Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1901-04-04
AN|GHT IN THE SWAMP

Tom was quite content with admlrlng
the luscious golden oranges and fine
lemons which grew so thickly upon the
beautiful emerald-leaved trees. He en-.
joyed watching the darkies as they
picked and packed the fruit ready for
shipment,
The interest began to lag in those
prosaio matters, and he longed, boy
like, for adventure.
With this desire paramount, he in
vaded the plney woods with his shot
gun, and succeeded in ferreting out
Aocks of quails and droves of rabbits,
which furnished him plenty of oppor-
tunity to prove his skill at quick aim.
In short while he had become quite
an adept at this style Of hunting.
One day a>native hunter, to whom all
the wild country about was but as
printed book, came to thelplan:ation.
Tom made his acquaintance, and the
result was that Jim Baker-that was
his name-invited Tom to join him in
deer hunt the next night in the great
Wekiva Swamp, vast and trackless
waste.
At first Mr.. Raymond did not feel
disposed to let Tom 60.
But little persuasion soon induc' d
him to change his mind, which he would
not have done had he not known Baker
to be very reliable man.
Together they set out for the swamp,
and, after tramp of couple Of hours,
| ONE to the shores of the Wekiva river
which led directly into the swamp.
Here from n clump Of reeds the guide
produced boat.
Now, Tom,' said the deer hunter, u
reckon you had better get the torch
ready in the bow, while paddle. All
readyT
Let her gov cried Tom, readily, and
the boat was showed out into the cur
rent.
Tom made ready the torch of pitch
pine, and, by Bakers direction, adjusted
it in the bow Of the boat.
It was Bakers plan to visit certain
part of the swamp, where the river wild
ened into lake, and where the deer
came down at midnight to drink.
1t was not quite dark,
| There was no moon, which made the
night all the more fayorable for deer
hunting. That dense mist, which al
ways settles down in the swamp lands
of Florida, was SO thick that one could
alrost cut it with a knife.
The very moment that the boat left
shore, Tom could no more haye told
where they were than he could have
taken flight to the moon.
>Whewv he calculated, u cant see
anything but the water about the bow
of the boat How can you tell where
we are going. Baker:
vThis is home to me- declared the
hunter. YOU could net lose me In this
swamp. l could get through It blind
folded
u don't believe I could ever know it
we'll enough for that
'Ob, yes, you could. You're right
smart slip Of boy. Ah, steady there
That was heap big one, warent he?
Tom had been conscious Of the pres
ence of some large body, heard strange,
hoarse believing sound, and caught a
glimpse Of a huge pair of jaws as the
boat swept past them. and knew that
they had intercepted the course OF a
huge bull alligator.
! >Heavensv exclaimed the New York
boy with a shiver. >Su2roslng he had
tackled us. boat and all, he could have
made meal of u.s.
u reckon he could replied Baker,
unctuously. But you needn't be afeerd
Alligators never'll pick up muss with
you if you only let 'em alone
The night air resounded with all sorts
of hidous cries and noises.
In turn Baker explained them.
>Hesr that" he cried. Don't it
sound like child crying2 Well, it's the
call of panther. Hear that growl in
the brake2 That's bear. There's an
other, some kind of night bird. ALI
that believing like wild bulls is made
by alligators.
Tom experienced cold shiver.
Already he began to repent his fool
hardness in coming into the swamp
This feeling was enhanced mament
later when Baker suddenly sprang up
in the boat with cry of alarm.
Al Lo1;nua that hio