The new South-news., 1908-03-14

Jus, then. not nvs feet distant
from whore ] stood. = great british
head pro'ruded from that inky
waf"r--a sight never 10 be forgottcn'
That black and moss grown skull,
those evil eyes. with their blood chill
ing s,are--so near that / could have
touched the creature'
Appalled,. drew back shudderlng.
and crying out 10 Dandy. who again
nearly overthrow me in his haste. |
clam bcrcd over the branches OF the
fallen tree, leaving my tripod behind
in my Eight. with the intention Of
running back 10 the mainland.
was too late Already attracted
by the cries Of the dog-alliga,ors
are very fond OF dog-fesh-threc Of
these great brutns 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 ! paused, be-
~ildcred, and with my heart In my
throat. ! ga~ that four more OF these
hidcouH creatures were swimming
rapidly toward the spot. All. Dandy.
Dandy You tried 80 hard In your
dogglHh way TO warn me that danger
was near, but your cries only made
matters worse'
Alligators IN front. alligators be-
hind whittier we're we to fyg
stumbled against the PROSTATE tree
top-hnppy thought In less time
than u takes to write the words both
Dandy and I had scrambled up the
struggling branches like two nimblc
cats. Here was safety. such as II
was. for We were some eight feet
above the surface OF the swamp.
Partly from pity and partly TO
check HE car-piorcing cries. snug
gled Dandy In my arms. but when AT
last venturcd TO look down. the
sight made me grow sick | dared
not Try 10 count the alligators. but
there seemed to be twenty or more
gray and scaly forms creeping and
shutting about on that narrow strip
OF half-dried mud. kissing. blowing
and smiling the air angrily for the
scent OF the canine prey which they
could not reach
The sun was really sinking. ms the
Increasing gloom portendcd. | col
iected my scattered wits. and tried
to plan the best way to pass the
Inevitable night.
Fortunately I had brought with
me a 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 ! propped myself as COM
iortably as possible IN the crotch
where the tree trunk had spanned
on, fastened myself 10 n strong up-
right branch by passing the strap
round II 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
honra passed ! had 10 way Of iudg.
ing. but at last. worn out with "a
ugue, felt deadly chill creeping
over me. Suddenly the little dog
moved In my arms. and licked my
hand softly. He seemed uneasy. and
stretched up his head. as il begging
to look beyond me. | humored his
wish For moment he stood mo-
uonless, with his paws upon my
shoulder, Then. to my amazement.
he whincd--not n whine of distress.
but one OF pleasure. Yes. he was even
then wagging slowly his stump of a
tail, while his whole body quiyered
with excitement.
Looscning the safety-strap with
my bennmbcd fingers. twisted about
In the tree seat, and saw light,
Fascinated. watched the glow.
which grew brighter. tried to cry
out. To my dismay | found myself
sneechless' The chill and nervous
shock had In way stiffened my
throat and tongue. ] strained and
fought TO overcome the temporary
paralysis which was like dreadful
nightmare. for shout | must. That
light meant rescue II could only
make myself heard.
Some gator men" were out hunt
ing. and | knew that the light was
'''h' '"''i l"'h-iant'fu. WniCn was
fastened at the bow OF the boat. The
jack serves 10 attract the crea-
turcs. or at least To fasciuate them
so that they remain motionlcss until
the hunters come within shooting dis
tance
The boat came near. then turned
to 20 on In another direction. Now
or not at all must | cry out. or it
would pass out of sight aud hearing.
Beating at my throat with my
hands. | finally threw on chat dread
tul cramp. and shrek for help
that could have been heard a mile
II seemed to mc-came mercifuli, TO
my lips, and as it echoed through
the swamp. the boat stopped heard
a negro's frightened voice:
who das Who dag"
Again ! could not speak. but DAN
dy's yapring bark rang sharply.
Then a white mans voice cried.