xc 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
I attempted to penetrate several of these swamps, with my gun, 
in search of something new; but, except in some chance places, I 
found it altogether impracticable. I coasted along their borders, 
however, in many places, and was surprised at the great pro- 
fusion of evergreens, of numberless sorts; and a variety of ber- 
ries that I knew nothing of. Here I found multitudes of birds 
that never winter with us in Pennsylvania, living in abundance. 
Though the people told me that the alligators are so numerous 
as to destroy many of their pigs, calves, dogs, &c. , yet I have 
never been enabled to get my eye on one, though I have been 
several times in search of them with my gun. In Georgia, they 
tell me, they are ten times more numerous; and I expect some 
sport among them. I saw a dog at the river Santee, who swims 
across when he pleases, in defiance of these voracious animals; 
when he hears them behind him, he wheels round, and attacks 
them, often seizing them by the snout. They generally retreat, 
and he pursues his route again, serving every one that attacks 
him in the same manner.* He belongs to the boatman; and, 
when left behind, always takes to the water. 
“ As to the character of the North Carolinians, were I to 
judge of it by the specimens which I met with in taverns, I 
should pronounce them to be the most ignorant, debased, in- 
dolent and dissipated, portion of the union. But I became ac- 
quainted with a few such noble exceptions, that, for t/ieir 
* Tills is an uncommon instance of intrepidity in the canine race, and is 
vvortliy of record. It is weU-known that the alligator is fond of dog-flesh; and 
die dog appeal’s to be instructed by insdnct to avoid so dangerous an enemy, 
it being difficult to induce him to approach the haunts of the- alhgator, even 
when encouraged by the example of his master. A fine stout spaniel accom- 
panied me to East Florida. Being one day engaged in wading through a pond, 
in pui’suit of ducks, widi my dog swimming beliind me, appai-ently delighted 
vvidi Ills employment, he smelt an alligator: he immechately made to die shore, 
fled into the forest, and all my endeavom-s to prevsdl widi him to retui’n were 
ineffectual. Ever after, when we approached that pond, he exliibited such 
evidences of apprehension, diat I was fain to rethe widi liim, lest his tenxir 
should again induce liim to flee, where he would have, probably, been lost. 
