CHAPTERIII
/AnencounterbetweentheBaron’snoseandadoor—post，withitswonderfuleffects——Fiftybraceofducksandotherfowldestroyedbyoneshot——Flogsafoxoutofhisskin——Leadsanoldsowhomeinanewway，andvanquishesawildboar。/
ItwassometimebeforeIcouldobtainacommissioninthearmy，andforseveralmonthsIwasperfectlyatlibertytosportawaymytimeandmoneyinthemostgentleman—likemanner。YoumayeasilyimaginethatIspentmuchofbothoutoftownwithsuchgallantfellowsasknewhowtomakethemostofanopenforestcountry。Theveryrecollectionofthoseamusementsgivesmefreshspirits，andcreatesawarmwishforarepetitionofthem。OnemorningIsaw，throughthewindowsofmybed—room，thatalargepondnotfaroffwascoveredwithwildducks。InaninstantItookmygunfromthecorner，randown—
stairsandoutofthehouseinsuchahurry，thatIimprudentlystruckmyfaceagainstthedoor—post。Fireflewoutofmyeyes，butitdidnotpreventmyintention;Isooncamewithinshot，when，levellingmypiece，Iobservedtomysorrow，thateventheflinthadsprungfromthecockbytheviolenceoftheshockIhadjustreceived。Therewasnotimetobelost。Ipresentlyrememberedtheeffectithadonmyeyes，thereforeopenedthepan，levelledmypieceagainstthewildfowls，andmyfistagainstoneofmyeyes。[TheBaron’seyeshaveretainedfireeversince，andappearparticularlyilluminatedwhenherelatesthisanecdote。]Aheartyblowdrewsparksagain;theshotwentoff，andIkilledfiftybraceofducks，twentywidgeons，andthreecoupleofteals。Presenceofmindisthesoulofmanlyexercises。Ifsoldiersandsailorsowetoitmanyoftheirluckyescapes，huntersandsportsmenarenotlessbeholdentoitformanyoftheirsuccesses。
InanobleforestinRussiaImetafineblackfox，whosevaluableskinitwouldhavebeenapitytotearbyballorshot。Reynardstoodclosetoatree。InatwinklingItookoutmyball，andplacedagoodspike—nailinitsroom，fired，andhithimsocleverlythatInailedhisbrushfasttothetree。Inowwentuptohim，tookoutmyhanger，gavehimacross—cutovertheface，laidholdofmywhip，andfairlyfloggedhimoutofhisfineskin。
Chanceandgoodluckoftencorrectourmistakes;ofthisIhadasingularinstancesoonafter，when，inthedepthofaforest，Isawawildpigandsowrunningclosebehindeachother。Myballhadmissedthem，yettheforemostpigonlyranaway，andthesowstoodmotionless，asfixedtotheground。Onexaminingintothematter，I
foundthelatteronetobeanoldsow，blindwithage，whichhadtakenholdofherpig’stail，inordertobeledalongbyfilialduty。Myball，havingpassedbetweenthetwo，hadcuthisleading—string，whichtheoldsowcontinuedtoholdinhermouth;andasherformerguidedidnotdrawheronanylonger，shehadstoppedofcourse;Ithereforelaidholdoftheremainingendofthepig’stail，andledtheoldbeasthomewithoutanyfurthertroubleonmypart，andwithoutanyreluctanceorapprehensiononthepartofthehelplessoldanimal。
Terribleasthesewildsowsare，yetmorefierceanddangerousaretheboars，oneofwhichIhadoncethemisfortunetomeetinaforest，unpreparedforattackordefence。Iretiredbehindanoak—treejustwhenthefuriousanimallevelledaside—blowatme，withsuchforce，thathistuskspiercedthroughthetree，bywhichmeanshecouldneitherrepeattheblownorretire。Ho，ho！thoughtI，Ishallsoonhaveyounow！andimmediatelyIlaidholdofastone，wherewithI
hammeredandbenthistusksinsuchamanner，thathecouldnotretreatbyanymeans，andmustwaitmyreturnfromthenextvillage，whitherIwentforropesandacart，tosecurehimproperly，andtocarryhimoffsafeandalive，inwhichIperfectlysucceeded。
CHAPTERIV
/ReflectionsonSaintHubert’sstag——Shootsastagwithcherry—
stones;thewonderfuleffectsofit——Killsabearbyextraordinarydexterity;hisdangerpatheticallydescribed——Attackedbyawolf，whichheturnsinsideout——Isassailedbyamaddog，fromwhichheescapes——TheBaron’scloakseizedwithmadness，bywhichhiswholewardrobeisthrownintoconfusion。/
Youhaveheard，Idaresay，ofthehunterandsportsman’ssaintandprotector，St。Hubert，andofthenoblestag，whichappearedtohimintheforest，withtheholycrossbetweenhisantlers。Ihavepaidmyhomagetothatsainteveryyearingoodfellowship，andseenthisstagathousandtimes，eitherpaintedinchurches，orembroideredinthestarsofhisknights;sothat，uponthehonourandconscienceofagoodsportsman，Ihardlyknowwhethertheremaynothavebeenformerly，orwhethertherearenotsuchcrossedstagsevenatthispresentday。ButletmerathertellwhatIhaveseenmyself。Havingonedayspentallmyshot，Ifoundmyselfunexpectedlyinpresenceofastatelystag，lookingatmeasunconcernedlyasifhehadknownofmyemptypouches。Ichargedimmediatelywithpowder，anduponitagoodhandfulofcherry—stones，forIhadsuckedthefruitasfarasthehurrywouldpermit。ThusIletflyathim，andhithimjustonthemiddleoftheforehead，betweenhisantlers;itstunnedhim——hestaggered——yethemadeoff。Ayearortwoafter，beingwithapartyinthesameforest，Ibeheldanoblestagwithafinefullgrowncherry—
treeabovetenfeethighbetweenhisantlers。Iimmediatelyrecollectedmyformeradventure，lookeduponhimasmyproperty，andbroughthimtothegroundbyoneshot，whichatoncegavemethehaunchandcherry—sauce;forthetreewascoveredwiththerichestfruit，thelikeIhadnevertastedbefore。Whoknowsbutsomepassionateholysportsman，orsportingabbotorbishop，mayhaveshot，planted，andfixedthecrossbetweentheantlersofSt。Hubert’sstag，inamannersimilartothis？Theyalwayshavebeen，andstillare，famousforplantationsofcrossesandantlers;andinacaseofdistressordilemma，whichtoooftenhappenstokeensportsmen，oneisapttograspatanythingforsafety，andtotryanyexpedientratherthanmissthefavourableopportunity。Ihavemanytimesfoundmyselfinthattryingsituation。
Whatdoyousayofthis，forexample？DaylightandpowderwerespentonedayinaPolishforest。WhenIwasgoinghomeaterriblebearmadeuptomeingreatspeed，withopenmouth，readytofalluponme;allmypocketsweresearchedinaninstantforpowderandball，butinvain;Ifoundnothingbuttwospareflints：oneIflungwithallmymightintothemonster’sopenjaws，downhisthroat。Itgavehimpainandmadehimturnabout，sothatIcouldlevelthesecondathisback—
