8848.comEn原版英语to stay at home with my wife and family.I removed from the Old Jewry to Fetter Lane, andfrom thence to Wapping,hopingto getbusiness among the sailors; but it would not turn toaccount.After threeyears expectation thatthingswouldmend,Iaccepted an advantageousofferfromCaptainWilliamPrichard,masteroftheAntelope,whowasmakingavoyagetothe South Sea.We set sail from Bristol, May 4, 1699, and our voyage was at first veryprosperous.It would notbe proper,for somereasons, to trouble thereader with the particulars ofouradventures in those seas;let it suffice to inform him,that in our passage from thence to theEast Indies, we were driven by a violent storm to the north-west of Van Diemen's Land. Byan observation,wefound ourselves in the latitude of 30 degrees 2minutes south.Twelve ofour crewweredead byimmoderatelabour and ill food;therest werein averyweakcondition.On the5th of November, which was thebeginning of summerin thoseparts, theweatherbeing veryhazy,theseamen spied a rock within halfa cable'slength of theship;butthewind was so strong,that we weredriven directly upon it, and immediatelysplit.Six ofthe crew,of whom I was one, having letdown the boat into the sea, madea shift toget clearoftheship and therock.Werowed,bymycomputation,aboutthreeleagues,till we wereable to work no longer, being already spent with labour while we were in the ship. Wetherefore trusted ourselves to the mercy of the waves, and in about half an hour the boatwas oversetbya suddenflurryfromthenorth.What becameofmy companions intheboat,as well asofthosewhoescaped ontherock,or were left inthevessel, I cannottell; butconclude they were all lost. For my own part, I swam as fortune directed me, and waspushed forward by wind and tide. I often let my legs drop, and could feel no bottom; butwhenI was almostgone,andableto strugglenolonger,Ifound myself within mydepth; andby this time the storm wasmuch abated.The declivity was so small, that I walked near a milebefore I got to the shore, which I conjectured was about eight o'clock in the evening.I thenadvanced forward near halfamile,but could notdiscover any sign of houses or inhabitants;at least I wasin so weak a condition,thatIdid notobservethem.Iwas extremelytired,andwiththat,and theheat ofthe weather,and about half a pint of brandy thatI drank asI leftthe ship, I found myselfmuch inclined to sleep.I laydown on thegrass, which was very shortand soft, whereI slept sounderthan ever I remembered to havedonein mylife,and,asIreckoned, about ninehours; for when I awaked, it was justday-light. Iattempted to rise, butwas notabletostir:for,asIhappened tolieon myback,I found myarmsandlegswerestronglyfastened on each sideto theground;and myhair,whichwaslong and thick,tieddown in thesame manner.I likewisefelt several slender ligatures across my body,from myarm-pits to my thighs. I could only look upwards; the sun began to grow hot, and the lightoffendedmyeyes.Ihearda confused noiseaboutme; but inthepostureIlay,could seenothing exceptthesky.InalittletimeIfelt somethingalivemovingonmyleftleg,whichadvancinggentlyforward overmybreast, camealmostuptomychin;when, bendingmyeyes downwards as much as I could, I perceived it to be a human creature not six incheshigh, with a bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at his back.In the mean time,Ifelt at第6页共197页http://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
to stay at home with my wife and family. I removed from the Old Jewry to Fetter Lane, and from thence to Wapping, hoping to get business among the sailors; but it would not turn to account. After three years expectation that things would mend, I accepted an advantageous offer from Captain William Prichard, master of the Antelope, who was making a voyage to the South Sea. We set sail from Bristol, May 4, 1699, and our voyage was at first very prosperous. It would not be proper, for some reasons, to trouble the reader with the particulars of our adventures in those seas; let it suffice to inform him, that in our passage from thence to the East Indies, we were driven by a violent storm to the north-west of Van Diemen's Land. By an observation, we found ourselves in the latitude of 30 degrees 2 minutes south. Twelve of our crew were dead by immoderate labour and ill food; the rest were in a very weak condition. On the 5th of November, which was the beginning of summer in those parts, the weather being very hazy, the seamen spied a rock within half a cable's length of the ship; but the wind was so strong, that we were driven directly upon it, and immediately split. Six of the crew, of whom I was one, having let down the boat into the sea, made a shift to get clear of the ship and the rock. We rowed, by my computation, about three leagues, till we were able to work no longer, being already spent with labour while we were in the ship. We therefore trusted ourselves to the mercy of the waves, and in about half an hour the boat was overset by a sudden flurry from the north. What became of my companions in the boat, as well as of those who escaped on the rock, or were left in the vessel, I cannot tell; but conclude they were all lost. For my own part, I swam as fortune directed me, and was pushed forward by wind and tide. I often let my legs drop, and could