Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1912-08-15

tie to say, News of the outside world
interests them not bit.
A high-power rifle, long steel rod
sharpened at one end and stout gan,
larger and much stronger than the
gar used by fishermen constituted the
weapons Of the gator hunters. Inc
hide OF an alligator must not be mu-
tilated II 1t is to bring dollar or two
to the hunters, and for that reason
there was not a spear in the camp
such as one of the party had expected
to see.
In Muck and Mire.
Maybe so we can seem catch ga
tor" remarked our guide. Maybe 20
you offer EN- money an go catch one
while you here"
The guide was authorized to conduct
negotiations.
With several dollars In his hands
he approached the two hunters, who
at first turned away without appar'
emily even glancing at the money.
More cash was added to the little heap
in the hands Of the guide, and then
the gator hunters took notice and be-
gan to show signs Of life.
One of them spoke.
big bull gator out yon," he said,
pointing out on the sea OF waving saw
grass. Il know his hiding place.
Come on"
Jim and Jack, carrying the rifle, the
long steel rod and the gaff, led the
way. Through the prairie slush the
little party walked for possibly a mile.
"Here," and Jim pointed to what
appeared to be a mud hole, where cat
tie or hogs had, to all appearances,
been wallowing.
While the party stood around, Won
dering what caused the strong, musky
odor that filled the air, Jack flshed
around In the wallow with the big
gaff. For half an hour he poked, with
out results Handing the gaff to Jim,
he seized the steel rod and began
stabbing the prairie around the wal
low, burying the weapon deep In the
soft muck time and time again.
"Ah." he shouted as the rod struck
against hard body deep In the mire.
Then he began to push and prod, NUT
tering oaths under his breath the
while.
Suddenly there was a burst OF mud
and water, and from the center of the
wallow rushed a gator six feet long
or more. With a snap of his powerful
laws and below the reptile threshed
around In the muck and mire, throw
ing the saw grass and the water In all
directions With his roaring and bel
lowing came an increased odor OF
musk.
For an instant the saurian paused
in his mad foundering. Instantly
there came a crash from the rifle held
by Jim and the monster rolled over,
shot through the right eye. Before
the body could sink from sight In the
watery muck Jack got busy with the
gatf which he inserted in the mouth
of the reptile, and in less time than
1t takes to tell 1t the gator was lying
out on the prairie, ready for the skin
ming knives of his captors.
Instances have been known In
which large gators have attacked and
killed or severely injured hunters who
have not been lucky enough to kill at
the first shot or have been caught un'
awares while crossing the 'glades.
There Is a tradition Of an Indian hunt
or who, after his legs were bitten on,
saw the same gator make a meal OF
his two children, who had accom-
pauied him on the trip.
The gator was dragged back to the
camp by Jim and Jack, who there pro-
oeeded to skin their victim. An In
cision was made along the belly. from
the head to the tail, and the hide
drawn off backward, over the tail. IN
order that the head might not be In
jured.
But gator hunting is no more prof
dtable. The canals have drained
much of the Everglades, which will
soon be only a memory, and where
once these creatures wallowed In 81
lent security the truck farmer will be-
fore long be ulltng the rich muck
sou. ..