The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-05-04

THE GATOR BAITERS.
By CHARLES TENNEY JACKSON.
e1&~HH NNNeNe

the bateau up the muddy run and
getting the reptile into it. 1t was
hard work, but they rolled and
hauled him to the bank, and at last
into the John-boat.
1t was almost sunset, and the mos
quitoes were stinging viciously.
Allen agreed to paddle the bateau
down to camp, while the captain
dashed ahead in the pirogue to get
their supper before dark, for then
the mosquitoes would drive them un-
der their netting. So, in the still,
warm evening, Allen worked the fat
ended bateau slowly on with the
tide. He had his camera and pre-
cious plates with him on the rear
seat, and Ponto, the captains pointer
pup, was at the other end. Between
them, on his back, with the end of his
snout not twenty inches from Aliens
feet, lay the prize gator.
The old bateau was heavily laden,
and Captain Fowb had warned Allen
to keep the gator still. On his back
the brute seemed harmless enough;
for half an hour he hardly moved,
Kissing now and then and twitching
his tail. The dog watched this move
ment with interest. He bit at it once
or twice and playfully dashed down,
swapping at the gators hind foot.
Get away, there!" shouted the
boatman. "Pont-let him bel"
But the pup took the gators
twitching for challenge. Again he
raced off the seat, and this time
seized the captive's leg on the inner
side, where it was unprotected and
sensitive. And as he shook and
growled at the loose skin, the big
gator did an astonishing thing. He
made one convulsive plunge, kicked
Ponto, yelping, clear to the bow, and
broke the bonds from his fore legs
as if they had been twine. And his
tail got above the boards and struck
blow that smashed the beading and
half-turned him over at the same
time.
Allen dashed upright on his rear
seat, for the big snout was thrust
within six inches of his knees in the
struggle. He seized his camera and
holder and held them above the
struggle. The gator thrashed and
tore, and every move righted him,
until he was over and on his legs,
raising his gagged jaws and Kissing
like a steam-engine. Then he began
a side smash of his head, and Allen
saw the block of decayed wood
crumbling in his teeth. He was
scared then. He stood up with his
precious camera and yelled.
The old bateau was now in the
wide, placid bayou. A mile or more
below the camp, but the tide was
taking the John-boat into the
wash" neck of water leading to
an unnamed lake or bay of Bara-
taria's main water. This was unin-
habited and had no chores except the
trembling prairie"
To Aliens shouts no answer came.
He looked down at the gator, which
was now quiet, but champing the
rope and wood from his mouth. And
at the other end of the boat the pup,
taking Aliens cries for encourage
ment, made another valiant sally at
the gators legs. 1t stirred the big
fellow up. He raised his head and
tail. Kissing viciously, and made the
bateau rock with his floundering.
BE still, Pont!" cried Allie.
"Down-there! If he ever lunges
over, he'll capsize us, and the sharks
will get you!'
Allen was not so much afraid OF
the sharks as of losing his priced
plates and costly camera. The gator
had entire possession of the John
boat except the eight-inch seat .on
which Allen stood. And then he dis
covered despairingly that the paddle
was lost-there was not "a thing to
guide the boat. And as they neared
the other shore, the salt-marsh mos
quitoes came out in clouds and bit
him from head to foot. In few
minutes his brow was covered with
blood from smashing them, and his