The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-12-20
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.

y
ing time, not wishing to spare one Of
the men from work to go to town every
day for mail, l made small cypress
boat, not more than ten feet long. 1t
was so light and easy-going that l could
cover the distance of one mile in nine
minutes. After had the boat finished
l 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.
l noticed slight motion as l 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 l 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 thing, but in my
ten years residence ON the lake this
was the first plunge 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 / felt and heard his
rough scale-like hide rub ON the keel
of the boat Instantly 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 l 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. 1 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, a 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. / suddenly be-
came as strong as lion, my jaws set
and my teeth ground on each other.
AS he came near the boat pulled on
my off 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 a large circle, flashing
the water into foam. l 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. 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 ant
, slid into the lake. There was no time tt
| be lost in trying to recover it, for il
another instant the battle would b,
lost or won, man or gator. Quick a
lightning l raised the remaining GA
and brought it down with all my pow
8 er, aiming for his eyes. 1t fell shor
of the mark, but struck him ON the en-,
I of the nose. He spurted blood ant
l hesitated. That was fatal to him, TO
the next instant l struck him acros
: the eyes. He stopped, and commence
I a sinking, and another blow sent hi1
out of sight.
, 1.-THE spot was watced for some day
and at last he was found summing him
Q self in his old bed, when he was shot
He measured IA feet and was though
+ to be so years old. The old alligato
!. hunters say that he attacked the boa
d because it was red, so for future safet
l painted Red Rover white. l sen
you photograph of the old fellow
o taken the afternoon he was shot.-N
Q Y. Press.