The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-02-01
FLORIDA GIRLS.

Not long ago two Florida girls con.
clnled to take IA days hunt in the Great
Aurantula hammock, the upper edge of
which touches the river. Starting out
early, they made good progress, and by 8
o'clock were in the midst of the wild
hammock. During the forenoon they
had luck-killing a deer, a wildcat, 10
big gray squirrels and several enormous
snakes. After taking a monday lunch
they decided to cross over Alligator
creek, a wide but shallow stream that
crosses the hammock, emptying into the
W~ithlacochee. Just before reaching the
creek they had to pass through a 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 it's heels
was a big black bear, fierce and ugly as
1t could be. The path was 50 narrow
that they had no chance to fight the ami
NAL, and in fact the dog and Dear came
in on them so suddenly that little time
was allowed for reflection.
Miss Josie slung her rifle around and
fired at the beast, but in the confusion
only wounded him. The girls than ran
ahead intendino r. yot u,t on to +bo
open bank by the waters edge, SO as to
get a fair ground to battle old bruin.
But the Infatuated animal. aroused to
madness bv the rifle ball. pursued Them
SO closely that only scientific dodgiu,
saved them from IA close hug. Emerging
from the path, they noticed the boat used
to cross the creek living rirht in front Of
them. and both of the girls. struck with
the same idea, sprans into it, their I'M
pctus CARVING it out INTO the creek.
The dog was unable to ret into thu
boat, bat he bit at bruins heels SO sharp,
" that thu. latter had 10 stop his nur-,It
of tire gIll, and cndruvur to punish his
tour footed a>.liIant. But the dog Wa,
, foo wary and Erut ont of his reach 11a
girls called hlm, and plun5ing in lie
swan u to them. Meanwhile the ltn-
Sry drnlzcns Of the creek. whose niul-
bcrs gave it its name were awakened by
the tumult, and they began to show
themselves. AS the dog jumped in, the
splash attracted scores of the ugly rep
tiles from all directions, and the water
was dotted by the black shouts of the
hungry gators.
The girls noticed this and called en-
couraginglv to their dog, who seemed to
be fully aware of his LANCER. Several
black noses were already pointed in his
direction, and it looked if the gators
might get a meal. But Vida seized the
pole living at the bottom of the canoe
and by a skillful push sent the boat close
to the dog. Josie Was waiting, and a.
tbs dog swan up she helped him TO
Chamber over the side, almost upsetting
the frail vessel. And it was lust in time,
too, for Just as the dogs legs slipped
out of the water IA huge pair of laws rose
out of the depths with an ominous snap.
With a souse the disaDpointed sanrian
sank.
While this was poino on brpin s+ood
on the hank yrowlipp and snarl,ng in
imnotent rape at the do, and OWLS IN.
escaning Seaing tho doc in 1bo conoo
seemed to render him still mora fnr;o,s
and with q deem ,,rowI he dashed into
tho wafer and hegan SWIMMING tou,rd
the boat the hear and +ba
oators the girls hogan 70 think their
hands yonld he f,u vida nicLad m
her mr. and made a snan shot at tho ami,
NAL Int q movement IF the doc d;scon.
certed her aim. and the load of bnckshot
few to one side, only a small number
striking the bear, But they angered him
the more and with a snarl he almost
leaned out Of the water in his mad eager
ness 70 reach the boat.
Wilda dronned the g,7n and ,ickinao
mn the nole soon placed the boat q rod
ahead Of the pursuing animal. .Josie had
again reloaded her gun. and she turned
TO deliver his ouietrs to the animal Rnt
the commotion in the water and tho
hears evident d;souietnde mt q naw faca
on matters and she withheld her fro
The dogs ~velninp and the hears grovl.
inc had evidently awakened the sco1v
denizens of the crack IN a eal;zir, sors,
that it was mealtime. Missing the doc
thew were not averse m he.r mo.t
brnin. in his hurry to catch b;s frst
nrev. had paid little attention tn wh.t
might befal. him in the creek. Bnt now