of some night-bird or wild beast, coming
sometimes from one side of us, sometimes from the other, had a very
depressing effect, and I could have fancied, had I believed in the
existence of such things, that the forest was the habitation of evil
spirits or satyrs. I was thankful when we got clear of it, and managed
to moor the canoe to a tree which grew close to the water. Here we
landed and lighted a fire, to boil some porridge in a pot we had
obtained from the blacks, and to heat up some cakes; for we had no
animal food except a little salt pork and some dried fish, which we kept
in case of being pushed to extremities.

Hitherto we had met with no white settlers, for those who had penetrated
thus far south had established themselves mostly on the sea-board, where
they were less likely to be annoyed by the Indians than on the river.
We were not aware of this at the time, and were constantly on the
look-out, in the hopes of coming in sight of the dwelling of some white
man, from whom we naturally expected to receive a hospitable welcome.
Tired as we were, Tim sat up one part of the night, and I the other, to
keep the fire burning, so that we might preserve ourselves from being
snapped up by one of our friends the alligators. The monsters roared as
loudly as usual, and we could hear their jaws snapping and their tails
whisking about in the water. It was far from pleasant music, but it did
not keep me awake one moment after my watch was over.

We started, by the light of our fire, before daybreak, and continuing
our course, entered at sunrise a broad lake, five or six miles in
length. We were afraid that, as the sun rose, a strong breeze might
spring up; and we could easily suppose how heavy a sea might in a few
minutes be created. The weather, however, continued calm; and by dint
of hard paddling we re-entered the narrow channel of the stream, down
which we continued our course.

Two more days had passed. Our supply of provisions was exhausted, and
we were compelled to stop and try to catch some fish. We were less
successful than we expected; either the alligators had eaten them up, or
the bait we used was not of an attractive nature. At length we caught a
big fellow, which from its appearance we considered fit to eat, and soon
had some slices roasting before a fire. There was no use in carrying
any of it away, as a few hours afterwards it would have been unfit for
food.

Some time afterwards, passing a sand