door，which，indeed，Ididwithwonderfulsuccess;foritflewin，metthefirstflintinthestomach，struckfire，andblewupthebearwithaterribleexplosion。ThoughIcamesafeoffthattime，yetIshouldnotwishtotryitagain，orventureagainstbearswithnootherammunition。
Thereisakindoffatalityinit。Thefiercestandmostdangerousanimalsgenerallycameuponmewhendefenceless，asiftheyhadanotionoraninstinctiveintimationofit。Thusafrightfulwolfrusheduponmesosuddenly，andsoclose，thatIcoulddonothingbutfollowmechanicalinstinct，andthrustmyfistintohisopenmouth。
Forsafety’ssakeIpushedonandon，tillmyarmwasfairlyinuptotheshoulder。HowshouldIdisengagemyself？Iwasnotmuchpleasedwithmyawkwardsituation——withawolffacetoface;ouroglingwasnotofthemostpleasantkind。IfIwithdrewmyarm，thentheanimalwouldflythemorefuriouslyuponme;thatIsawinhisflamingeyes。
Inshort，Ilaidholdofhistail，turnedhiminsideoutlikeaglove，andflunghimtotheground，whereIlefthim。
Thesameexpedientwouldnothaveansweredagainstamaddog，whichsoonaftercamerunningagainstmeinanarrowstreetatSt。
Petersburg。Runwhocan，Ithought;andtodothisthebetter，Ithrewoffmyfurcloak，andwassafewithindoorsinaninstant。Isentmyservantforthecloak，andheputitinthewardrobewithmyotherclothes。ThedayafterIwasamazedandfrightenedbyJack’sbawling，\"ForGod’ssake，sir，yourfurcloakismad！\"Ihasteneduptohim，andfoundalmostallmyclothestossedaboutandtorntopieces。Thefellowwasperfectlyrightinhisapprehensionsaboutthefurcloak’smadness。Isawhimmyselfjustthenfallinguponafinefull—dresssuit，whichheshookandtossedinanunmercifulmanner。
CHAPTERV
/Theeffectsofgreatactivityandpresenceofmind——Afavouritehounddescribed，whichpupswhilepursuingahare;theharealsolitterswhilepursuedbythehound——PresentedwithafamoushorsebyCountPrzobossky，withwhichheperformsmanyextraordinaryfeats。/
Allthesenarrowandluckyescapes，gentlemen，werechancesturnedtoadvantagebypresenceofmindandvigorousexertions，which，takentogether，aseverybodyknows，makethefortunatesportsman，sailor，andsoldier;buthewouldbeaveryblamableandimprudentsportsman，admiral，orgeneral，whowouldalwaysdependuponchanceandhisstars，withouttroublinghimselfaboutthoseartswhicharetheirparticularpursuits，andwithoutprovidingtheverybestimplements，whichinsuresuccess。Iwasnotblamableeitherway;forIhavealwaysbeenasremarkablefortheexcellencyofmyhorses，dogs，guns，andswords，asforthepropermannerofusingandmanagingthem，sothatuponthewholeImayhopetoberememberedintheforest，upontheturf，andinthefield。Ishallnotenterhereintoanydetailofmystables，kennel，orarmoury;butafavouritebitchofmineIcannothelpmentioningtoyou;shewasagreyhound，andIneverhadorsawabetter。Shegrewoldinmyservice，andwasnotremarkableforhersize，butratherforheruncommonswiftness。Ialwayscoursedwithher。Hadyouseenheryoumusthaveadmiredher，andwouldnothavewonderedatmypredilection，andatmycoursinghersomuch。Sheransofast，somuch，andsolonginmyservice，thatsheactuallyranoffherlegs;sothat，inthelatterpartofherlife，Iwasunderthenecessityofworkingandusingheronlyasaterrier，inwhichqualityshestillservedmemanyyears。
Coursingonedayahare，whichappearedtomeuncommonlybig，Ipitiedmypoorbitch，beingbigwithpups，yetshewouldcourseasfastasever。Icouldfollowheronhorsebackonlyatagreatdistance。AtonceIheardacryasitwereofapackofhounds——butsoweakandfaintthatIhardlyknewwhattomakeofit。Cominguptothem，Iwasgreatlysurprised。Theharehadlitteredinrunning;thesamehadhappenedtomybitchincoursing，andtherewerejustasmanyleveretsaspups。Byinstincttheformerran，thelattercoursed：andthusI
foundmyselfinpossessionatonceofsixhares，andasmanydogs，attheendofacoursewhichhadonlybegunwithone。
Irememberthis，mywonderfulbitch，withthesamepleasureandtendernessasasuperbLithuanianhorse，whichnomoneycouldhavebought。Hebecameminebyanaccident，whichgavemeanopportunityofshowingmyhorsemanshiptoagreatadvantage。IwasatCountPrzobossky’snoblecountry—seatinLithuania，andremainedwiththeladiesatteainthedrawing—room，whilethegentlemenweredownintheyard，toseeayounghorseofbloodwhichhadjustarrivedfromthestud。Wesuddenlyheardanoiseofdistress;Ihasteneddown—
stairs，andfoundthehorsesounruly，thatnobodydurstapproachormounthim。Themostresolutehorsemenstooddismayedandaghast;
despondencywasexpressedineverycountenance，when，inoneleap，I
wasonhisback，tookhimbysurprise，andworkedhimquiteintogentlenessandobediencewiththebestdisplayofhorsemanshipIwasmasterof。Fullytoshowthistotheladies，andsavethemunnecessarytrouble，Iforcedhimtoleapinatoneoftheopenwindowsofthetea—room，walkedroundseveraltimes，pace，trot，andgallop，andatlastmadehimmountthetea—table，theretorepeathislessonsinaprettystyleofminiaturewhichwasexceedinglypleasingtotheladies，forheperformedthemamazinglywell，anddidnotbreakeithercuporsaucer。Itplacedmesohighintheiropinion，andsowellinthatofthenoblelord，that，withhisusualpoliteness，hebeggedI
wouldacceptofthisyounghorse，andridehimfullcareertoconquestandhonourinthecampaignagainsttheTurks，whichwassoontobeopened，underthecommandofCountMunich。
Icouldnotindeedhavereceivedamoreagreeablepresent，noramoreominousoneattheopeningofthatcampaign，inwhichImademyapprenticeshipasasoldier。Ahorsesogentle，sospirited，andsofierce——atoncealambandaBucephalus，putmealwaysinmindofthesoldier’sandthegentleman’sduty！ofyoungAlexander，andoftheastonishingthingsheperformedinthefield。
Wetookthefield，amongseveralotherreasons，itseems，withanintentiontoretrievethecharacteroftheRussianarms，whichhadbeenblemishedalittlebyCzarPeter’slastcampaignonthePruth;
andthiswefullyaccomplishedbyseveralveryfatiguingandgloriouscampaignsunderthecommandofthatgreatgeneralImentionedbefore。
Modestyforbidsindividualstoarrogatetothemselvesgreatsuccessesorvictories，thegloryofwhichisgenerallyengrossedbythecommander——nay，whichisratherawkward，bykingsandqueenswhoneversmeltgunpowderbutatthefield—daysandreviewsoftheirtroops;
neversawafieldofbattle，oranenemyinbattlearray。
