TRAVELS IN 
and at laft was conftrained to take up with a narrow 
ftrip of high fhelly bank, on the weft fide. Great 
numbers of crocodiles were in fight on both ffiores. 
I ran my bark on fhore at a perpendicular bank four 
or five feet above the water, juft by the roots and 
under the fpreading limbs of a great Live Oak: this 
appeared to have been an ancient camping place by 
Indians and ftrolling adventurers, from affi heaps 
and old rotten fire brands and chunks, fcattered 
about on the furface of the ground ; but was now 
evidently the harbour and landing place of fome 
fovereign alligator: there led up from it a deep 
beaten path or road, which was a convenient afcent. 
I did not approve of my intended habitation from 
thefe circumftances ; and no fooner had I landed 
and moored my canoe to the roots of the tree, than 
I faw a huge crocodile rifing up from the bottom 
clofe by me, who, when he perceived that I faw 
him, plunged down again under my veftel. This 
determined me to be on my guard, and in time to 
provide againft a troublefome night. I took out of 
my boat every moveable, which I carried upon the 
bank ; then chofe my lodging clofe to my canoe, 
under the fpreading Oak, as hereabouts only, the 
ground was open and clear of high grafs and bufhes, 
and confequently I had fome room to ftir and look 
round about. I then proceeded to colledl firewood, 
which I found difficult to procure. Here were (land- 
ing a few Orange trees. As for provifions, I had 
faved one or two barbecued trout, the remains of 
my laft evening’s colle6lion, in tolerable good order, 
though the fultry heats of the day had injured them ; 
yet by dewing them up afreffi with the lively juice 
of Oranges, they ferved well enough for my fup- 
per, as I had by this time but little relifh or appe- 
tite 
