CURIOUS DWELLER* OE SWAMP AND FOREST. 151 



10. I now told them we would run all risks, and have 

 him on land immediately. They pulled again, and out he 

 came. This was an interesting moment. I kept my po- 

 sition firmly, with my eyes fixed steadfast on him. By this 

 time he was within two yards of me. I saw ho was in a 

 state of fear and perturbation. I instantly dropped the 

 mast, sprang up, and jumped upon his back, turning half 

 round as I vaulted, so that I gained my seat in the right 

 position. I immediately seized his fore-legs, and, by main 

 force, twisted them on his back ; thus they served me for 

 a bridle. 



11. He now seemed to have recovered from his surprise, 

 and, probably fancying himself in hostile company, he be- 

 gan to plunge furiously, and lashed the sand with his pow- 

 crful tail. I was out of reach of the strokes of it by being 

 near the head. He continued to plunge and strike, and 

 made my seat very uncomfortable. It must have been a 

 fine sight for an unconcerned spectator. The people 

 roared out in triumph, and were so vociferous that it was 

 some time before they heard mo tell them to pull me and 

 my steed farther inland. I was apprehensive the rope 

 might break, and then there would be every chance of my 

 going down to the regions under water with the cayman. 

 The people now dragged us about forty feet on the sand ; 

 it was the first and last time I was ever on a cayman's 

 back. 



12. After repeated attempts to regain his liberty, the 

 cayman gave in, and became tranquil through exhaustion. 

 I now managed to tie up his jaws, and firmly secured his' 

 fore-feet in the position I had held them. We had now 

 another severe struggle for superiority, but he was soon 

 overcome, and again remained quiet. While some of the 

 people were pressing upon his head and shoulders, I threw 

 myself on his tail, and, by keeping it down in the sand, 

 prevented him from kicking up another dust. He was 