feel no bottom; but when I was almost gone, and able to struggle no longer, I found myself within my depth; and by this time the storm was much abated. The declivity was so small, that I walked near a mile before I got to the shore, which I conjectured was about eight o'clock in the evening. I then advanced forward near half a mile, but could not discover any sign of houses or inhabitants; at least I was in so weak a condition, that I did not observe them. I was extremely tired, and with that, and the heat of the weather, and about half a pint of brandy that I drank as I left the ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down on the grass, which was very short and soft, where I slept sounder than ever I remembered to have done in my life, and, as I reckoned, about nine hours; for when I awaked, it was just day-light. I attempted to rise, but was not able to stir: for, as I happened to lie on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly fastened on each side to the ground; and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the same manner. I likewise felt several slender ligatures across my body, from my arm-pits to my thighs. I could only look upwards; the sun began to grow hot, and the light offended my eyes. I heard a confused noise about me; but in the posture I lay, could see nothing except the sky. In a little time I felt something alive moving on my left leg, which advancing gently forward over my breast, came almost up to my chin; when, bending my eyes downwards as much as I could, I perceived it to be a human creature not six inches high, with a bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at his back. In the mean time, I felt at 第 6 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
8848.comEn原版英语least forty more of the same kind (as I conjectured) following the first. I was in the utmostastonishment, and roared so loud, that they all ran back in a fright; and some of them, as Iwas afterwardstold,werehurtwiththefallstheygotbyleapingfrom my sides upontheground.However,they soonreturned,and oneof them,who ventured sofarastogetafullsightofmyface, liftingup his hands and eyes by way of admiration, cried out ina shrill butdistinctvoice,Hekinahdegul:theothersrepeatedthesamewordsseveraltimes,butthenIknew not what they meant. Ilay all this while,as the reader may believe, in great uneasiness.At length,strugglingtogetloose,I had thefortunetobreak the strings, and wrench out thepegs thatfastened my leftarm to theground;for,bylifting it up to myface,Idiscovered themethodstheyhad takentobind me, and atthe sametime with a violentpull,which gavemeexcessive pain,I a littleloosened the strings that tied down myhair on the left side, so that Iwas just able to turn my head about two inches. But the creatures ran off a second time,beforeI could seize them; whereupon there was a great shout in a very shrill accent, andafter it ceased I heard one of them cry aloud Tolgophonac; when in an instantIfelt aboveahundredarrowsdischarged onmylefthand,which,prickedmelikesomanyneedles,andbesides,they shot another flight intothe air,as we dobombsin Europe,whereofmany,Isuppose, fell on my body, (though I felt them not),and some on my face, which Iimmediatelycovered with my left hand. When this shower of arrows was over, I fell a groaning with griefand pain; and then striving again to get loose, they discharged another volley larger than thefirst, and some ofthemattempted with spearsto stick me in thesides;butbygood luckI hadona buff jerkin, which they could notpierce.I thought it the mostprudent method to lie still,andmy design was to continue so till night, when, myleft hand beingalreadyloose, I couldeasily free myself:and as forthe inhabitants, I had reason to believeI mightbea matchforthegreatestarmythey could bringagainst me, if they were all of the same size with himthatI saw.Butfortunedisposed otherwiseofme.WhenthepeopleobservedIwas quiet,theydischarged no more arrows; but, bythe noiseI heard, Iknew their numbers increased; andabout four yards from me, over against my right ear, I heard aknockingfor above an hour,likethat ofpeopleatwork; when turning my head that way,aswell as the pegs and stringswould permit me, I saw a stage erected about a foot and a half from the ground, capable ofholding four of the inhabitants, with two or three ladders to mount it: from whence one ofthem, who seemed to be a person of quality,mademea long speech,whereofI understoodnotonesyllable.ButIshouldhavementioned,thatbeforetheprincipalpersonbeganhisoration, he cried out threetimes, Langrodehul san (these words and theformerwereafterwards repeatedandexplainedtome);whereupon,immediately,aboutfiftyoftheinhabitants cameand cutthestrings that fastened theleft side of myhead,which gavemethelibertyofturningittotheright, and ofobservingtheperson and gestureofhim that wastospeak.Heappeared tobeofamiddleage, and taller than anyof the other threewhoattended him, whereof one was a page that held up his train, and seemed to be somewhatlongerthanmymiddlefinger;theothertwostoodoneoneachsidetosupporthim.Heactedeverypartofan orator,and Icouldobservemanyperiods of threatenings,and othersofpromises,pity,andkindness.Iansweredinafewwords,butinthemostsubmissivemanner,lifting upmyleft hand,and bothmy eyestothesun,as calling himforawitness;andbeingalmostfamished with hunger,having not eaten a morsel for some hours beforeI left the第7页共197页http://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
