While I was settling these affairs I observed a large fruit like
an inflated bladder, which I wished to try an experiment upon: and
striking my knife into one of them, a fine pure liquor like Hollands
gin rushed out, which the eagles observing, eagerly drank up from the
ground. I cut down the bladder as fast as I could, and saved about half
a pint in the bottom of it, which I tasted, and could not distinguish
it from the best mountain wine. I drank it all, and found myself greatly
refreshed. By this time the eagles began to stagger against the shrubs.
I endeavoured to keep my seat, but was soon thrown to some distance
among the bushes. In attempting to rise I put my hand upon a large
hedgehog, which happened to lie among the grass upon its back: it
instantly closed round my hand, so that I found it impossible to shake
it off. I struck it several times against the ground without effect; but
while I was thus employed I heard a rustling among the shrubbery, and
looking up, I saw a huge animal within three yards of me; I could make
no defence, but held out both my hands, when it rushed upon me,
and seized that on which the hedgehog was fixed. My hand being soon
relieved, I ran to some distance, where I saw the creature suddenly drop
down and expire with the hedgehog in its throat. When the danger was
past I went to view the eagles, and found them lying on the grass fast
asleep, being intoxicated with the liquor they had drank. Indeed, I
found myself considerably elevated by it, and seeing everything quiet,
I began to search for some more, which I soon found; and having cut down
two large bladders, about a gallon each, I tied them together, and hung
them over the neck of the other eagle, and the two smaller ones I
tied with a cord round my own waist. Having secured a good stock of
provisions, and perceiving the eagles begin to recover, I again took my
seat. In half an hour they arose majestically from the place, without
taking the least notice of their incumbrance. Each reassumed its former
station; and directing their course to the northward, they crossed the
Gulf of Mexico, entered North America, and steered directly for the
Polar regions, which gave me the finest opportunity of viewing this vast
continent that can possibly be imagined.

Before we entered the frigid zone the cold began to affect me; but
piercing one of my bladders, I took a draught, and found that it could
make no impression on me afterwards. Passing over H