NORTH AMERICA, 
I SJ 
It is lingular with refpeft to its ingenuity and 
great labour in the conftruftion of its habitation, 
which is a conical pyramid about three or four feet 
high, conftrufted with dry branches, which it col- 
lefts with great labour and perfeverance, and piles up 
without any apparent order ; yet they are fo inter- 
woven with one another, that it would take a bear 
or wild- cat feme time to pull one of thefe caftles to 
pieces, and allow the animals fufficient time to fe- 
cure a retreat with their young. 
The noife of the crocodiles kept me awake the 
greater part of the night ; but when I arofe in the 
morning, contrary to my expeftations, there was 
perfeft peace; very few of them to be feen, and 
thofe were afleep on the fhore. Yet I was not able 
t flipprefs my fears and apprehenfions of being at- 
tacked by them in future ; and indeed yeflerday’s 
combat with them, notwith (landing I came off in a 
manner viftorious, or at leaft made a fafe retreat, 
had left fufficient impreffion on my mind to damp 
my courage ; and it feemed too much for one of 
my ftrength, being alone in a very fmall boat, to 
encounter fuch collefted danger. To purfue my 
voyage up the river, and be obliged every even- 
ing to pafs fuch dangerous defiles, appeared to me 
as perilous as running the gauntlet betwixt two rows 
of Indians armed with knives and firebrands. I 
however refolved to continue my voyage one day 
longer, if I poffibly could with fafety, and then re- 
turn down the river, fhould I find the like difficul- 
ties to oppofe. Accordingly I got every thing on 
board, charged my gun, and fet fail cautioufly, 
along fhore. As I paffed by Battle lagoon, I began 
to tremble and keep a good look out ; when fud- 
clenly a huge alligator rallied out of the reeds, and 
with 
