NORTH AMERICA* 
tite for my vi&uals ; for conftant watching at night 
againft the attacks of alligators, flinging of muf- 
quitoes and fuitry heats of the day ; together with 
the fatigues of working my bark, had almofl de- 
prived me of every defire but that of ending my 
troubles as fpeedily as pofTible. I had the good for- 
tune to collecl: together a fufficieney of dry flicks 
to keep up a light and fmoke, which I laid by me, 
and then fpread my fkins and blankets upon the 
ground, kindled up a little fire, and hipped before 
it was quite dark. The evening was however ex- 
tremely pleafant - y a brifk cool breeze fprang up, and 
the fkies were perfectly ferene, the flars twink- 
ling with uncommon brilliancy. I flretched myfelf 
along before my fire ; having the river, my little 
harbour, and the flern of my veffel in view ; and now 
through fatigue and wearinefs I fell afleep. But 
this happy temporary releafe from cares and trou- 
bles I enjoyed but a few moments, when I was 
awakened and greatly furprifed, by the terrifying 
fcreams of Owls in the deep fvvamps around me ; 
and what inereafe my extreme mifery was the dif- 
ficulty of getting quite awake, and yet hearing at 
the fame time fuch (creaming and moating, which 
increafed and fpread every way for miles around, in 
dreadful peals vibrating through the dark extenfive 
forefts 5 meadows, and Jakes. I could not after this 
iurprife recover my former peaceable Mate and tran- 
quillity of mind and repofe, during the long night ; 
and I believe it was happy for me that I was awaken- 
ed, for at that moment the crocodile was darning 
my canoe againft the roots of the tree, endeavouring 
to get into her for the fiih, which J however pre- 
vented. Another time in the night I believe I nar- 
rowly efcaped being dragged into the river by him ; 
tor when again through txceluve fatirnie 1 had fallen 
afleep. 
