86 
and a cover, made of the inner bark of a tree, is laid 
over the whole. The meat thus baked is as well 
done as if it had been roasted. 
Alligator hunting is also much practised as a di¬ 
version. The most usual method of attacking them 
is with a harpoon. They paddle along the water 
in their piroguas towards the alligator, who is usually 
discovered with his nose above the water, like a 
piece of cow-dung. When they get within ten or 
twelve yards, he sinks to the bottom, and crawls 
some distance before he stops; his path is disco¬ 
vered by the bubbles which rise to the surface, and 
where the last bubble stands, the hunters strike with 
the harpoon; for when they are thus approached, 
they lie flat upon their bellies with their sides pressed 
out. If the harpoon happen to strike the head, 
or middle of the back, it makes no entrance. Some¬ 
times they take them with a net of ropes, and not 
unfrequently, with a snare made of rope, and fastened 
to a spring pole; these are placed at the mouths of 
rivulets. 
They fish with well-baskets, harpoons, draw-nets, 
and hooks, both in the lakes and rivers, and at sea. 
Great quantities of fish are taken, and either ex¬ 
changed for rice, and other necessaries in the 
neighbouring provinces, or dried for future use. 
They sometimes go a great way to sea in their ca¬ 
noes. They have rope-makers, who manufacture 
cordage of all lengths and sizes; some, as much as 
one hundred and thirty fathoms long: the ropes for 