NordoIclaimanyparticularshareofgloryinthegreatengagementswiththeenemy。Wealldidourduty，which，inthepatriot’s，soldier’s，andgentleman’slanguage，isaverycomprehensiveword，ofgreathonour，meaning，andimport，andofwhichthegeneralityofidlequidnuncsandcoffee—housepoliticianscanhardlyformanybutaverymeanandcontemptibleidea。However，havinghadthecommandofabodyofhussars，Iwentuponseveralexpeditions，withdiscretionarypowers;andthesuccessIthenmetwithis，Ithink，fairlyandonlytobeplacedtomyaccount，andtothatofthebravefellowswhomI
ledontoconquestandtovictory。Wehadveryhotworkonceinthevanofthearmy，whenwedrovetheTurksintoOczakow。MyspiritedLithuanianhadalmostbroughtmeintoascrape：Ihadanadvancedfore—post，andsawtheenemycomingagainstmeinacloudofdust，whichleftmeratheruncertainabouttheiractualnumbersandrealintentions：towrapmyselfupinasimilarcloudwascommonprudence，butwouldnothavemuchadvancedmyknowledge，oransweredtheendforwhichIhadbeensentout;thereforeIletmyflankersonbothwingsspreadtotherightandleftandmakewhatdusttheycould，andI
myselfledonstraightupontheenemy，tohavenearersightofthem：
inthisIwasgratified，fortheystoodandfought，till，forfearofmyflankers，theybegantomoveoffratherdisorderly。Thiswasthemomenttofalluponthemwithspirit;webrokethementirely——madeaterriblehavocamongstthem，anddrovethemnotonlybacktoawalledtownintheirrear，buteventhroughit，contrarytoourmostsanguineexpectation。
TheswiftnessofmyLithuanianenabledmetobeforemostinthepursuit;andseeingtheenemyfairlyflyingthroughtheoppositegate，Ithoughtitwouldbeprudenttostopinthemarket—place，toorderthementorendezvous。Istopped，gentlemen;butjudgeofmyastonishmentwheninthismarket—placeIsawnotoneofmyhussarsaboutme！Aretheyscouringtheotherstreets？orwhatisbecomeofthem？Theycouldnotbefaroff，andmust，atallevents，soonjoinme。InthatexpectationIwalkedmypantingLithuaniantoaspringinthismarket—place，andlethimdrink。Hedrankuncommonly，withaneagernessnottobesatisfied，butnaturalenough;forwhenIlookedroundformymen，whatshouldIsee，gentlemen！thehindpartofthepoorcreature——croupandlegsweremissing，asifhehadbeencutintwo，andthewaterranoutasitcamein，withoutrefreshingordoinghimanygood！Howitcouldhavehappenedwasquiteamysterytome，tillIreturnedwithhimtothetown—gate。ThereIsaw，thatwhenI
rushedinpell—mellwiththeflyingenemy，theyhaddroppedtheportcullis（aheavyfallingdoor，withsharpspikesatthebottom，letdownsuddenlytopreventtheentranceofanenemyintoafortifiedtown）unperceivedbyme，whichhadtotallycutoffhishindpart，thatstilllayquiveringontheoutsideofthegate。Itwouldhavebeenanirreparableloss，hadnotourfarriercontrivedtobringbothpartstogetherwhilehot。Hesewedthemupwithsprigsandyoungshootsoflaurelsthatwereathand;thewoundhealed，and，whatcouldnothavehappenedbuttosogloriousahorse，thesprigstookrootinhisbody，grewup，andformedaboweroverme;sothatafterwardsIcouldgouponmanyotherexpeditionsintheshadeofmyownandmyhorse’slaurels。
CHAPTERVI
/TheBaronismadeaprisonerofwar，andsoldforaslave——KeepstheSultan’sbees，whichareattackedbytwobears——Losesoneofhisbees;asilverhatchet，whichhethrowsatthebears，reboundsandfliesuptothemoon;bringsitbackbyaningeniousinvention;fallstotheearthonhisreturn，andhelpshimselfoutofapit——Extricateshimselffromacarriagewhichmeetshisinanarrowroad，inamannerneverbeforeattemptednorpractisedsince——Thewonderfuleffectsofthefrostuponhisservant’sFrenchhorn。/
Iwasnotalwayssuccessful。Ihadthemisfortunetobeoverpoweredbynumbers，tobemadeprisonerofwar;and，whatisworse，butalwaysusualamongtheTurks，tobesoldforaslave。[TheBaronwasafterwardsingreatfavourwiththeGrandSeignior，aswillappearhereafter。]Inthatstateofhumiliationmydailytaskwasnotveryhardandlaborious，butrathersingularandirksome。ItwastodrivetheSultan’sbeeseverymorningtotheirpasture—grounds，toattendthemallthedaylong，andagainstnighttodrivethembacktotheirhives。OneeveningImissedabee，andsoonobservedthattwobearshadfallenuponhertotearhertopiecesforthehoneyshecarried。I
hadnothinglikeanoffensiveweaponinmyhandsbutthesilverhatchet，whichisthebadgeoftheSultan’sgardenersandfarmers。I
threwitattherobbers，withanintentiontofrightenthemaway，andsetthepoorbeeatliberty;but，byanunluckyturnofmyarm，itflewupwards，andcontinuedrisingtillitreachedthemoon。HowshouldIrecoverit？howfetchitdownagain？IrecollectedthatTurkey—beansgrowveryquick，andrunuptoanastonishingheight。I
plantedoneimmediately;itgrew，andactuallyfasteneditselftooneofthemoon’shorns。Ihadnomoretodonowbuttoclimbupbyitintothemoon，whereIsafelyarrived，andhadatroublesomepieceofbusinessbeforeIcouldfindmysilverhatchet，inaplacewhereeverythinghasthebrightnessofsilver;atlast，however，Ifounditinaheapofchaffandchoppedstraw。Iwasnowforreturning：but，alas！theheatofthesunhaddriedupmybean;itwastotallyuselessformydescent：soIfelltowork，andtwistedmearopeofthatchoppedstraw，aslongandaswellasIcouldmakeit。ThisIfastenedtooneofthemoon’shorns，andsliddowntotheendofit。HereI
heldmyselffastwiththelefthand，andwiththehatchetinmyright，Icutthelong，nowuselessendoftheupperpart，which，whentiedtothelowerend，broughtmeagooddeallower：thisrepeatedsplicingandtyingoftheropedidnotimproveitsquality，orbringmedowntotheSultan’sfarm。Iwasfourorfivemilesfromtheearthatleastwhenitbroke;Ifelltothegroundwithsuchamazingviolence，thatI
foundmyselfstunned，andinaholeninefathomsdeepatleast，madebytheweightofmybodyfallingfromsogreataheight：Irecovered，butknewnothowtogetoutagain;however，Idugslopesorstepswithmyfinger—nails[theBaron’snailswerethenoffortyyears’growth]，andeasilyaccomplishedit。
PeacewassoonafterconcludedwiththeTurks，andgainingmyliberty，IleftSt。Petersburgatthetimeofthatsingularrevolution，whentheemperorinhiscradle，hismother，theDukeofBrunswick，herfather，Field—MarshalMunich，andmanyothersweresenttoSiberia。
