NdRTH. AMERICA, tl§ 
ing a- circular fweep to the right,. 4-and contain 
many hundred thoufand acres of meadow ; and this 
grand fweep of high forefls encircles, as I appre- 
hend, at lead twenty miles of thefe green fields, 
interiperfed with hommocks or iflets of evergreen 
trees, where the lovereign magnolia and lordly 
palm {land confpicuous. The iflets are high fhe'lly 
knolls, on the fides of creeks or branches of did 
river, which wind about and drain' off the fupef T 
abundant waters that cover thefe meadows during 
the winter feafon. 
The evening was temperately cool and calm,, 
The crocodiles began to roar and appear in uncom- 
mon numbers along the Ihores and in the river. I 
fixed my camp in an open plain, near the utmofl 
projection of the promontory, under the fhelter of 
a large live oak, which flood on the highefl part 
of the ground, and but a few yards from my boat. 
From this open, high fituation, I had a free prof- 
pedl of the river, which was a matter of no trivial 
confideration to me, having good reafon to dread 
the fubtle attacks of the alligators, who were crowd- 
ing about my harbour. Having collected a good 
quantity of wood for the purpofe of keeping up a 
light and fmoke during the night, I began to think 
of preparing my fupper, when, upon examining my 
ilores, I found but a fcanty provifion. I thereupon 
determined, as the mofl expeditious way of fupply* 
ing my neceffides, to take my bob and try for fome 
trout. About one hundred yards above my har- 
bour began a cove or bay of the river, out of which 
opened a large lagoon. The mouth or entrance 
from the river to it was narrow,, but the waters 
foon after fpread and formed a little lake, extend- 
ing into the marfhes : its entrance and ihores within 
Is I obferved 
