Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1886 — Alligators. [ARTICLE]

Alligators.

l Of late years alligator leather has come into extensive use as material for traveling bags, and all fancy conveniences. Alligator-hunting in the South is, therefore, pursued with considerable profit. The Florida native, or “cracker,” as lie is called, selects a dark, quiet night, and entering his skiff or “dug-out,” places a small iron grate, or cage, securely in the boAv. Next he fills the cage Avith dry pine knots, or “lightAvood,” and deposits a plentiful supply in the bottom of the boat. Then, Avitlr a companion to toav him, lie loads bis rifle carefully, and, seated in tlie boiv of the boat right behind the jack light, gives the order to push off. With his rifle cocked and in readiness, they push silently ahead. Soon what appears to be the end of a log appears a feAv rods in front. The boat drifts sloivly forward until the little sharp eyes of a “gator” shine forth from the log-like head. He is immovable, transfixed, as it were, by tbe bright glare; and noAV is the time to shoot. Aiming carefully, either at the eye or behind the fore leg, he pulls the trigger—the deed is done; the huge reptile awakes from his lethargy. A gurgling roar, like that of a bull, a violent plunge and powerful lashings of the long tail, indicate that be has received his death Avound. After this flurry, Avhich lasts perhaps half an hour, the body immediately sinks to the bottom. To prevent this he is secured by a rope and anchored safely. When a sufficient number have been shot the “cracker” proceeds to skin his game. He takes a sharp knife, and, making an incision on either side from .behind the fore leg, removes the silvergray skin from the belly and sides, the armored skin on the back and tail being useless. Then, securing the teeth, he returns home; and, after salting the hides* they are ready for the “commission man,” Avho, after paying the hunter about $2 per skin, packs them and ships them North. One of their physical peculiarities is their bullet-proof armor. The upper parts of tlieir slimy bodies are covered with a tojxgli, bony series of oblong plates, joined together by thick, pliable skin. With the expressive mouth gaping from “eye to eye,” and switching his poAverful tail as he waddles along the sandy shore, he is Iruly a most repulsive and formidable creature. The “ ’gator’s” upper jaw is jointed, thus enabling him to seize his prey while resting his chin upon the surface. He eats little or nothing in winter, but in summer is fond of decayed flesh of all kinds. He is unable to tear or chew fresh meat, OAving to the formation of his sharp, Avhite teeth, forty in all, the upper ones lying exposed over the lower jaw, and the loAver teeth fitting "’into holes in the upper jaw. For these reasons he carries his victim to his lonely haunts and there Avaits patiently until decomposition sets in.— Anon.