ThewinterwasthensouncommonlyseverealloverEurope，thateversincethesunseemstobefrost—bitten。Atmyreturntothisplace，I
feltontheroadgreaterinconveniencesthanthoseIhadexperiencedonmysettingout。
Itravelledpost，andfindingmyselfinanarrowlane，bidthepostilliongiveasignalwithhishorn，thatothertravellersmightnotmeetusinthenarrowpassage。Heblewwithallhismight;buthisendeavourswereinvain，hecouldnotmakethehornsound，whichwasunaccountable，andratherunfortunate，forsoonafterwefoundourselvesinthepresenceofanothercoachcomingtheotherway：therewasnoproceeding;however，Igotoutofmycarriage，andbeingprettystrong，placedit，wheelsandall，uponmyhead：Ithenjumpedoverahedgeaboutninefeethigh（which，consideringtheweightofthecoach，wasratherdifficult）intoafield，andcameoutagainbyanotherjumpintotheroadbeyondtheothercarriage：Ithenwentbackforthehorses，andplacingoneuponmyhead，andtheotherundermyleftarm，bythesamemeansbroughtthemtomycoach，putto，andproceededtoaninnattheendofourstage。Ishouldhavetoldyouthatthehorseundermyarmwasveryspirited，andnotabovefouryearsold;inmakingmysecondspringoverthehedge，heexpressedgreatdisliketothatviolentkindofmotionbykickingandsnorting;
however，Iconfinedhishindlegsbyputtingthemintomycoat—pocket。
AfterwearrivedattheinnmypostillionandIrefreshedourselves：
hehunghishornonapegnearthekitchenfire;Isatontheotherside。
Suddenlywehearda/tereng！tereng！teng！teng！/Welookedround，andnowfoundthereasonwhythepostillionhadnotbeenabletosoundhishorn;histuneswerefrozenupinthehorn，andcameoutnowbythawing，plainenough，andmuchtothecreditofthedriver;sothatthehonestfellowentertainedusforsometimewithavarietyoftunes，withoutputtinghismouthtothehorn——\"TheKingofPrussia’sMarch，\"\"OvertheHillandovertheDale，\"withmanyotherfavouritetunes;atlengththethawingentertainmentconcluded，asIshallthisshortaccountofmyRussiantravels。
/Sometravellersareapttoadvancemorethanisperhapsstrictlytrue;ifanyofthecompanyentertainadoubtofmyveracity，Ishallonlysaytosuch，Ipitytheirwantoffaith，andmustrequesttheywilltakeleavebeforeIbeginthesecondpartofmyadventures，whichareasstrictlyfoundedinfactasthoseIhavealreadyrelated。/
CHAPTERVII
/TheBaronrelateshisadventuresonavoyagetoNorthAmerica，whicharewellworththereader’sattention——Pranksofawhale——A
sea—gullsavesasailor’slife——TheBaron’sheadforcedintohisstomach——Adangerousleakstoppedàposteriori。/
IembarkedatPortsmouthinafirst—rateEnglishman—of—war，ofonehundredguns，andfourteenhundredmen，forNorthAmerica。NothingworthrelatinghappenedtillwearrivedwithinthreehundredleaguesoftheriverSt。Laurence，whentheshipstruckwithamazingforceagainst（aswesupposed）arock;however，uponheavingtheleadwecouldfindnobottom，evenwiththreehundredfathom。Whatmadethiscircumstancethemorewonderful，andindeedbeyondallcomprehension，was，thattheviolenceoftheshockwassuchthatwelostourrudder，brokeourbowspritinthemiddle，andsplitallourmastsfromtoptobottom，twoofwhichwentbytheboard;apoorfellow，whowasaloftfurlingthemainsheet，wasflungatleastthreeleaguesfromtheship;
buthefortunatelysavedhislifebylayingholdofthetailofalargesea—gull，whobroughthimback，andlodgedhimontheveryspotfromwhencehewasthrown。Anotherproofoftheviolenceoftheshockwastheforcewithwhichthepeoplebetweendecksweredrivenagainstthefloorsabovethem;myheadparticularlywaspressedintomystomach，whereitcontinuedsomemonthsbeforeitrecovereditsnaturalsituation。Whilstwewereallinastateofastonishmentatthegeneralandunaccountableconfusioninwhichwewereinvolved，thewholewassuddenlyexplainedbytheappearanceofalargewhale，whohadbeenbasking，asleep，withinsixteenfeetofthesurfaceofthewater。Thisanimalwassomuchdispleasedwiththedisturbancewhichourshiphadgivenhim——forinourpassagewehadwithourrudderscratchedhisnose——thathebeatinallthegalleryandpartofthequarter—deckwithhistail，andalmostatthesameinstanttookthemainsheetanchor，whichwassuspended，asitusuallyis，fromthehead，betweenhisteeth，andranawaywiththeship，atleastsixtyleagues，attherateoftwelveleaguesanhour，whenfortunatelythecablebroke，andwelostboththewhaleandtheanchor。However，uponourreturntoEurope，somemonthsafter，wefoundthesamewhalewithinafewleaguesofthesamespot，floatingdeaduponthewater;
itmeasuredabovehalfamileinlength。Aswecouldtakebutasmallquantityofsuchamonstrousanimalonboard，wegotourboatsout，andwithmuchdifficultycutoffhishead，where，toourgreatjoy，wefoundtheanchor，andabovefortyfathomofthecable，concealedontheleftsideofhismouth，justunderhistongue。[Perhapsthiswasthecauseofhisdeath，asthatsideofhistonguewasmuchswelled，withagreatdegreeofinflammation。]Thiswastheonlyextraordinarycircumstancethathappenedonthisvoyage。Onepartofourdistress，however，Ihadliketohaveforgot：whilethewhalewasrunningawaywiththeshipshesprungaleak，andthewaterpouredinsofast，thatallourpumpscouldnotkeepusfromsinking;itwas，however，mygoodfortunetodiscoveritfirst。Ifounditalargeholeaboutafootdiameter;youwillnaturallysupposethiscircumstancegivesmeinfinitepleasure，whenIinformyouthatthisnoblevesselwaspreserved，withallitscrew，byamostfortunatethought！inshort，I
satdownoverit，andcouldhavedispensedwithithaditbeenlarger;
norwillyoubesurprisedwhenIinformyouIamdescendedfromDutchparents。[TheBaron’sancestorshavebutlatelysettledthere;inanotherpartofhisadventuresheboastsofroyalblood。]
Mysituation，whileIsatthere，wasrathercool，butthecarpenter’sartsoonrelievedme。
CHAPTERVIII
/BathesintheMediterranean——Meetsanunexpectedcompanion——
Arrivesunintentionallyintheregionsofheatanddarkness，fromwhichheisextricatedbydancingahornpipe——Frightenshisdeliverers，andreturnsonshore。/
