Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-05-17

eloudless sky, sending its dazzling rays
luHlhlo my face. | scarcely had enough
remaining strength to lift my hand and
pull my hat down over my eyes, flor in
some way my hat had managed to stick
on my head during the whole timc)
The san had tho effect of tempo
rarily rouSing me from my previous
stupeiied condition; but was gradually
relapslng into it, when, across the water,
began to hear sounds like the NUT
terlng OF distant thunder. ! knew, far
too well, that they were produced by
the believing OF old bull alligators.
had not previously thought of
these lurking foes; and, now, envy was
SANK into my very soul, like knell of
dcath. since there were a!ligatOrs else
where, why might there not be some
near me--why notg Almost at the
thought, saw the outline of black,
ugly head appear, n few hundred yards
out IN the lake. "Oh, the horror Of that
moment! every nerve was strung to its
highest pitch, and my heart seemed
beating like mutfied drum; | scarcely
dared to move a muscle, for fear the
reptile might observe it. judged that
IN all probability he would approach
the land before great while, but
whether he would come towards me, or
IN some other direction, could not tell
Ny doubt was of very short duration,
for, after few moments the long black
object turned slowly towards me, aud,
without ripple OF the water, could
see It was rapidly approaching.
My fate now seemed plain, there
mired deeply in that unyielding bog,
half crazed by past and present suffer.
ing, and with no means OF defence, |
was to be devoured by reptile SO loath-
some that whea viewed from d place of
safety the beholder can scarcely refrain
from shuddering at his hideous uglinegs.
was there no alternative? Yes, there
was still one faint hope left, and |
grasped that with the desperation of a
drowning man; he might only come to
the Island that was about 80 yards TO
my lett. This was evidently his inten.
ton, for as he approached | saw his
course was not directly toward me, but
even II he did 80 to the island, was very
near that, and | knew the least sound
or motion might 6etray me. 1t would
only be short release from the horrible
tate that inevitably seemed to await me.
ION he came, nearer and nearer, until
could plainly see, by the length of
BODY and head exposed above the sur
lace what monster he was. To my in
tense relief, just before reaching the
island he observed the ducks and went
round TO devour them. Having finished
his meal he crawled out ON the bank
and knew that for short time al least
was safe, as he would soon get into
that comatose state peculiar to reptiles,
after gorging themselves. | still pre-.
ferred, however, to be as still as possible
so as not to run the risk of arousing
him.
My next consideration was as to his
course after waking. | then fully re.
solved if he showed any intention of
approaching me to strange myself
rather than meet death by means of
such loathsome object.
VI was so much occupied with what
had been going on that l had not noted
the lapse of time, aud supposed it must
nave been in the afternoon, when | sud
denly deserted the figure of a horseman
of in the distance.
"The change from despair to hone
was intense, and almost overwhelming,
and | could feel my whole being thrill
with the new emotion. Hope soon gave
place to doubt, however, as | realized
that even then my chances of rescue
were extremely poor. L dared not call
out or wave, for fear of bringing my
dreaded for, instead of rescue. The
horscman was coming in my direction,
but how long he would continue his
course could not decide. If he were
hunter, he would only come far enough
to look for game; but if cattle man, |
telt almost certain of rescue, as there
were cattle feeding near me, on the edge
OF the lake. | concluded to rGmain per.
iectly quiet, unless he might change his
direction, in which case | would risk
everything by shouting and waving.
He evidently must have observed me,
however, while still some distance off, as
he quickened his pace, and seemed to be
trying to determine what was,
Then it was, that | knew was
saved, and as the reaction swept through
me, for the second time during that
period, the tears wclled up to my eyes,
my remaining presence of mind saved
me from giving way to my grief, us it
might have proved disastrous to me, by
rousing the sleeping reptile.
"The man galloped TO the edge of the
lake, then pulled up, stared moment
IN Amusement and excitedly said, Are
you sticking III bog, how long you
been there, can't you talk?' | had
raised my cramped arm and was point
ing to the gator, which was so stupe!icd,
that he did not notice the approach of
| the horseman.
Fortunately my rescuer carried
ride; so without dismounting he Tired: |
plainly heard the ball strike his thick
scaly side, but it could not have pierced
the skin, us the gator opened his eyes,
looked around in half dazed way;
then, seeing the man, he quickly aid of
into the water, and in few minutes
had the extreme satisfaction of seeing
his black body reappear out in the lake,
heading for the opposite shore.
Then l explained my situation as
quickly as ! could, owing to my weak
and exhausted condition. | advised
him not to try TO rescue me without the
aid OF boat, as there was danger of
his miring as well us myself; directed
him as to finding the boat in which he
might easily effect my rescue; then hay.
ing begged him to go as quickly us pos.
slble, he set out at swift gallon and |
had only to wait for rescue, which |
knew would come in an hour or two.
with the mental relief, came the re-
newed pangs Of physical pain; and that
which had before kept despair at bay,
now prevented the reactions being too
great.
"Then, too, this pain served me in
another way, in that it did not allow me
to succumb to sleepiness which then be.
gan to trouble me to certain extent.
In my weak condition it seemed as if
| DAVIS were nnssinm Nhiln L INITIAL -.