The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1893-12-02
SLACK STOCKINGS FOR GATORS

BLACK STOCKINGS FOR GATORS
Novel Method of Boat Propulsion EN-
ployed by Florida Camping Party.
eLast winter, during a visit paid
Florida plantation, a novel and effec-
tive method of catching alligators
came under nv notice." said Helen
Cranberry, in the New York Tribune.
There were half dozen young peo-
pie in the house at which L 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
bv 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 1at-bottomed
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 young woman
in the party espied some beautiful
wild flowers. There was submerged
log directly in front of the bank where
they grew, but as our boat was strong,
and she said that she would be broken
hearted unless she could have them,
we rowed directly over tie 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" shrieled
some one, and we instantly realized
that the supposed log we had seen was
in reality living saurian. Three of
us were almost paralized with fear,
but the fourth and brightest of our
party was equal to the emergency. In
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 hammers!' he cried, and,
realizing the necessity of blind obedi-
snce, 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. ~. ..--.,;.yFi :. 7'> 500 -S''-.--''
''But our prisoner was not pleased,
and began thrashing the water vio-
lsntly. 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 bangle your feet in the
water. No, don't put your shoes on!
Now swing your feet to the rightr
The young woman followed his direc-
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 graft
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
stsered? 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 balAy 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
lite article of food-a nice, plump little
darby. 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
terfere with his powers of locomotion,
as we've seem
1.-THE end of the adventure came
some months later in the shape of an
alligator-skin pocketbook 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"