IwasonceingreatdangerofbeinglostinamostsingularmannerintheMediterranean：IwasbathinginthatpleasantseanearMarseillesonesummer’safternoon，whenIdiscoveredaverylargefish，withhisjawsquiteextended，approachingmewiththegreatestvelocity;therewasnotimetobelost，norcouldIpossiblyavoidhim。Iimmediatelyreducedmyselftoassmallasizeaspossible，byclosingmyfeetandplacingmyhandsalsonearmysides，inwhichpositionIpasseddirectlybetweenhisjaws，andintohisstomach，whereIremainedsometimeintotaldarkness，andcomfortablywarm，asyoumayimagine;atlastitoccurredtome，thatbygivinghimpainhewouldbegladtogetridofme：asIhadplentyofroom，Iplayedmypranks，suchastumbling，hop，step，andjump，&c。，butnothingseemedtodisturbhimsomuchasthequickmotionofmyfeetinattemptingtodanceahornpipe;soonafterIbeganheputmeoutbysuddenfitsandstarts：
Ipersevered;atlastheroaredhorridly，andstoodupalmostperpendicularlyinthewater，withhisheadandshouldersexposed，bywhichhewasdiscoveredbythepeopleonboardanItaliantrader，thensailingby，whoharpoonedhiminafewminutes。AssoonashewasbroughtonboardIheardthecrewconsultinghowtheyshouldcuthimup，soastopreservethegreatestquantityofoil。AsIunderstoodItalian，Iwasinmostdreadfulapprehensionslesttheirweaponsemployedinthisbusinessshoulddestroymealso;thereforeIstoodasnearthecentreaspossible，fortherewasroomenoughforadozenmeninthiscreature’sstomach，andInaturallyimaginedtheywouldbeginwiththeextremities;however，myfearsweresoondispersed，fortheybeganbyopeningthebottomofthebelly。AssoonasIperceivedaglimmeringoflightIcalledoutlustilytobereleasedfromasituationinwhichIwasnowalmostsuffocated。Itisimpossibleformetodojusticetothedegreeandkindofastonishmentwhichsatuponeverycountenanceathearingahumanvoiceissuefromafish，butmoresoatseeinganakedmanwalkuprightoutofhisbody;inshort，gentlemen，Itoldthemthewholestory，asIhavedoneyou，whilstamazementstruckthemdumb。
Aftertakingsomerefreshment，andjumpingintotheseatocleansemyself，Iswamtomyclothes，whichlaywhereIhadleftthemontheshore。AsnearasIcancalculate，Iwasnearfourhoursandahalfconfinedinthestomachofthisanimal。
CHAPTERIX
/AdventuresinTurkey，andupontheriverNile——SeesaballoonoverConstantinople;shootsat，andbringsitdown;findsaFrenchexperimentalphilosophersuspendedfromit——GoesonanembassytoGrandCairo，andreturnsupontheNile，whereheisthrownintoanunexpectedsituation，anddetainedsixweeks。/
WhenIwasintheserviceoftheTurksIfrequentlyamusedmyselfinapleasure—bargeontheMarmora，whichcommandsaviewofthewholecityofConstantinople，includingtheGrandSeignior’sSeraglio。Onemorning，asIwasadmiringthebeautyandserenityofthesky，I
observedaglobularsubstanceintheair，whichappearedtobeaboutthesizeofatwelve—inchglobe，withsomewhatsuspendedfromit。I
immediatelytookupmylargestandlongestbarrelfowling—piece，whichInevertravelormakeevenanexcursionwithout，ifIcanhelpit;I
chargedwithaball，andfiredattheglobe，buttonopurpose，theobjectbeingattoogreatadistance。Ithenputinadoublequantityofpowder，andfiveorsixballs：thissecondattemptsucceeded;alltheballstookeffect，andtoreonesideopen，andbroughtitdown。
Judgemysurprisewhenamostelegantgiltcar，withamaninit，andpartofasheepwhichseemedtohavebeenroasted，fellwithintwoyardsofme。Whenmyastonishmenthadinsomedegreesubsided，I
orderedmypeopletorowclosetothisstrangea？rialtraveller。
Itookhimonboardmybarge（hewasanativeofFrance）：hewasmuchindisposedfromhissuddenfallintothesea，andincapableofspeaking;aftersometime，however，herecovered，andgavethefollowingaccountofhimself，viz。：\"Aboutsevenoreightdayssince，Icannottellwhich，forIhavelostmyreckoning，havingbeenmostofthetimewherethesunneversets，IascendedfromtheLand’sEndinCornwall，intheislandofGreatBritain，inthecarfromwhichIhavebeenjusttaken，suspendedfromaverylargeballoon，andtookasheepwithmetotryatmosphericexperimentsupon：unfortunately，thewindchangedwithintenminutesaftermyascent，andinsteadofdrivingtowardsExeter，whereIintendedtoland，Iwasdriventowardsthesea，overwhichIsupposeIhavecontinuedeversince，butmuchtoohightomakeobservations。
\"Thecallsofhungerweresopressing，thattheintendedexperimentsuponheatandrespirationgavewaytothem。Iwasobliged，onthethirdday，tokillthesheepforfood;andbeingatthattimeinfinitelyabovethemoon，andforupwardsofsixteenhoursaftersoverynearthesunthatitscorchedmyeyebrows，Iplacedthecarcase，takingcaretoskinitfirst，inthatpartofthecarwherethesunhadsufficientpower，or，inotherwords，wheretheballoondidnotshadeitfromthesun，bywhichmethoditwaswellroastedinabouttwohours。Thishasbeenmyfoodeversince。\"Herehepaused，andseemedlostinviewingtheobjectsabouthim。WhenItoldhimthebuildingsbeforeusweretheGrandSeignior’sSeraglioatConstantinople，heseemedexceedinglyaffected，ashehadsupposedhimselfinaverydifferentsituation。\"Thecause，\"addedhe，\"ofmylongflight，wasowingtothefailureofastringwhichwasfixedtoavalveintheballoon，intendedtoletouttheinflammableair;andifithadnotbeenfiredat，andrentinthemannerbeforementioned，I
might，likeMahomet，havebeensuspendedbetweenheavenandearthtilldoomsday。\"
TheGrandSeignior，towhomIwasintroducedbytheImperial，Russian，andFrenchambassadors，employedmetonegotiateamatterofgreatimportanceatGrandCairo，andwhichwasofsuchanaturethatitmusteverremainasecret。
Iwentthereingreatstatebyland;where，havingcompletedthebusiness，Idismissedalmostallmyattendants，andreturnedlikeaprivategentleman;theweatherwasdelightful，andthatfamousrivertheNilewasbeautifulbeyondalldescription;inshort，IwastemptedtohireabargetodescendbywatertoAlexandria。Onthethirddayofmyvoyagetheriverbegantorisemostamazingly（youhaveallheard，Ipresume，oftheannualoverflowingoftheNile），andonthenextdayitspreadthewholecountryformanyleaguesoneachside！Onthefifth，atsunrise，mybargebecameentangledwithwhatIatfirsttookforshrubs，butasthelightbecamestrongerIfoundmyselfsurroundedbyalmonds，whichwereperfectlyripe，andinthehighestperfection。