least forty more of the same kind (as I conjectured) following the first. I was in the utmost astonishment, and roared so loud, that they all ran back in a fright; and some of them, as I was afterwards told, were hurt with the falls they got by leaping from my sides upon the ground. However, they soon returned, and one of them, who ventured so far as to get a full sight of my face, lifting up his hands and eyes by way of admiration, cried out in a shrill but distinct voice, Hekinah degul: the others repeated the same words several times, but then I knew not what they meant. I lay all this while, as the reader may believe, in great uneasiness. At length, struggling to get loose, I had the fortune to break the strings, and wrench out the pegs that fastened my left arm to the ground; for, by lifting it up to my face, I discovered the methods they had taken to bind me, and at the same time with a violent pull, which gave me excessive pain, I a little loosened the strings that tied down my hair on the left side, so that I was just able to turn my head about two inches. But the creatures ran off a second time, before I could seize them; whereupon there was a great shout in a very shrill accent, and after it ceased I heard one of them cry aloud Tolgo phonac; when in an instant I felt above a hundred arrows discharged on my left hand, which, pricked me like so many needles; and besides, they shot another flight into the air, as we do bombs in Europe, whereof many, I suppose, fell on my body, (though I felt them not), and some on my face, which I immediately covered with my left hand. When this shower of arrows was over, I fell a groaning with grief and pain; and then striving again to get loose, they discharged another volley larger than the first, and some of them attempted with spears to stick me in the sides; but by good luck I had on a buff jerkin, which they could not pierce. I thought it the most prudent method to lie still, and my design was to continue so till night, when, my left hand being already loose, I could easily free myself: and as for the inhabitants, I had reason to believe I might be a match for the greatest army they could bring against me, if they were all of the same size with him that I saw. But fortune disposed otherwise of me. When the people observed I was quiet, they discharged no more arrows; but, by the noise I heard, I knew their numbers increased; and about four yards from me, over against my right ear, I heard a knocking for above an hour, like that of people at work; when turning my head that way, as well as the pegs and strings would permit me, I saw a stage erected about a foot and a half from the ground, capable of holding four of the inhabitants, with two or three ladders to mount it: from whence one of them, who seemed to be a person of quality, made me a long speech, whereof I understood not one syllable. But I should have mentioned, that before the principal person began his oration, he cried out three times, Langro dehul san (these words and the former were afterwards repeated and explained to me); whereupon, immediately, about fifty of the inhabitants came and cut the strings that fastened the left side of my head, which gave me the liberty of turning it to the right, and of observing the person and gesture of him that was to speak. He appeared to be of a middle age, and taller than any of the other three who attended him, whereof one was a page that held up his train, and seemed to be somewhat longer than my middle finger; the other two stood one on each side to support him. He acted every part of an orator, and I could observe many periods of threatenings, and others of promises, pity, and kindness. I answered in a few words, but in the most submissive manner, lifting up my left hand, and both my eyes to the sun, as calling him for a witness; and being almost famished with hunger, having not eaten a morsel for some hours before I left the 第 7 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
8848comEn原版英语ship, I found the demands of nature so strong upon me, that I could not forbear showing myimpatience (perhaps against the strict rules ofdecency)byputting myfinger frequently tomy mouth,to signifythat I wantedfood.The hurgo (for so they call agreat lord, as Iafterwardslearnt)understoodmevery well.Hedescended from the stage, and commandedthatseveralladdersshouldbeappliedtomysides,onwhichaboveahundredoftheinhabitantsmountedandwalkedtowardsmymouth,ladenwithbasketsfullofmeat,whichhad been provided and sent thither by the king's orders, upon the first intelligence hereceived of me.Iobserved therewasthefleshof several animals,butcould notdistinguishthem by thetaste.Therewere shoulders, legs, and loins, shaped like those of mutton, andvery well dressed, but smaller than the wings of alark.Iate them by two or threeatamouthful, andtookthreeloavesatatime,aboutthebignessofmusketbullets.Theysuppliedme as fast as they could, showing a thousand marks of wonder and astonishment at my bulkand appetite.I then made another sign, that I wanted drink. They