TRAVELS IN’ 
IlS 
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 expeditions, for as 
foon as I gained the fhore, they drew off and kept 
aloof This was a happy relief, as my confidence 
was, in fome degree, recovered by it. On recol- 
lecting myfelf, X difcovered that I had almoft reach- 
ed the entrance of the lagoon, and determined to 
venture in, if poftible, to take a few fifti, and then 
reru n 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 effeCb, 
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 fettlernents 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 rriolefted by any there, 
though there were feme 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 falted or barbecued. I now 
prepared for my return to camp, which I fucceeded 
in with but little trouble, by keeping clofe to 
the fhore , 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 daiing one, about twelve feet in length, 
Whq 
