’NORTH AMERICA* llj 
My apprelienfions were highly alarmed after be- 
ing a fpeCtator of fo dreadful a battle. It was ob- 
vious that every delay would but tend to increafe 
xny dangers and difficulties, as the fun was near 
letting, and the alligators gathered around my har- 
bour from all quarters. From thefe confederations 
I concluded to be expeditious in my trip to the la- 
goon, m order to take fome bib. Not thinking it 
prudent to take my fu fee with me, left I might 
Jofe it overboard in cafe of a battle, which I had 
every reafon to dread before my return, I therefore 
furnifhed myfelf with a club for my defence, went 
on board, and penetrating the flrft line of thofe 
which furrounded my harbour, they gave way; but 
being purfued by feveral very large ones, I kept 
ftridtly on the watch, and paddled with all my might 
towards the entrance of the lagoon, hoping to be 
fheltered there from the multitude of my affailants ; 
but ere I had half-way reached the place, I was at- 
tacked on all Tides, feveral endeavouring to overfet 
the canoe. My fituation now became precarious to 
the laft degree : two very large ones attacked me 
tdofely, at the fame inftant,rufhingup with their heads 
and part of their bodies above the water, roaring 
terribly and belching floods of water over me. They 
Truck their jaws together fo clofe -to my ears, as 
almoft to ftun me, and I expedited every moment to 
be dragged out of the boat and inftantly devoured. 
But I applied my weapons fo effectually about me, 
though at random, that I was fo luccefsful as to 
beat them off a little - 3 when, finding that they de- 
signed to renew the battle, I made for the fhore* 
as the only means left me for my prefervation ; for, 
by keeping clofe to it, I fhould have my enemies on 
one fide of me only, whereas I was before furround- 
^al by them $ and there was a probability, if pu&ed 
id to 
