Alligator Platt

Among one of the oldest and best-knowi of 'gator hunters in South Florida is the individual who earned the sobriquct of "Alligator Platt." Ho was a terror to the saurlan trlbe, says ihe St. Louis Glultt-Dtmocral, and what he didn't know of these ugly-looking reptiles andtheir habits, haunts and species amountcd to vcry little. Platt was a medium-sized man, rather slim, with the genus "cracker" writton all ovor his jolly face. He gcnerally dressed ia an odd fashiou, with pan taloons made of dressed alligatorskin, and a huntlüg shirt or coat of pantherskin beauUfully taimt-i. He was a queer genius, and always dehghted in some daraderil act that would make the nativcs talk about him. Joshua and Poace creeks, In Manatee County, were his favorito grounds, as alligators were very numerous there. It U related of him that his favorita methods of capturinf ths sauriana were as follows; Steallng along tho bank of the creek, he would watch the water closely for any sign of his game. Probably he would aoon notice the alr-bubbles on the surface that denoted a 'gator' presenoe, and then ha would slnk behind something close to tho water's edge and awalt developmenu. Soon the black snout of the 'gator would riso up sluwly and cautiously, hardly raising a ripple. Then his eyes would appear, and, if the coust was clear and h scented no danzar, his entire body would riso lnto sight, and he would float on tha water. Then Platt'a opportunity would come. He would rise to hls ioot, doft hU coat, and as the startled 'gator would sink the huntcr would divo head first. Soon the waters would bc stirred up and a wild commotion would show that a great con bat of somo kind was going on down there. In a few moment Platt would appear, riding triumphantly the big 'gator, whlch he would guide to the shore, where lt would bc dispatchod. When once he had gotten his thumb into the 'gator'a eyes all was plain sailing, and the new and novel steed would be gcntle and quietas donkey. Platt is also occredited with the feat of going lnto the 'gators' " front door" la their big mud-holes and dragging them out without so niuch as saying " by your leave." While all tbis is doubtles tha remains of his exagporated camp-fire stories, yet it is said that he was utterly fear tess, and that in his combat with 'the '({ tors he would display what would teéta foolhardiness to those not so well ao quaintcd with tho reptilo's habits. Ea ha been known, tima and timo again, on wagen, to diva lnto small ponds where 'gators were known to be, armcd with only his big hunting-knife, and kill one beiore coming to tha surface- generally by getting under them and slitting up tho bclly, or lse driving tha kniie up to the hilt in the brain, just back of the eyes. Tha darlog old Nimrod has lonr go abandoneu 'gatorhunting. and is now enjoying hfe on ouo of tht key near Key West.