Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-08-24
FLORIDA GIRLS.

Not long ago two Florida girls con-
cluded to take a days hunt in the Great
Aurantula hammock, the upper edge OF
which touches the river. Starting out
early, they made good progress, and by Q
o'clock were in the midst of the wild
hammock. During the forenoon they
had luck-killing q deer, wildcat, 10
big gray squirrels and several enormous
snakes. After taking MONDAY lunch
they decided to cross over Alligator
creek, a wide but shallow stream that
crosses the hammock, emptying into the
Withlacochee. Just before reaching the
creek they had to pass through dense
canebrake for several rods. When about
half way through, one of their dogs that
had fingered behind came rushing up.
yelping Justify, while close on its heels
was big black bear, fierce and ugly as
it could be. The path was 30 narrow
that they had no chance to fight the ami
NAL, and in fact the dog and bear came
in ON them SO suddenly that little time
was allowed for reflection.
Miss Josie slung her rifle around and
fred at the beast, but in the confusion
only wounded him. The girls than ran
ahead, intending to get out on to the
open bank by the waters edge, SO as to
get fair ground to battle old bruin.
| But the infuriated animal. aroused to
madness by the rifle ball, pursued them
so closely that only scientific lodging
saved them from close hug. Emerging
from the path, they noticed the boat used
to cross the creek lying right in front Of
them, and both of the girls, struck with
the same idea, sprang into it. their i'm.
petus carrying it out into the creek.
The dog was unable to get into the
boat, but he bit at bruins heels SO sharp
" that the latter had to stop his pursuit
of the girls and endeavor to punish his
four footed assailant But the dog was
too wary and kept out of his reach. The
girls called him, and plunging in ht
swan out to them. Meanwhile the hun
CRY denizens of the creek, whose mum
bers gave it its name, were awakened by
the tumult, and they began to show
themselves. As the dog, jumped in, th.
splash attracted scores Of the ugly rep
tiles from all directions. and the watel
was dotted by the black snouts of th'
hungry gators.
; The girls noticed this and called en-
couragingly to their dog, who seemed tx
be fully aware of his danger. Severa
black noses were already pointed in hi
direction, and it looked as if the gator
, might get meal. But Vida seized th
pole lying at the bottom of the canoe
and by aslxillfnl push sent the boat clos
. to the dog. Josie was waiting, and a
, the dog swan up she helped him t
. Chamber over the side, almost upsettini
| the frail vessel And it was just in time
too, for just as the dogs legs slippe'
out of the water huge pair of jaws ros
out Of the depths with an ominous snap
With souse the disappointed saurial
5 sank.
While this was going on bruin stoo
; on the bank, growing and snarling i
impotent rage at the dog and girls thu
escaping. Seeing the dog in the cano
|, seemed to render him still more furious
and with deep growl he dashed int
i the water and began swimming towar
the boat. Between the bear and th
gators the girls began to think thei
r hands would be full. Wilda picked u
her gun and made snap shotat the an
: NAL, but movement of the dog discor
certed her aim, and the load of bucksho
9 few to one side, only small numbe
striking the bear. But they angered hi1
the more, and with snarl he almos
9 leaped out of the water in his mad eager
= ness to reach the boat.
Wilda dronped the ssn. and niel1in