Uponplumbingwithalinemypeoplefoundwewereatleastsixtyfeetfromtheground，andunabletoadvanceorretreat。Atabouteightornineo’clock，asnearasIcouldjudgebythealtitudeofthesun，thewindrosesuddenly，andcantedourbargeononeside：hereshefilled，andIsawnomoreofherforsometime。Fortunatelyweallsavedourselves（sixmenandtwoboys）byclingingtothetree，theboughsofwhichwereequaltoourweight，thoughnottothatofthebarge：inthissituationwecontinuedsixweeksandthreedays，livinguponthealmonds;Ineednotinformyouwehadplentyofwater。Ontheforty—
seconddayofourdistressthewaterfellasrapidlyasithadrisen，andontheforty—sixthwewereabletoventuredownupon/terrafirma/。Ourbargewasthefirstpleasingobjectwesaw，abouttwohundredyardsfromthespotwhereshesunk。Afterdryingeverythingthatwasusefulbytheheatofthesun，andloadingourselveswithnecessariesfromthestoresonboard，wesetouttorecoverourlostground，andfound，bythenearestcalculation，wehadbeencarriedovergarden—walls，andavarietyofenclosures，aboveonehundredandfiftymiles。Infourdays，afteraverytiresomejourneyonfoot，withthinshoes，wereachedtheriver，whichwasnowconfinedtoitsbanks，relatedouradventurestoaboy，whokindlyaccommodatedallourwants，andsentusforwardinabargeofhisown。InsixdaysmorewearrivedatAlexandria，wherewetookshippingforConstantinople。I
wasreceivedkindlybytheGrandSeignior，andhadthehonourofseeingtheSeraglio，towhichhishighnessintroducedmehimself。
CHAPTERX
/PaysavisitduringthesiegeofGibraltartohisoldfriendGeneralElliot——SinksaSpanishman—of—war——WakesanoldwomanontheAfricancoast——Destroysalltheenemy’scannon;frightenstheCountd’Artois，andsendshimtoParis——SavesthelivesoftwoEnglishspieswiththeidenticalslingthatkilledGoliath;andraisesthesiege。/
DuringthelatesiegeofGibraltarIwentwithaprovision—fleet，underLordRodney’scommand，toseemyoldfriendGeneralElliot，whohas，byhisdistinguisheddefenceofthatplace，acquiredlaurelsthatcanneverfade。Aftertheusualjoywhichgenerallyattendsthemeetingofoldfriendshadsubsided，Iwenttoexaminethestateofthegarrison，andviewtheoperationsoftheenemy，forwhichpurposetheGeneralaccompaniedme。IhadbroughtamostexcellentrefractingtelescopewithmefromLondon，purchasedofDollond，bythehelpofwhichIfoundtheenemyweregoingtodischargeathirty—sixpounderatthespotwherewestood。ItoldtheGeneralwhattheywereabout;
helookedthroughtheglassalso，andfoundmyconjecturesright。I
immediately，byhispermission，orderedaforty—eightpoundertobebroughtfromaneighbouringbattery，whichIplacedwithsomuchexactness（havinglongstudiedtheartofgunnery）thatIwassureofmymark。
IcontinuedwatchingtheenemytillIsawthematchplacedatthetouch—holeoftheirpiece;atthatveryinstantIgavethesignalforourguntobefiredalso。
Aboutmidwaybetweenthetwopiecesofcannontheballsstruckeachotherwithamazingforce，andtheeffectwasastonishing！Theenemy’sballrecoiledbackwithsuchviolenceastokillthemanwhohaddischargedit，bycarryinghisheadfairlyoff，withsixteenotherswhichitmetwithinitsprogresstotheBarbarycoast，whereitsforce，afterpassingthroughthreemastsofvesselsthatthenlayinalinebehindeachotherintheharbour，wassomuchspent，thatitonlybrokeitswaythroughtheroofofapoorlabourer’shut，abouttwohundredyardsinland，anddestroyedafewteethanoldwomanhadleft，wholayasleepuponherbackwithhermouthopen。Theballlodgedinherthroat。Herhusbandsoonaftercamehome，andendeavouredtoextractit;butfindingthatimpracticable，bytheassistanceofarammerheforceditintoherstomach。Ourballdidexcellentservice;
foritnotonlyrepelledtheotherinthemannerjustdescribed，but，proceedingasIintendeditshould，itdismountedtheverypieceofcannonthathadjustbeenemployedagainstus，andforceditintotheholdoftheship，whereitfellwithsomuchforceastobreakitswaythroughthebottom。Theshipimmediatelyfilledandsank，withaboveathousandSpanishsailorsonboard，besidesaconsiderablenumberofsoldiers。This，tobesure，wasamostextraordinaryexploit;Iwillnot，however，takethewholemerittomyself;myjudgmentwastheprincipalengine，butchanceassistedmealittle;forIafterwardsfound，thatthemanwhochargedourforty—eightpounderputin，bymistake，adoublequantityofpowder，elsewecouldneverhavesucceededsomuchbeyondallexpectation，especiallyinrepellingtheenemy’sball。
GeneralElliotwouldhavegivenmeacommissionforthissingularpieceofservice;butIdeclinedeverything，excepthisthanks，whichIreceivedatacrowdedtableofofficersatsupperontheeveningofthatveryday。
AsIamverypartialtotheEnglish，whoarebeyondalldoubtabravepeople，IdeterminednottotakemyleaveofthegarrisontillIhadrenderedthemanotherpieceofservice，andinaboutthreeweeksanopportunitypresenteditself。Idressedmyselfinthehabitofa/Popishpriest/，andataboutoneo’clockinthemorningstoleoutofthegarrison，passedtheenemy’slines，andarrivedinthemiddleoftheircamp，whereIenteredthetentinwhichthePrinced’Artoiswas，withthecommander—in—chief，andseveralotherofficers，indeepcouncil，concertingaplantostormthegarrisonnextmorning。Mydisguisewasmyprotection;theysufferedmetocontinuethere，hearingeverythingthatpassed，tilltheywenttotheirseveralbeds。
WhenIfoundthewholecamp，andeventhesentinels，werewrappedupinthearmsofMorpheus，Ibeganmywork，whichwasthatofdismountingalltheircannon（abovethreehundredpieces），fromforty—
eighttotwenty—fourpounders，andthrowingthemthreeleaguesintothesea。Havingnoassistance，IfoundthisthehardesttaskIeverundertook，exceptswimmingtotheoppositeshorewiththefamousTurkishpieceofordnance，describedbyBarondeTottinhisMemoirs，whichIshallhereaftermention。Ithenpiledallthecarriagestogetherinthecentreofthecamp，which，topreventthenoiseofthewheelsbeingheard，Icarriedinpairsundermyarms;andanobleappearancetheymade，ashighatleastastherockofGibraltar。I
thenlightedamatchbystrikingaflintstone，situatedtwentyfeetfromtheground（inanoldwallbuiltbytheMoorswhentheyinvadedSpain），withthebreechofanironeight—and—fortypounder，andsosetfiretothewholepile。IforgottoinformyouthatIthrewalltheirammunition—waggonsuponthetop。
