Page:Medical Heritage Library (IA b30530933).pdf/64

44 hundred Weight perhaps, covered with hard Scales that are impenetrable to Shot, unless very near, long Jaws set with sharp Teeth, two very large, and two small: Finns like Hands: A Tail thick and continuous; will live a longtime out of the Water, being sold frequently alive in the West-Indies. They are not shy, but rather bold; and tho' easily waked, will not make off presently, our Boats falling down with the Stream within a few yards of them, before they stir; laying basking to the Sun, in little muddy Nooks they form in their egress from the Mangroves. When they float upon the Water, they lie very still and like a Log of Timber, till the little Fry underneath come unwarily sporting about them, and tempt their greedy Stomachs; they diving very quick upon their Prey.

One of these set upon a Man of Captain Masterton's, a Sloop that put in here from Sherbro. The Sailor, to avoid walking round a Bay, and being mellow with drinking, would needs cut his way short by wading over a weedy part of it up to his Breast, where the Alligator seized him; and the Fellow having full Courage, ran his Arm down his Throat: Notwithstanding which, the Crocodile loosed, and renewed the Battle two or three times, till a Canoo that saw the Distress, paddled to his Relief, but he was torn unmercifully in his Buttocks, Arms,