The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-01-10

Y Y vivid description of n
fierce encounter between
n bear and an alligator which he wit.
messed while hunting with friend in
Louisiana. Says Mr.. Klapp:
While lazily enjoying our siesta we
were suddenly startled by a loud
crashing in the bushes on the other
side of the bayou. Snatching mp our
rifles, We rushed to the waters edge
| just in time to see IA large black bear
come out of the cane brake and walk
leisurely to the opposite bank. He
was evidently thirsty, and had sought
the cool waters of the bayou instead
of the easier obtained but hot and
stagnant lake water As he had not
| yet caught sight of us we concluded to
wait developments before attempting
to secure so enviable prize.
The bear climbed into low tree
that grew out of the side of the bank,
and proceeded to crawl ont on stout
limb overhanging the bayou. His
weight bent the thick limb till it
dipped into the water, and the bear
squatted himself on the interlacing
branches and began tapping vigorous
| ly. So eagerly did he drink, and so
intently were we watching him, that
neither noticed fierce swirling of
the water just below, until long black
snout shot suddenly from beneath the
surface and two cleaning rows of
teeth closed on the outstretched muz-
Zle of the bear. The shock of this
unexpected onslaught was so sudden
that the bear had no time to clinch
his hold on the tree, and so he tum-
bled headforemost into the water, and
turning n complete somersault, fell on
his back at some distance from the
alligator.
In falling he had jerked himself free
from the alligator's teeth, and now he
began to make frantic efforts to swim
to shore. But the alligator, with one
tiirt of his tail, was upon him again,
this time seizing him by forepaw
and crushing it like an eggshell We
could hear the bones crack. The bear
uttered a terrific howl of pain and
rage, and with his other paw gave the
alligator blow which sent his long
body flying through the air for con-
siderable distance. This short respite
the bear utilized in padding violently
for the shore, for he was at deadly
disadvantage in the water against the
lightning speed of the alligator in his
native element. If he could only gain
the shore, it would soon be "his pic
mic" for the alligator cannot turn
around, his little stumpy legs being
too far apart.
Like flash the alligator caught the
bear by his hind leg. They we're now
in place where the water was shallow
over hidden sand-bar, so the fight was
little more even. With vicious
snarl the bear turned on his back, and,
bending double, caught the alligator
by the soft white flesh of his throat
1t was now the bears turn to bite, and
bite he dld with such good will that
the blood spurted in streams and the
alligator, letting go the foot he had
been chewing, emitted series of howls
that made the woods ring. Then the
fight grew fiercer. The alligator beat
a loud tattoo with his tail on the bears
tough hide: but they were at such close
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enough to break any bones. He was
gradually working around to better
position, however. and suddenly
planted a vicious blow square on the
breast that sent the bear flying head
over heels into deep water. He was
up in second and both rushed to.
gether. The bear again sought the
alligators soft throat, and with his
sharp teeth tore great mouthfuls of
bleeding flesh.
Now, we thought, the victory will
surely be with the bear. He certainly
did seem to have the best of it. The
alligator used what breath had not
been squeezed out of him believing
like a bull. The sounds he uttered
We're so full of rage that the waterfowl
and small animals near the bayou fled
in alright. The two struggled back
and forth. The water was lashed into
foam by the furious beating of the
alligator's tail. Straining and strug-
Cling, this way and that, suddenly the
writhing mass of ferocity slipped of
of the narrow strip of sand and was in
deep water again. Now the conditions
are reversed ana the advantage on the
side of the alligator again. With a
snake-like twist of his 1.-the body
he slipped from the bears
clutches and, wheeling around, the
long, powerful tail flashed for an in. |
slant in the air and descended with |
crushing force full on the back of the |
bear. The thick backbone snapped |
like q reed. With the cry of human
being in distress the bear rolled over, |
limp and lifeless, aud sank TO the bot
tom like Il stone, and the fight was
over.
The victor, apparently lifeless,
floated motionless on the surface OF |
the water-an alligator always floats
when dead-so We were preparing 10
leave, when low moan recalled rs
and we found him in great pain and
slowly bleeding to death from his la
,erated throat. The water for many
Yards around was dyed crimson with
his blood and his moaning was pitiful
10 hear. We deemed it an act of
mercy to kill him, and well-directed
bullet in the eye soon put an end to
his suiferings.
Upon drawing him out of the water
md measuring him, he was found to
stretch full sixteen feet from tip to
lip, one of the largest known