TRAVELS IN 
1 18 
to the laft extremity, of faving myfelf, by jumping 
out of the canoe on fhore, as it is eafy to outwalk 
them on land, although comparatively as fwift as 
lightning in the water. I found this laft expedient 
alone could fully anfwer my expectations, for as 
foon as I gained the fhore, they drew off and kept 
aloof. This was a happy relief, as my confidence 
was, in feme degree, recovered by it. On recol- 
lecting myfelf, I difeovered that I had almoft reach- 
ed the entrance of the lagoon, and determined to 
venture in, if poffible, to take a few fifh, and then 
return to my harbour, while day-light continued; 
for I could now, with caution and refolution, make 
my way with fafety along fhore ; and indeed there 
was no other way to regain my camp, without leav- 
ing my boat and making my retreat through the 
marfhes and reeds, which, if I could even effedt, 
would have been in a manner throwing myfelf 
away, for then there would have been no hopes of 
ever recovering my bark, and returning in fafety 
to any fettlements of men. I accordingly proceed- 
ed, and made good my entrance into the lagoon, 
though not without oppofition from the alligators, 
who formed a line acrofs the entrance, but did not 
purfue me into it, nor was I molefted by any there, 
though there were fome very large ones in a cove 
at the upper end. I foon caught more trout than 
I had prefent occafion for, and the air was too hot 
and fultry to admit of their being kept for many 
hours, even though faked or barbecued. I now 
prepared for my return to camp, which I fucceeded 
in with but little trouble, by keeping clofe to 
the fhore 5 yet I was oppofed upon re-entering the 
river out of the lagoon, and purfued near to my 
landing (though not clofely attacked), particularly 
by an old daring one, about twelve feet in length, 
who 
