Journeys Through Bookland, Volume 5 | Page 7

enough, for he shook his head
by way of disapprobation, and held his hand in a posture to show that I
must be carried as a prisoner. However, he made other signs, to let me
understand that I should have meat and drink enough, and very good
treatment. Whereupon, I once more thought of attempting to break my
bonds; but again, when I felt the smart of their arrows upon my face
and hands, which were all in blisters, and many of the darts still
sticking in them, and observing likewise that the number of my
enemies increased, I gave tokens to let them know that they might do
with me what they pleased.
Upon this, the hurgo and his train withdrew, with much civility and
cheerful countenances. Soon after, I heard a general shout, with
frequent repetitions of the words "Peplom selan," and I felt great
numbers of the people on my left side, relaxing the cords to such a
degree that I was able to turn upon my right. But before this they had
daubed my face and both my hands with a sort of ointment, very
pleasant to the smell, which, in a few minutes, removed all the smart of
their arrows. These circumstances, added to the refreshment I had
received by their victuals and drink, which were very nourishing,
disposed me to sleep. I slept about eight hours, as I was afterward
assured; and it was no wonder, for the physicians, by the emperor's
order, had mingled a sleepy potion in the hogsheads of wine.

It seems that upon the first moment I was discovered sleeping on the
ground, after my landing, the emperor had early notice of it by an
express, and determined in council that I should be tied in the manner I
have related (which was done in the night, while I slept), that plenty of
meat and drink should be sent to me, and a machine prepared to carry
me to the capital city.
This resolution, perhaps, may appear very bold and dangerous, and I
am confident would not be imitated by any prince in Europe, on the
like occasion. However, in my opinion, it was extremely prudent, as
well as generous; for supposing these people had endeavored to kill me
with their spears and arrows while I was asleep, I should certainly have
awaked with the first sense of smart, which might so far have roused
my rage and strength as to have enabled me to break the strings
wherewith I was tied; after which, as they were not able to make
resistance, so they could expect no mercy.
[Illustration: GULLIVER'S JOURNEY TO THE METROPOLIS]
These people are most excellent mathematicians, and arrived to a great
perfection in mechanics, by the countenance and encouragement of the
emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning. This prince has several
machines fixed on wheels, for the carriage of trees and other great
weights. He often builds his largest men-of-war, whereof some are nine
feet long, in the woods where the timber grows, and has them carried
on these engines, three or four hundred yards, to the sea.
Five hundred carpenters and engineers were immediately set at work to
prepare the greatest engine they had. It was a frame of wood raised
three inches from the ground, about seven feet long, and four wide,
moving upon twenty-two wheels. The shout I heard was upon the
arrival of this engine, which, it seems, set out in four hours after my
landing. It was brought parallel to me as I lay. But the principal
difficulty was to raise and place me in this vehicle. Eighty poles, each
of one foot high, were erected for this purpose, and very strong cords,
of the bigness of pack-thread, were fastened by hooks to many
bandages, which the workmen had girt round my neck, my hands, my
body, and my legs. Nine hundred of the strongest men were employed

to draw up these cords, by many pulleys fastened on the poles; and thus,
in less than three hours, I was raised and slung into the engine, and
there tied fast. All this I was told; for, while the whole operation was
performing, I lay in a profound sleep, by the force of that soporiferous
medicine infused into my liquor. Fifteen hundred of the emperor's
largest horses, each about four inches and a half high, were employed
to draw me toward the metropolis, which, as I said, was half a mile
distant. About four hours after we began our journey, I awaked by a
very ridiculous accident; for the carriage being stopped awhile to adjust
something that was out of order, two or three of the young natives had
the curiosity to see how I looked when I was asleep; they climbed up