Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1897-12-10
On the Bayou.

| JuCh.
"Never mind. Fido can wait. I
want to get my boat done"
"But it's hot, and poor Fido Is
getting restless for it, said Sue.
"You go without me.
sob, I'm afraid, Jacky."
Thus appealed to Jack held mp the
Prov Of his boat between his eye and
the light, carefully considered his
whitfield shaping, then laid it down.
He was chivarous little gentleman,
besides being very fond of his sister,
two years younger than himself.
The two, with their parents, were
spending the winter in Florida, their
cottage being situated on a bayou
leading back from the st. Johns
| river.
"Come on, then" said Jack, taking
his way to boat moored in the bayou.
"Poor little doggie-does he want q
| plunge in the cool water?"
Fido capered along with them, by
short barks and upward glances say
ing Eyes" as plain as dog could say
| it.
"Be careful, dears," called mother
after them. She could not have said
exactly of what, but this was new
and untried country and it was .
general caution.
As Jack showed the boat from the
shore Fido stood waiting for his share
in the every morning procedure. An
end of the rope which tied the boat
was fastened to his collar.
"Now then-here you CO."
With mighty heave Jack raised
the pet poodle high and gave him q
fling into the water. Down he went
with a splash-and that was the last
which was ever seen of poor Fido.
A black log which lay near had
suddenly become imbued with life.
1t glided close TO the boat and pair
of horrible jaws opened to take in
their prey.
Mr.. Harvey was trimming vines
near the house when the sound OF
wild screams alarmed him. Snatching
his gun, which always stood ready, he
rushed toward the water, to see the
rowboat rapidly moving toward the
river.
What was il? Jack was not using
the oars. A closer glance and his
heart stood still with fear.
Several of his neighbors had spoken
to him of large alligator whose habit
il was to come up the bayou and,
lazily summing himself in the quiet
water, watch for such prey as might
come in his way. As weeks had passed
without the ugly monster showing
himself they had forgotten to be
cautious. And now he saw that the
boat containing his children was being
lowed by line from the alligator's
mouth.
In despair and terror he fred few
Intellectual shots. Then he shouted /:
Hold her-Jack. Don't let her
into the water"
For poor Sue, overcome by her wild
fears, would have thrown herself over
the boatside, and already Jack had
flung his arms around her.
"There, Beauty--keep still. See
fathers coming. He'll get us out
of this"
Neighbors farther down the bayou
heard the shots and rushed out. Lie
down. Lie down In the boat" they
cried, and Jack forced his hali-crazed
sister below reach Of the bullets
which now few over and about them.
Mr.. Harvey sprung into another
boat and followed in pursuit. The
big alligator became frightened aud
plunged this way and that, jerking
the boat about. The bayou was large,
and for nearly half an hour the exciting
chase continued, until ut length Mr..
Harvey contrived to put bullet in
the alligator's eye.
In his wild Aoundering the big
animal threw himself with great force
against the rowbost, throwing the
children into the water.
"Here's father, Sue. Hold fast by
me-dear-"
Jack chung to his sister, putting
forth his last brave effort OF strength
in helping his father as he came with.
in reach OF them TO get her into the
boat Then he still held her, glad
| that no one had time to see the
hysterical quiyer of his lips as he kept
| his agitation in check.
A few more shots and the big slli-
gator would never again brighten q
neighborhood never again breakfast
on q beloved pet.
Father remained with Sue at q
neighbor's until she should have sufli.
GENTLY recovered to walS home, but
Jack hurried to his mother, many
times saying TO himself:
IF had let Sue go alone!'-Chi.