He was stabbed by the cook, cudgelled by the crew, brained by the mate, and shot by the captain.

And, adding insult to injury, he was stripped of his skin, which was beautifully variegated and measured fourteen feet in length, and brought to Boston, where it was examined and admired by many of the citizens.
This snake was doubtless an aboma, a species of serpent of large size and great beauty, which is not venomous.

In attempting to cross the river, it had probably been drifted down with the current, and carried out to sea.

It might have been swimming about in the waters for some time without finding a resting-place, and, having fallen in with a vessel at anchor, thought no harm would accrue to itself or others if it should silently glide on board through the rudder-hole, and take up its residence for the night.

But Captain Nickerson entertained a different opinion.