Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-07-17
REAR VERSUS ALLIGATOR.
=, 7IERCE FIGHT IN A LoU1NIANA
BAYOU.

=, zIKRCE FIGHT m A Lou1S1ANA
BAYOU.
While Drinking Bruin IL Attacked
by . Huge Ssurlan-A Duel to the
Death. s-.-.~
IVVIALTER d. KNAPP givel
\N/ in the New York Post g
v " vivid description of &
fierce encounter between
:. bear and an alligator which he wit
aesssd while hunting with Q friend IN
Louisiana. Says Mr.. Klapp:
While lazily enjoying our siestn We
we're suddenly startled by . loud
crashing in the bushes on the other
side of the bayou. Snatohing mp our
rifles, we rushed to the waters edge
Just in time to see a large black bear
some ont of the cane brake and walk
Ieisurely 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
70 secure SO enviable . prize.
The bear climbed into Q low tre&
that grew out of the side Of the bank,
and proceeded to crawl out on Q stout
limb overhanging the bayou. His
weight bent the thick limb till it
dipped into the water, and the bear
,quatted himself on the interlacing
branches and began tapping vigorous
ly. So eagerly did he drink, and so
were We watching him, that
neither noticed a 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
onslaught was SO sudden
that the bear had no time to clinch
MS hold on the tree, and SO he tum-
oled headforemost into the water, and
q complete somersault, fell on
his back at some distance from the
alligator.
In falling he had jerked himself fre,
rom the alligator's teeth, and now he
began to make frantic efforts to swim
20 shore. But the alligator, with one
iirt Of his tail, was upon him again,
his time seizing him by . forepaw
md crushing it like An eggshell. We
,ould hear the bones crack. The bear
Uttered . terrific howl Of pain and
age, and with his other paw gave the
alligator . blow which sent his long
body flying through the air for con-
distance. This short respite
he bear utilized in padding violently
or the shore, for he was at . deadly
in the water against the
lightning speed of the alligator in his
native element. If he could only gain
he ahore, it would soon be ''his pic
lic," for the alligator cannot turn
his little stumpy legs being
90 far apart.
Like flash the alligator caught thu
,ear by his hind leg. They were now
n a place where the water was shallow
'ver hidden sand-bsr, 50 the fight wss
! little more even. With Q vicious
narl the bear turned ON his back, and,
double, caught the alligator
" the soft white flesh of his throat
t was now the bears turn to bite, and
,ite he did with such good will that
he blood spurted in streams and the
!lligator, letting 60 the foot he had
,een chewing, emitted series of howls
hat made the woods ring. Then the
light grew fercer The alligator beat
, l.,,l xo& 60 -, -
ough hide, but they were at such close
quarters that he could not give it swing
enough to break any bones. He was
working around to q better
position, however. and suddenly
planted a vicious blow square on the
,reast that eent the bear flying head
,ver heels into deep water. He was
lp in q second and both rushed to-
,ether. The bear again sought the
.lligator's soft throat, and with his
harp teeth tore great mouthfuls OF
bleeding flesh.
Now, we thought, the victory vii.
urely be with the bear. He certainly
lid seem to have the best Of it. The
lligator used what breath had not
'een squeezed out Of him believing
ike bull. The sounds he uttered
we're SO full of rage that the waterfowl
nd small animals near the bayou fed
n alright. The two struggled back
nd forth. The water was lashed into
oam by the furious beating Of the
lligator's tail. Straining and strug-
ling, this way and that, suddenly tho
mass Of ferocity slipped of
+ Ie narrow strip Of sand and was in
leep water again. Now the conditions
re reversed and the advantage on the
ide Of the alligator again. With a
nake-like twist OF his 1.-the body
70 slipped from the bears
lutches nnd, wheeling around, the
ong, powerful tail flashed for an In
tant in the oir and descended with
rnshing force full on the back Of the
ear. Tho thick backbone snapped
Ike C. reed. With the cry Of human
eing in distress the bear rolled over,
mp aud Gfeless, and sank to the bot.
ON like stone, and the fight was
yer.
The victor, apparently lfeless
Dated motionless on the surface OF
ne water-an alligator always floats
hen dead-so we were preparing 20
,ave, when o low moan recalled us
nd we found him in great pain and
owly bleeding to death from his Ia
Grated thront. Tho water for many
ards around was dyed crimson with |
is blood and his moaning WAS p:tiful
} hear. We deemed it an act OF
lercy to kill him, and a well-directed
ullet In the eye soon put an end to
is sufferings.
Upon drawing him ont Of the waite.
ad measuring him, he was found to
reich o full sixteen feet from tip to !
p, one Of the largest known
he Teeth Tell If q Snakes TenomouA
There ia a oerfain pbvs;oloo;oo1 ,l1H