The Brandon news., 1908-03-12


and crouched at my feet.
| Just then. not Ave feet distant
from where I stood, a great british
head protruded from that inky
water-a sight never to be forgotten!
That black and moss-grown skull.
those evil eyes, with their blood-chill-
Ing stare-so near that could have
touched the creature!
Appalled,, I drew back shuddering,
and crying out to Dandy, who again
nearly overthrow me in his haste, I
clambered over the branches of the
fallen tree, leaving my tripod behind
in my flight, with the intention 0f
running back to the mainland.
! was too late. Already attracted
by the cries of the alligators
are very fond of dog-1esh-three of
these great brutes had crawled out
from their nearby hiding-places in
the swamp, and now lay stretched
upon the bit OF land over which we
must pass in order to reach the
shore. Yes, even as I paused, be-
| wildered, and with my heart in my
1
hideous creatures were swimming
rapidly toward the spot. All, Dandy.
Dandy! You tried so hard in your
| doggish way to warn me that danger
was near, but your cries only made
matters worse!
| Alligators in front, alligators be-
hind. Whittier were we to fly? T
stumbled against the PROSTATE tree
top-happy thought! In less time
than 1T takes to write the words both
Dandy and | had scrambled up the
struggling branches like two nimble
| cats Here was safety, such as it
was, for we were some eight feet
| above the surface of the swamp.
Partly from pity and partly to
check his ear-piercing cries, / snug
| gled Dandy in my arms; but when at
fast | ventured to look down, the
sight made me grow sick. I dared
not try to count the alligators, but
there seemed to be twenty or more
gray and scaly forms creeping and
shufi1lng about on that narrow strip
OF half-dried mud, Kissing, blowing
| and shifting the air angrily for the
scent of the canine prey which they
could not reach.
The sun was really sinking, as the
| increasing gloom portended. l col
! lected my scattered wits, and tried
to plan the best way to pass the
inevitable night
Fortunately I had brought with
me Jacket, which / had slipped on
when the chill of the swamp had
struck me. This would in a measure
protect me from the night cold; then.
| too, Dandy would help to keep me
warm. So I propped myself as com
fortably as possible in the crotch
where the tree trunk had spanned
| Off, fastened myself to a strong up-
right branch by passing the strap
round 1t and then about my waist.
This would at least keep me from
| falling should / chance to faint or
lose myself in sleep.
How many of those long, weary
hours passed / had no way of iudg-
ing, but at last, worn out with IA
| tigue, | felt deadly chill creeping
over me. Suddenly the little dog
moved in my arms, and licked nv
hand softly. He seemed uneasy, and
stretched up his head, as if begging
to look beyond me. I humored his
wish. For moment he stood mo-
tlonless, with his paws upon my
shoulder. Then, to my amazement,
he whined-not a whine of distress.
but one of pleasure. Yes, he was even
then wagging slowly his stump of a
| tai, while his whole body quivered
with excitement ~sessas.s.ssssssa. ~,.-~ =
Loosening the safety-strap with
my benumbed fingers, twisted about
in the tree seat, and saw-a light.
Fascinated, l watched the glow,
which grew brighter | tried to cry
out. To my dismay I found myself
speechless! The chill and nervous
shock had in way stiffened my
throat and tongue. I strained and
fought to overcome the temporary
paralysis which was like dreadful
nightmare, for shout l must. That
light meant rescue If l could only
make myself heard. ~<@~v-s4..-.s--r4--. 4
Some p" gator men, were out hunt
ing, and l knew that the light was
from their jack-lantern, which was
fastened at the bow of the boat. The
jack serves to attract the crea-
lures, or at least to fascinate them
so that they remain motionless until
the hunters come within shooting dis
| tance.
The boat came near, then turned
to go off in another direction. Now
or not at all must / cry out, or it
would pass out of sight and hearing.
Beating at my throat with my
hands, I finally threw off that dread
| full cramp, and a shrek for help
that could have been heard a mile
| it seemed to me-came mercifully to
my lips; and as it echoed through
| the swamp, the boat stopped / heard
negro's frightened voice:
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