found by my eating that asmall quantity would notsufficeme;and being amostingeniouspeople,theyslungup,withgreat dexterity,one oftheir largest hogsheads, then rolled ittowardsmy hand,and beatoutthe top; I drank it off at a draught, which I might well do, for it did not hold half a pint, andtasted like a small wine of Burgundy,but much more delicious.They brought me a secondhogshead, which Idrank in the same manner, and made signsfor more; but they had none togive me. When I had performed these wonders, they shouted for joy, and danced upon mybreast, repeating several times as they did at first, Hekinah degul. Theymade me a sign that Ishould throwdownthetwohogsheads,butfirst warningthepeoplebelowtostand out oftheway,cryingaloud,Borachmevolah;and whentheysawthevessels intheair,therewasauniversal shoutof Hekinahdegul.IconfessIwas oftentempted,whiletheywerepassingbackwardsandforwardsonmybody,toseizefortyorfiftyofthefirstthatcameinmyreachand dash them against theground.But theremembrance ofwhatI hadfelt, which probablymight not be the worst they could do,and thepromise of honour I made them--for so Iinterpreted my submissivebehaviour--soon drove out these imaginations.Besides, I nowconsidered myselfasbound bythelawsofhospitality,toapeoplewhohadtreated me withso much expense and magnificence. However, in my thoughts I could not sufficiently wonderattheintrepidityof thesediminutivemortals,whodurstventuretomount and walk uponmy body,while oneofmy hands was at liberty,without trembling atthe very sightof soprodigious a creature as I must appear to them.After some time, when they observed thatImadeno more demands formeat, thereappearedbeforemeaperson of highrankfrom hisimperial majesty.His excellency,having mounted on the small ofmyrightleg,advancedforwards up to myface, with about a dozen of his retinue; and producing his credentialsunder the signet royal, which he applied close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes withoutany signs of anger, but with a kind of determinate resolution, often pointing forwards, which,asIafterwards found, was towards thecapital city,about halfa mile distant; whither it wasagreedbyhismajestyincouncil thatImustbeconveyed.Iansweredinfewwords,buttonopurpose, and made a sign with my hand that was loose, putting it to the other (but over hisexcellency's head forfear of hurting himor histrain)andthentomyown head and body,tosignify thatIdesired my liberty.It appeared that he understood me well enough, for heshook his head by way of disapprobation, and held his hand in a posture to show that I must第8页共197页htp://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
ship, I found the demands of nature so strong upon me, that I could not forbear showing my impatience (perhaps against the strict rules of decency) by putting my finger frequently to my mouth, to signify that I wanted food. The hurgo (for so they call a great lord, as I afterwards learnt) understood me very well. He descended from the stage, and commanded that several ladders should be applied to my sides, on which above a hundred of the inhabitants mounted and walked towards my mouth, laden with baskets full of meat, which had been provided and sent thither by the king's orders, upon the first intelligence he received of me. I observed there was the flesh of several animals, but could not distinguish them by the taste. There were shoulders, legs, and loins, shaped like those of mutton, and very well dressed, but smaller than the wings of a lark. I ate them by two or three at a mouthful, and took three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket bullets. They supplied me as fast as they could, showing a thousand marks of wonder and astonishment at my bulk and appetite. I then made another sign, that I wanted drink. They found by my eating that a small quantity would not suffice me; and being a most ingenious people, they slung up, with great dexterity, one of their largest hogsheads, then rolled it towards my hand, and beat out the top; I drank it off at a draught, which I might well do, for it did not hold half a pint, and tasted like a small wine of Burgundy, but much more delicious. They brought me a second hogshead, which I drank in the same manner, and made signs for more; but they had none to give me. When I had performed these wonders, they shouted for joy, and danced upon my breast, repeating several times as they did at first, Hekinah degul. They made me a sign that I should throw down the two hogsheads, but first warning the people below to stand out of the way, crying aloud, Borach mevolah; and when they saw the vessels in the air, there was a universal shout of Hekinah degul. I confess I was often tempted, while they were passing backwards and forwards on my body, to seize forty or fifty of the first that came in my reach, and dash them against the ground. But the remembrance of what I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the promise of honour I made them-for so I interpreted my submissive behaviour- soon drove out these imaginations. Besides, I now considered myself as bound by the laws of hospitality, to a people who had treated me with so much expense and magnificence. However, in my thoughts I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals, who