KORTH AMERICA. iiy 
My apprehenfions were highly alarmed after be- 
ing a fpe&ator of fo dreadful a battle. It was ob- 
vious that every delay would but tend to encreafe 
my dangers and difficulties, as the fun was near 
fetting, and the alligators gathered around my har- 
bour from all quarters. From thefe considerations 
I concluded to be expeditious in my trip to the la- 
goon, in order to take fome fifti. Not thinking it 
prudent to take my fufee with me, left I might 
lofe it overboard in cafe of a battle, which I had 
every reafon to dread before my return, I therefore 
furnifhed myfelf with a club for my defence., went 
on board, and penetrating the firft line of thofe 
which furrounded my harbour, they gave way ; but 
being purfued by fe vera! very large, ones, I kept 
ifricHy on the watch, and paddled with all my might 
towards the entrance of the lagoon, hoping to be 
fheltered there from the multitude of my aflailants ; 
but ere I had half-way reached the place, I was attack- 
ed on all fides., feveral endeavouring to overfet the 
canoe. My fltuation now became precarious to the 
laft degree : two very large ones attacked me clofe- 
ly, at the fame inftant, ruffling up with their heads 
and part of their bodies above the water, roaring 
terribly and belching floods of water over me. They 
itruck their jaws together fo clofe to my ears, as 
almoft to dun me, and I expected every moment to 
be dragged out of the boat and infiantly devoured. 
But I applied my weapons fo effectually about me, 
though at random, th?.t I was fo fuccefsful as to beat 
them off a little ; when, finding that they defigned 
to renew the battle, I made for the fhore* as the 
only means left me for my prefervation ; for^ by 
keeping clofe , to it, I mould have my enemies on 
one fide of me only, whereas I was before furround- 
ed by them 5 and there was a probability, if puflied 