BeforeIappliedthelightedmatchIhadlaidthecombustiblesatthebottomsojudiciously，thatthewholewasinablazeinamoment。TopreventsuspicionIwasoneofthefirsttoexpressmysurprise。Thewholecampwas，asyoumayimagine，petrifiedwithastonishment：thegeneralconclusionwas，thattheirsentinelshadbeenbribed，andthatsevenoreightregimentsofthegarrisonhadbeenemployedinthishorriddestructionoftheirartillery。Mr。Drinkwater，inhisaccountofthisfamoussiege，mentionstheenemysustainingagreatlossbyafirewhichhappenedintheircamp，butneverknewthecause;howshouldhe？asIneverdivulgeditbefore（thoughIalonesavedGibraltarbythisnight’sbusiness），noteventoGeneralElliot。TheCountd’Artoisandallhisattendantsranawayintheirfright，andneverstoppedontheroadtilltheyreachedParis，whichtheydidinaboutafortnight;thisdreadfulconflagrationhadsuchaneffectuponthemthattheywereincapableoftakingtheleastrefreshmentforthreemonthsafter，but，chameleon—like，livedupontheair。
/Ifanygentlemanwillsayhedoubtsthetruthofthisstory，Iwillfinehimagallonofbrandyandmakehimdrinkitatonedraught。/
AbouttwomonthsafterIhaddonethebesiegedthisservice，onemorning，asIsatatbreakfastwithGeneralElliot，ashell（forIhadnottimetodestroytheirmortarsaswellastheircannon）enteredtheapartmentweweresittingin;itlodgeduponourtable：theGeneral，asmostmenwoulddo，quittedtheroomdirectly;butItookitupbeforeitburst，andcarriedittothetopoftherock，when，lookingovertheenemy’scamp，onaneminencenearthesea—coastIobservedaconsiderablenumberofpeople，butcouldnot，withmynakedeye，discoverhowtheywereemployed。Ihadrecourseagaintomytelescope，whenIfoundthattwoofourofficers，oneageneral，theotheracolonel，withwhomIspenttheprecedingevening，andwhowentoutintotheenemy’scampaboutmidnightasspies，weretaken，andthenwereactuallygoingtobeexecutedonagibbet。Ifoundthedistancetoogreattothrowtheshellwithmyhand，butmostfortunatelyrecollectingthatIhadtheveryslinginmypocketwhichassistedDavidinslayingGoliath，Iplacedtheshellinit，andimmediatelythrewitinthemidstofthem：itburstasitfell，anddestroyedallpresent，exceptthetwoculprits，whoweresavedbybeingsuspendedsohigh，fortheywerejustturnedoff：however，oneofthepiecesoftheshellfledwithsuchforceagainstthefootofthegibbet，thatitimmediatelybroughtitdown。Ourtwofriendsnosoonerfelt/terrafirma/thantheylookedaboutforthecause;andfindingtheirguards，executioner，andall，hadtakenitintheirheadstodiefirst，theydirectlyextricatedeachotherfromtheirdisgracefulcords，andthenrandowntothesea—shore，seizedaSpanishboatwithtwomeninit，andmadethemrowtooneofourships，whichtheydidwithgreatsafety，andinafewminutesafter，whenIwasrelatingtoGeneralElliothowIhadacted，theybothtookusbythehand，andaftermutualcongratulationsweretiredtospendthedaywithfestivity。
CHAPTERXI
/AninterestingaccountoftheBaron’sancestors——AquarrelrelativetothespotwhereNoahbuilthisark——Thehistoryofthesling，anditsproperties——Afavouritepoetintroduceduponnoveryreputableoccasion——queenElizabeth’sabstinence——TheBaron’sfathercrossesfromEnglandtoHollanduponamarinehorse，whichhesellsforsevenhundredducats。/
Youwish（Icanseebyyourcountenances）IwouldinformyouhowI
becamepossessedofsuchatreasureastheslingjustmentioned。（Herefactsmustbeheldsacred。）Thusthenitwas：IamadescendantofthewifeofUriah，whomweallknowDavidwasintimatewith;shehadseveralchildrenbyhismajesty;theyquarrelledonceuponamatterofthefirstconsequence，viz。，thespotwhereNoah’sarkwasbuilt，andwhereitrestedaftertheflood。Aseparationconsequentlyensued。Shehadoftenheardhimspeakofthisslingashismostvaluabletreasure：
thisshestolethenighttheyparted;itwasmissedbeforeshegotoutofhisdominions，andshewaspursuedbynolessthansixoftheking’sbody—guards：however，byusingitherselfshehitthefirstofthem（foronewasmoreactiveinthepursuitthantherest）whereDaviddidGoliath，andkilledhimonthespot。Hiscompanionsweresoalarmedathisfallthattheyretired，andleftUriah’swifetopursueherjourney。Shetookwithher，Ishouldhaveinformedyoubefore，herfavouritesonbythisconnection，towhomshebequeathedthesling;
andthusithas，withoutinterruption，descendedfromfathertosontillitcameintomypossession。Oneofitspossessors，mygreat—
great—great—grandfather，wholivedabouttwohundredandfiftyyearsago，wasuponavisittoEngland，andbecameintimatewithapoetwhowasagreatdeer—stealer;IthinkhisnamewasShakespeare：hefrequentlyborrowedthissling，andwithitkilledsomuchofSirThomasLucy’svenison，thathenarrowlyescapedthefateofmytwofriendsatGibraltar。PoorShakespearewasimprisoned，andmyancestorobtainedhisfreedominaverysingularmanner。QueenElizabethwasthenonthethrone，butgrownsoindolent，thateverytriflingmatterwasatroubletoher;dressing，undressing，eating，drinking，andsomeotherofficeswhichshallbenameless，madelifeaburdentoher;allthesethingsheenabledhertodowithout，orbyadeputy！andwhatdoyouthinkwastheonlyreturnshecouldprevailuponhimtoacceptforsucheminentservices？settingShakespeareatliberty！Suchwashisaffectionforthatfamouswriter，thathewouldhaveshortenedhisowndaystoaddtothenumberofhisfriend’s。
Idonothearthatanyofthequeen’ssubjects，particularlythe/beef—eaters/，astheyarevulgarlycalledtothisday，howevertheymightbestruckwiththenoveltyatthetime，muchapprovedofherlivingtotallywithoutfood。Shedidnotsurvivethepracticeherselfabovesevenyearsandahalf。
Myfather，whowastheimmediatepossessorofthisslingbeforeme，toldmethefollowinganecdote：——
Hewaswalkingbythesea—shoreatHarwich，withthisslinginhispocket;beforehispaceshadcoveredamilehewasattackedbyafierceanimalcalledaseahorse，open—mouthed，whoranathimwithgreatfury;hehesitatedamoment，thentookouthissling，retreatedbackaboutahundredyards，stoopedforacoupleofpebbles，ofwhichtherewereplentyunderhisfeet，andslungthembothsodexterouslyattheanimal，thateachstoneputoutaneye，andlodgedinthecavitieswhichtheirremovalhadoccasioned。Henowgotuponhisback，anddrovehimintothesea;forthemomenthelosthissighthelostalsoferocity，andbecameastameaspossible：theslingwasplacedasabridleinhismouth;hewasguidedwiththegreatestfacilityacrosstheocean，andinlessthanthreehourstheybotharrivedontheoppositeshore，whichisaboutthirtyleagues。Themasterofthe/ThreeCups/，atHelvoetsluys，inHolland，purchasedthismarinehorse，tomakeanexhibitionof，forsevenhundredducats，whichwasupwardsofthreehundredpounds，andthenextdaymyfatherpaidhispassagebackinthepackettoHarwich。