durst venture to mount and walk upon my body, while one of my hands was at liberty, without trembling at the very sight of so prodigious a creature as I must appear to them. After some time, when they observed that I made no more demands for meat, there appeared before me a person of high rank from his imperial majesty. His excellency, having mounted on the small of my right leg, advanced forwards up to my face, with about a dozen of his retinue; and producing his credentials under the signet royal, which he applied close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes without any signs of anger, but with a kind of determinate resolution, often pointing forwards, which, as I afterwards found, was towards the capital city, about half a mile distant; whither it was agreed by his majesty in council that I must be conveyed. I answered in few words, but to no purpose, and made a sign with my hand that was loose, putting it to the other (but over his excellency's head for fear of hurting him or his train) and then to my own head and body, to signify that I desired my liberty. It appeared that he understood me well enough, for he shook his head by way of disapprobation, and held his hand in a posture to show that I must 第 8 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
En84原版英语be carried as a prisoner. However, he made other signs to let me understand that I shouldhave meat and drink enough, and very good treatment Whereupon I once more thought ofattemptingtobreak mybonds; butagain, whenIfeltthesmartoftheirarrowsupon myfaceand hands, which were all in blisters,andmany of the darts still sticking in them,andobservinglikewisethatthenumberofmyenemiesincreased,Igavetokenstoletthemknowthat they might dowithme what theypleased.Upon this,thehurgo and histrain withdrew,with much civility and cheerful countenances. Soon after I heard a general shout, withfrequentrepetitionsofthewordsPeplomselan;andIfeltgreatnumbersofpeopleonmyleftside relaxing the cords to such a degree, that I was able to turn upon my right, and to easemyselfwithmakingwater; whichI very plentifully did, tothegreat astonishmentof thepeople; who, conjecturingbymy motionwhat I wasgoing to do, immediately opened to theright and left on that side, to avoid the torrent, which fell with such noise and violence fromme. But before this, they had daubed my face and both my hands with a sort of ointment,verypleasant to the smell, which, in a fewminutes, removed all the smartof their arrows.These circumstances,addedtotherefreshmentI had receivedbytheirvictuals and drink,which wereverynourishing,disposed meto sleep.I slept about eighthours,asI wasafterwards assured; and it was no wonder, for thephysicians, by the emperor's order, hadmingledasleepypotioninthehogsheadsofwine.Itseems,thatuponthefirst momentIwasdiscovered sleepingontheground, aftermylanding,theemperorhad earlynotice ofit byan express; and determined in council, that Ishould be tied in the manner I have related, (which was done in the night while I slept;) thatplenty of meat and drink should be sent to me, and a machine prepared to carry me to thecapital city.This resolution perhaps may appear very bold and dangerous, and I am confident would notbe imitated by any prince in Europe on the like occasion. However, in my opinion, it wasextremely prudent, as well as generous: for, supposing these people had endeavoured to killme with their spears and arrows,whileI wasasleep,I should certainlyhaveawaked with thefirst sense of smart, which might so far have roused my rage and strength, as to have enabledmetobreak thestrings wherewith I was tied;afterwhich,astheywerenotabletomakeresistance, so they could expect no mercy.These people are most excellent mathematicians, and arrived to a great perfection inmechanics, by the countenance and encouragement of the emperor, who is a renownedpatron of learning. This prince has several machines fixed on wheels, for the carriage oftreesandothergreatweights.Heoften builds hislargest men of war,whereof someareninefeetlong,inthewoods wherethetimbergrows,and hasthemcarried ontheseengines threeorfour hundred yards to the sea.Fivehundred carpentersand engineerswere immediately set第9页共197页http://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
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 people on my left side relaxing the cords to such a degree, that I was able to turn upon my right, and to ease myself with making water; which I very plentifully did, to the great astonishment of the people; who, conjecturing by my motion what I was going to do, immediately opened to the right and left on that side, to avoid the torrent, which fell with such noise and violence from me. 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 afterwards 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 endeavoured 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. 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 第 9 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
