Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-01-15

bear and an alligator Whlch ne VIII
messed while hunting with q friend in
Louisiana. Says Mr.. Klapp:
While lazily enjoying our siesta we
were suddenly startled by loud
crashing in the bushes on the other
side of the bayou. Snatching up our
rifles, we rushed to the waters edge
just in time to see 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 out 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 a complete somersault, fell on
his back Mt 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
fiirt 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. II he could only gain
the shore, it would soon be "his pic
nic," 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 were now
in place where the water was shallow
over hidden sand-bsf, 30 the fight wa.
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.
II was now the bears turn to bite, and
bite he did with such good will that
the blood spurted in streams and the
alligator, letting go the foot he had
been chewing, emitted q series of howl,
that made the woods ring. Then the
fight grew fiercer. The alligator beat
n loud tattoo with his tail on the bears
tough hide. but they were at such close
quarters that he could not give it swing
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
alligator's 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
were 30 full of rage that the waterfowl
and small animals near the bayou fed
in alright. The two struggled back
and forth. The water was lashed into
foam by the furious beating of the
tail. Straining and strug-
Cling, this way and that, suddenly the
mass of ferooity slipped off
OF the narrow strip Of sand and was in
deep water again. Now the conditions
are reversed and the advantage on the
side Of the alligator again. With
twist OF his 1.-the body
he slipped from tho bears
clutches and, wheeling around, tho
long, powerful tail flashed for an in
slant in the air and descended with
force full on the back OF tho
pear. The thick backbone snapped
ike reed. With the cry of human
being in distress the bear rolled over,
imp and lifeless. and sank to the bot.
,om like stone, and the fight was
over.
The victor, apparently lifeless,
loated motionless on the surface OF
he water-an alligator always foats
vhen doad-so we were preparing to
cave, when low moan recalled us
nd we found him in great pain and
ilowly bleeding to death from his la
'eratod throat. The wnter for many
'ards around was dyed crimson with
lis blood and his moaning was p:tifuI
% hear. We deemed it IN net of
mercy to kill him, and q well-directeb
in. th..a