brought back, except Mr. Smith, who had died, when within ninety miles of Swan River, overcome by the fatigues and privations of their long wanderings.
TRAPPING THE CAYMAN.
Perhaps the most exciting of all the narratives in Mr. Waterton's travels is that which describes his efforts to entrap a cayman, and his final encounter with one of those terrible animals of the alligator kind which infest the rivers of South America. The back of the cayman is said to be almost impenetrable to a musket-ball, though his sides are not near so strong, and are easily pierced with an arrow. It is believed that no animal in existence bears more decided marks in his countenance of cruelty and malice. He is the scourge and terror of all the large rivers in South America near the line. Mr. Waterton had long desired to catch one of these monsters, and at length favourable opportunities appeared to present themselves during his third journey along the wild and solitary banks of the Essequibo. The scenes which ensue we will describe as closely as possible in the words of the adventurous naturalist. One day, an hour before sunset, he reached the place which two men, who had joined his party at the Falls, had pointed out as a proper one to find a cayman. There was a large creek close by, and a sandbank gently
