he had
been chewing, emitted a series OF
howls that made the woods ring Ther
the fight grew tiercer. The alligator beat
a loud tattoo with his tail on the bears
tough hide, but they were at such close
quarters that he could not give it swing
| enough to break any bones. He was grad
ually working around to a better position
however, and suddenly planted vicious
| blow square on the breast that sent the
bear flying head over heels into deer
| water. he was up IN second ana Doth
rushed together. The bear again sought
the alligator's soft throat, and with his
sharp teeth tore great mouthfuls of bleed
ing flesh.
Suddenly he let go with a scream o.
agony and clapped his paws to his righ
| eye, from which the blood was flowing il
torrents. The alligator, unable to use
teeth or tail in such close quarters, haC
torn the bears eye out with his claws
Maddened by the pain, the bear reared uI
on his hind legs and clasped the alliga
tors body in deadly embrace.
Now, we thought, the victory will
surely be with the bear. Hecertainly die
seem to have the best of it. The alligator
used what breath mad not been squeezed
out of him in believing like a bull. TIL,
sounds he uttered were so full of rage
that the waterfowl and small animal!
near the bayou fed in alright. The TIVE
struggled back and forth The water
was dashed into foam by the furious beat
ing of the alligator's tail. Straining ant
struggling this way and that, suddenly
the writing mass of ferocitl
slipped off of the narrow striI
of sand and was in deeI
water again. Now the conditions are re-
versed and the advantage on the side of
the alligator again. With a snakelike
twist OF his 1.-the body he slipped from
the bears clutches and, wheeling around
the long powerful tail flashed for an in
slant in the air and descended with
! crushing force full on the hack of The