Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-11-28
IN FLORIDA WATERS.
Thrilling Fight Between a Man
and Alligator.
KNOCKED OUT BY A NOSE-ROASTER.
Boat Attacked Because 1t was Painted
Red-The Alligator Measured
IA Feet in Length.

1.-TWO years ago, during orange pack
ing time, not wishing to spare one OF
the men from work to go to town every
day for mail, | made a small cypress
boat, not more than ten feet long. 1t
was so light and easy going that could
cover the distance of one mile in nine
minutes. After had the boat finished
painted it red, "a strong, bright red,
as the Dutchman said.
Zone day l went about forty feet
from the shore. / soon saw an ugly
looking fellow about four feet above
the water, partly hidden by weeds.
| noticed slight motion as passed, SO
l concluded to return, in hopes of see
ing him slide into the water, as they
usually do, and thus secure his dimen-
sions. But / was greatly surprised
to see the monster rise and plunge into
the water like man taking header.
1t was an unusual performance. l
had heard of such a thing, but III my
was the first plunge l ever really saw.
This, together with his immense size
warned me that l had encountered a
dangerous enemy.
"He struck the water about twenty
five feet from the boat, and as he
passed under it 1 felt and heard his
rough scale-like hide rub on the keel
of the boat. Instantly l thought my
time had come; all the blood in my
body rushed to my heart and it beat
against my ribs as though it would
come out If he should capsize the
boat would have never lived to write
this episode. He came up about
twenty five feet ON the other side, and
turned toward the boat He churned
the water with his tail until the lake
looked like Buttermilk Falls. knew he
was mad and that he was determined
to get at me. He came towards the
boat with his jaws wide open at such
speed that if he had struck it it would
have gone to pieces. Death, horrible
death, was staring me in the face, and
no help at hand. There were some
people on the opposite shore watching
the battle, but they had no boat, and
if they had they could not have reached
me in time to be of any service.
81 realized that must keep cool if
would win the fight. I suddenly be-
came as strong as a lion, my jaws set
and my teeth ground on each other.
As Ps came near the boat pulled on
my 7off oar with all my might. This
swung the boat around so we passed
each other side by side. He was going
at such speed that he went fifteen or
twenty feet before he turned and then
he had to make large circle, flashing
the water into foam. tried to get
away from him, but he was between the
boat and the shore and it would be
folly to push toward the middle of the
lake. He was disappointed, mad. fur
ious, and came for the canoe with re.
newed vigor. l must either kill or be
killed.
81 again pulled on my off oar, and
what made the situation more desperate,
the other oar slipped from its lock and
slid into the lake. There was no time to
be lost in trying to recover it. for in
another instant the battle would be
lost or won, man or gator. Quick as
lightning I raised the remaining oar
and brought it down with all my pow
or, aiming for his eyes, 1t fell short
of the mark, but struck him on the end
of the nose He spurted blood and
hesitated. That was fatal to him, for
the next instant l struck him across
the eyes, He stopped, and commenced
sinking, and another blow sent him
out of sight.
''The spot was watced for some days
and at last he was found summing him.
self in his old bed, when he was shot.
He measured IA feet and was thought
to be 80 years old. The old alligator
hunters say that he attacked tho boat
because it was red, so for future safety
painted Red Rover white. l send
you photograph of the old fellow,
taken the afternoon he was shot.-N.
Y. Press.