ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES. 69 
The skin hunters kill alligators at night, using a light with which 
they are able to ‘‘ shine” their eyes. The alligator does not fear a 
light, and as the boat approaches within a few feet of the animal it 
is shot without difficulty. Thousands are killed annually in this 
manner, and their skins are shipped North or sold to intermediate 
dealers in Jacksonville and vicinity at the rate of ten cents per run- 
ning foot. The much more sportsman-like way of hunting the 
alligator is by ‘ still-hunting ” them in the daytime, paddling silently 
up the creeks and rivers, where at times they may be found asleep 
or sunning themselves on the banks. In places where they have 
been much hunted this is by no means easy to do. Where the alli- 
gators have not been disturbed they are tame and lazy, and I have 
passed within a few feet of several that gazed stupidly at me without 
attempting to leave the bank. A good rifle is the proper weapon 
with which to hunt alligators. I prefer a 45 Winchester, either 
45-70 or 45-90, which has power enough to kill the animal and not 
merely wound it and allow it to escape and die. A shot striking the 
eye or any portion of the head so as to penetrate the brain is almost 
instantly fatal. Itis rare that a shot in the body will stop an alli- 
gator where he lies, and it is not advisable to shoot at the body if 
the head is exposed. The old idea that a rifle-ball would glance 
from the skin of an alligator does not apply to modern weapons. 
If a rifle-ball strikes fairly it will penetrate the skin without diffi- 
culty and will sometimes pass completely through the body. 
Before closing my remarks on large alligators I will refer to an 
entry which I once saw in the register of the Brock House. 
In the old days, when transportation was more difficult than it is at 
present, the Brock House was about the end of civilization and was 
a twenty-four hours’ trip by boat from Jacksonville. It was at that 
time a great resort for sportsmen, who were attracted there by the 
fishing and shooting to be had in the vicinity. The old register, 
which extended back a great many years, contained some queer 
records, some of them of doubtful veracity. Among others, some 
one has written : ‘‘ March 19, 1872, killed a large alligator, the 
largest seen here this year ; the stomach contained a boot, a piece 