En84原版英语at work to prepare the greatest engine they had. It was a frame of wood raised three inchesfrom the ground, about seven feet long, and four wide, moving upon twenty-two wheels. TheshoutI heard was upon thearrival of this engine, which, it seems, set out infour hours aftermy landing.Itwas broughtparallel to me, as I lay.But theprincipal difficultywas toraiseandplaceme in this vehicle.Eightypoles,eachofonefoot high,wereerectedfor thispurpose, andvery strong cords, of thebignessofpackthread,werefastened byhookstomany bandages, which the workmen had girt round my neck, my hands, my body, and mylegs. Nine hundred of the strongest men were employed to draw up these cords, by manypulleysfastened on the poles; and thus, in less than three hours, I was raised and slung intothe engine, and there tied fast. All this I was told; for, while the operation was performing, Ilay in aprofound sleep,by theforce ofthat soporiferous medicine infused intomyliquor.Fifteen hundred of the emperor's largest horses, each about four inches and a half high, wereemployed to drawmetowardsthemetropolis,which,asI said,was halfa miledistantAboutfour hoursafterwebegan our journey,Iawakedbyaveryridiculousaccident;forthecarriage being stopped a while, to adjust something that was out of order, two or three of theyoung nativeshad the curiosityto see howIlooked when Iwas asleep; theyclimbed up intotheengine,and advancingverysoftlytomyface,oneofthem,anofficerin theguards,putthe sharp end of his half-pike a good way up into my left nostril, which tickled my nose like astraw,andmade me sneezeviolently;whereupon theystoleoff unperceived, and it wasthreeweeks beforeIknewthecauseofmy waking sosuddenly.Wemadealongmarchtheremaining part of the day, and, rested at night with five hundred guards on each side of me,halfwithtorches,and halfwith bows and arrows,readyto shootme ifI should offer to stir.Thenextmorning at sun-risewe continued our march,and arrived withintwo hundredyards of the citygates about noon.The emperor, and all his court, came out to meetus; buthis great officers would by no means suffer his majesty to endanger his person by mountingon mybody.At theplacewherethecarriagestoppedtherestoodan ancienttemple,esteemed tobethelargest in the whole kingdom; which, having been polluted some years before by anunnaturalmurder,was,accordingtothezealofthosepeople,lookeduponasprofaneandtherefore had been applied tocommon use,and all the ornaments andfurniturecarriedaway.Inthis edifice it was determined Ishould lodge.Thegreatgatefrontingtothenorthwas about fourfeet high,and almost twofeet wide,through which I could easily creep.Oneach side of thegate wasa small window,not above six inchesfrom theground:into that onthe left side, the king's smith conveyed fourscore and eleven chains, like those that hang to alady's watch in Europe, and almost as large, which were locked to my left leg with six-and-thirtypadlocks.Overagainstthis temple, ontheother side of thegreathighway,at twentyfeetdistance, there was aturret at leastfivefeet high.Herethe emperor ascended, withmany principal lords of his court, to have an opportunity of viewing me, as I was told, for!第10页共197页htp://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
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 packthread, 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 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 towards 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 a while, 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 into the engine, and advancing very softly to my face, one of them, an officer in the guards, put the sharp end of his half-pike a good way up into my left nostril, which tickled my nose like a straw, and made me sneeze violently; whereupon they stole off unperceived, and it was three weeks before I knew the cause of my waking so suddenly. We made a long march the remaining part of the day, and, rested at night with five hundred guards on each side of me, half with torches, and half with bows and arrows, ready to shoot me if I should offer to stir. The next morning at sun-rise we continued our march, and arrived within two hundred yards of the city gates about noon. The emperor, and all his court, came out to meet us; but his great officers would by no means suffer his majesty to endanger his person by mounting on my body. At the place where the carriage stopped there stood an ancient temple, esteemed to be the largest in the whole kingdom; which, having been polluted some years before by an unnatural murder, was, according to the zeal of those people, looked upon as profane, and therefore had been applied to common use, and all the ornaments and furniture carried away. In this edifice it was determined I should lodge. The great gate fronting to the north was about four feet high, and almost two feet wide, through which I could easily creep. On each side of the gate was a small window, not above six inches from the ground: into that on the left side, the king's smith conveyed fourscore and eleven chains, like those that hang to a lady's watch in Europe, and almost as large, which were locked to my left leg with six-andthirty padlocks. Over against this temple, on the other side of the great highway, at twenty feet distance, there was a turret at least five feet high. Here the emperor ascended, with many principal lords of his court, to have an opportunity of viewing me, as I was told, for I 第 10 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网