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

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 a
gaping wound in its hind leg, the bear
snapped, clawed and bit at his Eavage
antagonists, but they were too many for
him.
Another seized one Of its legs in its
powerful jaws, and with strong effort
r!rew 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 eff
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 fu-
rious struggle continued under water
for several seconds.
The girls had gazed on the fight SPELL
bound, but now they were rudely
aroused to their own peril. The dog had
banked loudly during the savage fight
going on SO near, and the gators who
missed bear meat seemed to be after
dogs flesh. The canoe rocked, almost
overturning, and the startled girls saw a
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
It evidently didn't agree, Judging from
the reptile's&udden sinking and thrash
ing about.
\ moment later huge tail came fly
ing over the bow of the boat, and strik-
ing the dog, who stood there barking,
knocked him into the water. A big pair
of wide open jaws was just about to
close ON the tempting norsel when Viii
da stopped down, and catching the dogs
forepawS by a sudden effort drew him
INTO the boat. the sauriap's jaws closing
with snap that indicated great disap-
polntment. The dog covered down in
the bottom of the boat, while the girls
attended TO the other gators, who seemed
to manifest an inclination to get into the
canoe. Several shots were fired at the
reptiles, but their taste of blood had
made them fearless
- SClGdlu iTOIl Josie aroused w liza,
who was striving to pole the boat ashore
Turning around she saw her sister half
drawn out of the canoe, a big monster
gator having seized her dress. Josie
was beating the gator over the nose
with her rifle with one hand, while with
the other she endeavored to hold herself
i'll the boat. Without a moments hest
tatlon Vida raised the long pole she
was using. and posing it a moment
threw 1t at the gators head. BY rare
good fortune 1t struck him in the eye
and penetrated 10 the brain. With a
loud below the reptile sank.
For the next few minutes the brave
girls had all they could do-one firing at
the saurians as they approached too
closely, while the other, using the breech
of her gun as a paddle. urged the canoe
to shore. As it touched the sand both
leaped out and ran up the bank. None
oosoon either. for big, pursuing gator,
in its desperation at losing its prey,
threw itself forward, crushing in the
sides of the boat. The girls concluded
that they had had enough hunting for
that day and returned home by another
route.-Million.