The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-14
The Alligator Hunt
By PROF. CHARLES r. HOLDER,
Author Of The Ivory King" Msrvels of Animal Life Etc

the boat so rapidly to one side that she
almost tipped over. and was now away like
a race horse. headed for the mainland.
with an ominous wave in front that threat
ened now and then TO come aboard and
swamp the light craft. We all laid low.
as far in the stern as we could get. to keep
the bow out OF water while the steed
raced on.
81 knew We would have 10 stop this be-
fore we reached shallow water, as the
animal would make a rush over some shall
low and break the rope; so when we had
gone perhaps half a mile 1 took the line.
passed IL aft and we all began to haul in
This only excited our racer TO more fervent
efforts. and he turned suddenly, again al
most tipping over the boat. We gradually
gained on him until finally the boats bow
was just over his slashing tail that was
beating the surface with powerful lateral
blows and forcing him along. We had
rife in the boat. and my man now took IL
and. aiming at the neck. fired. There was
little doubt as to its effect. as the crocodile
stopped. plunged head down, striking the
bottom in the shallow water. and. seeming
ly standing on it's head. swept the surface
ready and backed. but not before one
had been struck and broken and the boat
nearly filled.
"All at once" continued the planter
after short pause. "our game righted and
plunged ahead savagely, then swan In q
circle, and finally keeled over. whereupon
we raised shout Of triumph and hauled
alongside. He was a beauty-not twenty
feet long. by any means. but at least If
teen; a splendid specimen OF sea-going
crocodile. AS he was too large to tow In.
1t was decided to haul him aboard. To ac-
complish this the seats were lifted out and
a rope made fast to his tail. and he was
then slowly and carefully hauled In: fin
ally. when the body was balanced across
the boat, he was slung around and dropped
in lengthwise. The seats were then put on
top of the body. and, flushed with victory.
we started for camp. now in sight.
cit was rather difficult to use the oars.
as the animal was higher than the gun
vale. but we made fairly satisfactory
progress. and were close enough to camp
to shout the news. when the unexpected
happened-an earthquake would not have
created greater CONSERVATION The dead
crocodile rose into the air as IL impelled
from below. forming q great hoop ana
lifting seats and oarsmen several feet, then
dropped back and began a series Of strug-
giles that turned the tables completely.
Selling the forward seat In its jaws. Il
ground and twisted the soft pine. while the
powerful tail carried devastation wherever
1t struck. and presently the water poured
in sending US all overheard. jumped just
ahead Of the flying tail that sounded like
a whiplash when II struck. the other men
either falling or rolling overheard.
fortunately the water was not over
three feet in depth, so we waded to q
safe distance. and. powerless 70 do any
thing, awaited the end. 1t soon came. The
crocodile cleared the decks. literally, re-
gained its upright position and crawled
over, sinking the boat, which rolled and
dumped him into his natural element. when
with rush he was off. AS the boat moved
away we flung ourselves after her. cling
ing to the rail, and for a short distance
the saurian towed US ALL But the boat.
full of water, was too much for q long
tow, and he soon quieted down and be-
gan to swim in circle while we towed
the boat in shore. We finally reached near
enough to get a rope. which we fastened
to the boat and to a tree. Then we held
a council of war.
1.-THE crocodile was at the bottom. In .
little pool about four feet deep. still LASH
! ing his tail and rising at any attempt to
drag him up. but the rope was still about
his tail. and. after much difficulty. was
secured and made fast to another rope:
then at the word the entire party walked
away, dragging the fighting. thoroughly
enraged animal up the beach, where a rife
bullet really gave him his quietus. Some
of the party thought the animal had been
paralyzed at the first shot and suddenly
came to; but an old alligator hunter told
me later that that crocodile had been play
ing possum."
Pasadena, Cal