IV 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 
sions left on Mr. Bartram by these unpleasant occur- 
rences, that he never could entirely divest himself of 
them, and years after they had passed, he was heard to 
say, that he was often startled from his sleep by violent 
and hideous dreams of his encounters with these mon- 
sters. 
The verges and islets of the lagoon were elegantly embellished 
with flowering plants and shrubs; the laughing coots with wings 
half spread were tripping over the little coves and hiding them- 
selves in the tufts of grass; young broods of the painted summer 
teal, skimming the still surface of the waters, and following the 
watchful parent unconscious of danger, were frequently surprised 
by the voracious trout; and he, in turn, as often by the subtle 
greedy alligator. Behold him rushing forth from the flags and 
reeds. His enormous body swells. His plaited tail brandished 
high, floats upon the lake. The waters like a cataract descend 
from his opening jaws. Clouds of smoke issue from his dilated 
nostrils. The earth trembles with his thunder. When immediate- 
ly from the opposite coast of the lagoon, emerges from the deep 
his rival champion. They suddenly dart upon each other. The 
boiling surface of the lake marks their rapid course, and a terrific 
conflict commences. They now sink to the bottom folded together 
in horrid wreathes. The water becomes thick and discoloured. 
Again they rise, their jaws clap together, re-echoing through the 
deep surrounding forests. Again they sink, when the contest ends 
at the muddy bottom of the lake, and the vanquished makes a 
hazardous escape, hiding himself in the muddy turbulent waters 
and sedge on a distant shore. The proud victor exulting returns 
to the place of action. The shores and forests resound his dread- 
ful roar, together with the triumphing shouts of these plaited 
tribes around, witnesses of the horrid combat. 
My apprehensions were highly alarmed after being a spectator of so 
dreadful a battle. It was obvious that every delay would but tend to 
increase my dangers and difficulties, as the sun was near setting, and 
the alligators gathered around my harbour from all quarters. From 
these considerations I concluded to be expeditious in my trip to the 
lagoon, in order to take some fish. Not thinking it prudent to take my 
fusee with me, lest I might lose it overboard in case of a battle, which I 
had every reason to dread before my return, I therefore furnished my- 
self with a club for my defence, went on board, and penetrating the 
first line of those which surrounded my harbour, they gave way; but 
being pursued by several very large ones, I kept strictly on the watch, 
and paddled with all my might towards the entrance of the lagoon, 
hoping to be sheltered there from the multitude of my assailants; but 
ere I had half way reached the place, I was attacked on all sides, seve- 
ral endeavouring to overset the canoe. My situation now became 
precarious to the last degree: two very large ones attacked me close- 
ly, at the same instant, rushing up with their heads and part of their 
bodies above the water, roaring terribly and belching floods of water 
over me. They struck their jaws together so close to my ears, as al- 
most to stun me, and I expected every moment to be dragged out of 
the boat and instantly devoured. But I applied my weapons so effectual- 
ly about me, though at random, that 1 was so successful as to beat them 
off a little; when, finding that they designed to renew the battle, I 
made for the shore, as the only means left me for my preservation; for, 
by keeping close to it, I should' have my enemies on one side only, 
whereas 1 was before surrounded by them; and there was a probability, 
if pushed to the last extremity, of saving myself, by jumping outof the 
canoe on shore, as it is easy to outwalk them on land, although compa- 
The difficulties under which the lamented Wilson la- 
boured, in the commencement and progress of his work, 
were, at times, almost insurmountable, and had nigh ter- 
minated his labours in the cause of ornithology; but in 
Mr. Bartram he found a friend, an undeviating friend, on 
whose counsel and guidance he always relied with filial 
ratively as swift as lightning in the water. I found this last expedient 
alone could fully answer my expectations, for as soon as I gained the 
shore, they drew off and kept aloof. This was a happy relief, as my 
confidence was, in some degree, recovered by it. On recollecting my- 
self, I discovered that I had almost reached the entrance of the lagoon, 
and determined to veture in, if possible, to take a few fish, and then re- 
turn to my harbour, while day-light continued; for I could now, with 
caution and resolution, make my way with safety along shore; and, in- 
deed, there was no other way to regain my camp, without leaving my 
boat and making my retreat through the marshes and reeds, which, if I 
could even effect, would have been in a manner thro wing myself away, 
for then there would have been no hopes of ever recovering my bark, 
and returning in safety to any settlements of men. I accordingly pro- 
ceeded, and made good my entrance into the lagoon, though not with- 
out opposition from the alligators, who formed a line across the en- 
trance, but did not pursue me into it, nor was I molested by any there, 
though there were some very large ones in a cove at the upper end. I 
soon caught more trout than I had present occasion for, and the air was 
too hot and sultry to admit of their being kept for many hours, even 
though salted or barbecued. I now prepared for my return to camp, 
which I succeeded in with but little trouble, by keeping close to the 
shore; yet I was opposed upon re-entering the river out of the lagoon, 
and pursued near to my landing, (though not closely attacked,) parti- 
cularly by an old daring one, about twelve feet in length, who kept 
close after me; and when I stepped on shore, and turned about, 
in order to draw up my canoe, he rushed up near my feet, and lay 
there for some time, looking me in the face, his head and shoul- 
ders out of water. I resolved he should pay for his temerity, and 
having a heavy load in my fusee, I ran to my camp, and returning 
with my piece, found him with his foot on the gunwale of the boat, 
in search of fish. On my coming up he withdrew sullenly and slowly 
into the water, but soon returned and placed himself in his for- 
mer position, looking at me, and seeming neither fearful nor any 
way disturbed. I soon despatched him by lodging the contents of 
my gun in his head, and then proceeded to cleanse and prepare 
my fish for supper; and accordingly took them out of the boat, laid 
them down on the sand close to the water, and began to scale them; 
when, raising my head, I saw before me, through the clear water, the 
head and shoulders of a very large alligator, moving slowly towards 
me. I instantly stepped back, when, with a sweep of his tail, he 
brushed off several of my fish. It was certainly most providential 
that I looked up at that instant, as the monster would, probably, in 
less than a minute, have seized and dragged me into the river. This 
incredible boldness of the animal disturbed me greatly, supposing 
there could now be no reasonable safety for me during the night, but 
by keeping continually on the watch : I therefore, as soon as I had pre- 
pared the fish, proceeded to secure myself and effects in the best 
manner I could. In the first place, I hauled my bark upon the shore, 
almost clear out of the water, to prevent their oversetting or sinking 
her; after this, every movable was taken out and carried to my camp, 
which was but a few yards off; then ranging some dry wood in such 
order as was the most convenient, I cleared the ground round about 
it, that there might be no impediment in my way, in case of an attack 
