Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1894 — “Gatored Mules.” [ARTICLE]

“Gatored Mules.”

The Washington News says that a “ ’gatored mule” is, according to Florida dialect, a mule that has been driven partially insane by an alligator. Therfe are hundreds of such demented mules in Florida, and it is a fact that they are never the same after a genuine fright of this sort I helped to ’gator one myself, writes a traveler. I had been staying at Ocala, and finally agreed with several friends to go hunting in the south. Some distance from town we located upon a small stream abounding in ganie. After pitching camp, I went for a walk, and before long I found a ’gator hole. From the strong, musty odor issuing from it, I knew the owner must be at home. I decided to capture him, and called my companions. Several times we rammed a long pole into the buirow. Finaliy we heard a snap like

the report of a gun, and the pole reTfee ’gator had seized it. We tried vainly'to pull him out Then some one suggested that we try our camp mule. The mule was led down to the hole, a chain fastened to him and the pole, and the frightened animal was started. There was a creaking of chain, a roar, and an alligator fully seven feet in length came out with a rush, as the mule started on a wild run for the road. The saurian’s teeth were sunken so deeply in the pole that he could not release himsfif, and away went mule, pole and all. The alligator spun round, hissing like a steam-engine: but he held on, while the mule, thinking himself pursued, snorted and ran. We followed. Into the main street of Ocala flew the mule and his queer load. Completely exhausted, he was stopped by a party of men near the post office. The ’gator was dead. We skinned and stuffed him. The mule recovered, but the sight of a swamp now throws him into a perfect frenzy of terror.