/——Myfathermadeseveralcuriousobservationsinthispassage，whichIwillrelatehereafter。/
CHAPTERXII
/Thefrolic;itsconsequences——WindsorCastle——St。Paul’s——CollegeofPhysicians——Undertakers，sextons，&c。，almostruined——Industryoftheapothecaries。/
THEFROLIC。
Thisfamousslingmakesthepossessorequaltoanytaskheisdesirousofperforming。
Imadeaballoonofsuchextensivedimensions，thatanaccountofthesilkitcontainedwouldexceedallcredibility;everymercer’sshopandweaver’sstockinLondon，Westminster，andSpitalfieldscontributedtoit：withthisballoonandmyslingIplayedmanytricks，suchastakingonehousefromitsstation，andplacinganotherinitsstead，withoutdisturbingtheinhabitants，whoweregenerallyasleep，ortoomuchemployedtoobservetheperegrinationsoftheirhabitations。WhenthesentinelatWindsorCastleheardSt。Paul’sclockstrikethirteen，itwasthroughmydexterity;Ibroughtthebuildingsnearlytogetherthatnight，byplacingthecastleinSt。
George’sFields，andcarrieditbackagainbeforedaylight，withoutwakinganyoftheinhabitants;notwithstandingtheseexploits，I
shouldhavekeptmyballoon，anditspropertiesasecret，ifMontgolfierhadnotmadetheartofflyingsopublic。
Onthe30thofSeptember，whentheCollegeofPhysicianschosetheirannualofficers，anddinedsumptuouslytogether，Ifilledmyballoon，broughtitoverthedomeoftheirbuilding，clappedtheslingroundthegoldenballatthetop，fasteningtheotherendofittotheballoon，andimmediatelyascendedwiththewholecollegetoanimmenseheight，whereIkeptthemupwardsofthreemonths。Youwillnaturallyinquirewhattheydidforfoodsuchalengthoftime？TothisI
answer，HadIkeptthemsuspendedtwicethetime，theywouldhaveexperiencednoinconvenienceonthataccount，soamply，orratherextravagantly，hadtheyspreadtheirtableforthatday’sfeasting。
Thoughthiswasmeantasaninnocentfrolic，itwasproductiveofmuchmischieftoseveralrespectablecharactersamongsttheclergy，undertakers，sextons，andgrave—diggers：theywere，itmustbeacknowledged，sufferers;foritisawell—knownfact，thatduringthethreemonthsthecollegewassuspendedintheair，andthereforeincapableofattendingtheirpatients，nodeathshappened，exceptafewwhofellbeforethescytheofFatherTime，andsomemelancholyobjectswho，perhapstoavoidsometriflinginconveniencehere，laidthehandsofviolenceuponthemselves，andplungedintomiseryinfinitelygreaterthanthatwhichtheyhopedbysucharashsteptoavoid，withoutamoment’sconsideration。
Iftheapothecarieshadnotbeenveryactiveduringtheabovetime，halftheundertakersinallprobabilitywouldhavebeenbankrupts。
CHAPTERXIII
ATRIPTOTHENORTH
/TheBaronsailswithCaptainPhipps，attackstwolargebears，andhasaverynarrowescape——Gainstheconfidenceoftheseanimals，andthendestroysthousandsofthem;loadstheshipwiththeirhamsandskins;makespresentsoftheformer，andobtainsageneralinvitationtoallcityfeasts——AdisputebetweentheCaptainandtheBaron，inwhich，frommotivesofpoliteness，theCaptainissufferedtogainhispoint——TheBarondeclinestheofferofathrone，andanempressintothebargain。/
WeallrememberCaptainPhipps’s（nowLordMulgrave）lastvoyageofdiscoverytothenorth。Iaccompaniedthecaptain，notasanofficer，butasaprivatefriend。WhenwearrivedinahighnorthernlatitudeI
wasviewingtheobjectsaroundmewiththetelescopewhichI
introducedtoyournoticeinmyGibraltaradventures。IthoughtIsawtwolargewhitebearsinviolentactionuponabodyoficeconsiderablyabovethemasts，andabouthalfaleaguedistance。I
immediatelytookmycarbine，slungitacrossmyshoulder，andascendedtheice。WhenIarrivedatthetop，theunevennessofthesurfacemademyapproachtothoseanimalstroublesomeandhazardousbeyondexpression：sometimeshideouscavitiesopposedme，whichIwasobligedtospringover;inotherpartsthesurfacewasassmoothasamirror，andIwascontinuallyfalling：asIapproachednearenoughtoreachthem，Ifoundtheywereonlyatplay。Iimmediatelybegantocalculatethevalueoftheirskins，fortheywereeachaslargeasawell—fedox：unfortunately，attheveryinstantIwaspresentingmycarbinemyrightfootslipped，Ifelluponmyback，andtheviolenceoftheblowdeprivedmetotallyofmysensesfornearlyhalfanhour;however，whenIrecovered，judgeofmysurpriseatfindingoneofthoselargeanimalsIhavebeenjustdescribinghadturnedmeuponmyface，andwasjustlayingholdofthewaistbandofmybreeches，whichwerethennewandmadeofleather：hewascertainlygoingtocarrymefeetforemost，Godknowswhere，whenItookthisknife（showingalargeclaspknife）outofmyside—pocket，madeachopatoneofhishindfeet，andcutoffthreeofhistoes;heimmediatelyletmedropandroaredmosthorribly。Itookupmycarbineandfiredathimasheranoff;hefelldirectly。Thenoiseofthepiecerousedseveralthousandofthesewhitebears，whowereasleepupontheicewithinhalfamileofme;theycameimmediatelytothespot。Therewasnotimetobelost。Amostfortunatethoughtarrivedinmypericraniumjustatthatinstant。Itookofftheskinandheadofthedeadbearinhalfthetimethatsomepeoplewouldbeinskinningarabbit，andwrappedmyselfinit，placingmyownheaddirectlyunderBruin’s;thewholeherdcameroundmeimmediately，andmyapprehensionsthrewmeintoamostpiteoussituationtobesure：however，myschemeturnedoutamostadmirableoneformyownsafety。Theyallcamesmelling，andevidentlytookmeforabrotherBruin;Iwantednothingbutbulktomakeanexcellentcounterfeit：however，Isawseveralcubsamongstthemnotmuchlargerthanmyself。Aftertheyhadallsmeltme，andthebodyoftheirdeceasedcompanion，whoseskinwasnowbecomemyprotector，weseemedverysociable，andIfoundIcouldmimicalltheiractionstolerablywell;butatgrowling，roaring，andhuggingtheywerequitemymasters。IbegannowtothinkthatImightturnthegeneralconfidencewhichIhadcreatedamongsttheseanimalstomyadvantage。