EXPEDITION TO SURINAM, 173 



Thus, having once more cUfcovered the fnake, we dif- CHAP, 

 charged both our pieces at once, and with this good effect, 

 that he was now by one of us fliot through the head. 

 David, who was made completely happy by this fuccefs- 

 ful conclufion, ran leaping with joy, and loft no time in 

 bringing the boat-rope, in order to drag him down to the 

 canoe ; but this again proved not a very eafy under- 

 taking, fince the creature, notwithftanding its being mor- 

 tally wounded, ftill con'iinued to wreath and twift about, 

 in fuch a manner as rendered it dangerous for any perfon 

 to- approach him. The negro, however, having made a 

 running noofe on the rope, and after fome fruitlefs at- 

 tempts to make an approach ,= threw it over his head with 

 much dexterity; and now, all taking hold of the rope,, we 

 dragged him to the beach, and tied him to the Hern of 

 the canoe, to take him in tow. Being ftill alive, he kept 

 fwimming like an eel; and I having no relifh for fuch a 

 fliip-mate on board, whofe length (notwithftanding to 

 my aftonifhment all the negroes declared it to be but a 

 young one come to about its half growth) I fovmd upon 

 meafuring it to be twenty- two feet and fome inches ; 

 and its thicknefs about that of my black boy Quaco, 

 who might then be about twelve years old, and round 

 whofe waift I ftnce meafured the creature's fkin. 



Being arrived along-lide of the Charon, the next con- 

 lideration was, how to d'lfpofe of this immenfe animaL; 

 when it was at length determined to bring him on fhore 

 at Barbacoeba^ to have him fiiinned, and take out the 



oil,, 



