When he reached the trysting place, he f_The Elson Readers, Book 5

assembled, the Sheriff with them, and the rules of the match were read

out: where they were to stand, how far the mark was to be, and that

three tries should be given to every man.

Some of the shooters shot near the mark; some of them even touched it;

but none but Little John split the slender wand of willow with every

arrow that flew from his bow.

At this sight the Sheriff of Nottingham swore that Little John was the

best archer that ever he had seen, and asked him who he was and where

he was born, and vowed that if he would enter his service he would

give twenty marks a year to so good a bowman.

Little John, who did not wish to confess that he was one of Robin

Hood's men and an outlaw, said his name was Reynold Greenleaf, and

that he was in the service of a Knight, whose leave he must get before

he became the servant of any man.

This was given heartily by the Knight whose lands had been saved by

the kindness of Robin Hood, and Little John bound himself to the

Sheriff for the space of twelve months, and was given a good white

horse to ride on whenever he went abroad. But for all that, he did not

like his bargain, and made up his mind to do the Sheriff, who was

hated of the outlaws, all the mischief he could.

His chance came on a Wednesday, when the Sheriff always went hunting,

and Little John lay in bed till noon, or till he grew hungry. Then he

got up and told the steward that he wanted some dinner. The steward

answered that he should have nothing till the Sheriff came home; so

Little John grumbled and left him, and sought out the butler.

Here he was no more successful than before; the butler just went to

the buttery door and locked it, and told Little John that he would

have to make himself happy till his lord returned.

Rude words mattered nothing to Little John, who was not, accustomed to

be balked by trifles; so he gave a mighty kick, which burst open the

door, and then ate and drank as much as he would, and when he had

finished all there was in the buttery, he went down into the kitchen.

Now the Sheriff's cook was a strong man and a bold one, and had no

mind to let another man play the king in his kitchen; so he gave

Little John three smart blows, which were returned heartily. "Thou art

a brave man and hardy," said Little John, "and a good fighter withal.

I have a sword; take you another, and let us see which is the better

man of us twain."

The cook did as he was bid, and for two hours they fought, neither of

them harming the other. "Fellow," said Little John at last, "you are

one of the best swordsmen that I ever saw--and if you could shoot as

well with the bow, I would take you back to the merry greenwood, and

Robin Hood would give you twenty marks a year and two changes of

clothing."

"Put up your sword," said the cook, "and I will go with you. But first

we will have some food in my kitchen, and carry off a little of the

gold and silver that is in the Sheriff's treasure house."

They ate and drank till they wanted no more, and they broke the locks

of the treasure house, and took of the silver as much as they could

carry, and of the gold, three hundred pounds and more, and departed

unseen by anyone to Robin in the forest.

"Welcome! welcome!" cried Robin, when he saw them; "a welcome, too,

to the fair yeoman you bring with you. What tidings from Nottingham,

Little John?"

"The proud Sheriff greets you, and sends you by my hand his cook and

his silver vessels, and three hundred pounds and three also."

Robin shook his head, for he knew better than to believe Little John's

tale. "It was never by his good will that you brought such treasure to

me," he answered; and Little John, fearing that he might be ordered to

take it back again, slipped away into the forest to carry out a plan

that had just come into his head.

He ran straight on for five miles, till he came up with the Sheriff,

who was still hunting, and flung himself on his knees before him.

"Reynold Greenleaf," cried the Sheriff, "what are you doing here, and

where have you been?"

"I have been in the forest, where I saw a fair hart of a green color,

and seven score deer feeding hard by."

"That sight would I see too," said the Sheriff.

"Then follow me," answered Little John, and he ran back the way he

came, the Sheriff following on horseback, till they turned a corner of

the forest, and found themselves in Robin Hood's presence. "Sir, here

is the master hart," said Little John.

Still stood the proud Sheriff; A sorry man was he. "Woe be to you,

Reynold Greenleaf; Thou hast betrayed me!"

"It was not my fault," answered Little John, "but the fault of your

servants, master; for they would not give me my dinner." So he went

away to see to the supper.

It was spread under the greenwood tree, and they sat down to it,

hungry men all. But when the Sheriff saw himself served from his own

dishes, his appetite went from him.

"Take heart, man," said Robin Hood, "and think not we will poison you.

For charity's sake, and for the love of Little John, your life shall

be granted you. Only for twelve months you shall dwell with me, and

learn what it is to be an outlaw."

To the Sheriff this punishment was worse to bear than the loss of

gold, or silver dishes, and earnestly he begged Robin Hood to set him

free, vowing he would prove himself the best friend that ever the

foresters had.

Neither Robin nor any of his men believed him; but he swore that he

would never seek to do them harm, and that if he found any of them in

evil plight he would deliver them out of it. With that Robin let him

go.

HOW ROBIN MET FRIAR TUCK

In many ways life in the forest was dull in the winter, and often the

days passed slowly; but in summer, when the leaves were green, and

flowers and ferns covered all the woodland, Robin Hood and his men

would come out of their warm resting places, like the rabbits and the

squirrels, and would play, too. Races they ran to stretch their legs,

or leaping matches were arranged, or they would shoot at a mark.

Anything was pleasant when the grass was soft once more under their

feet.

"Who of you can kill a hart five hundred paces off?" So said Robin to

his men one bright May morning; and they went into the wood and tried

their skill, and in the end it was Little John who brought down the

hart, to the great joy of Robin Hood.

"I would ride my horse a hundred miles to find one who could match

with thee," he said to Little John; and Will Scarlett, who was perhaps

rather jealous of this mighty deed, answered, with a laugh, "There

lives a friar in Fountains Abbey who would beat both him and you."

Now Robin Hood did not like to be told that any man could shoot better

than himself or his foresters; so he swore lustily that he would

neither eat nor drink till he had seen that friar. Leaving his men

where they were, he put on a coat of mail and a steel cap, took his

shield and sword, slung his bow over his shoulder, and filled his

quiver with arrows. Thus armed, he set forth to Fountains Dale.

By the side of the river a friar was walking, armed like Robin, but

without a bow. At this sight Robin jumped from his horse, which he

tied to a thorn, and called to the friar to carry him over the water,

or it would cost him his life.

The friar said nothing, but hoisted Robin on his broad back and

marched into the river. Not a word was spoken till they reached the

other side, when Robin leaped, lightly down, and was going on his way.

Then the friar stopped him. "Not so fast, my fine fellow," said he.

"It is my turn now, and you shall take me across the river, or woe

will betide you."

So Robin carried him, and when they had reached the side from which

they had started, he set down the friar and jumped for the second

time on his back, and bade him take him whence he had come. The friar

strode into the stream with his burden, but as soon as they got to the

middle he bent his head, and Robin fell into the water. "Now you can

sink or swim, as you like," said the friar, as he stood and laughed.

Robin Hood swam to a bush of golden broom, and pulled himself out of

the water; and while the friar was scrambling out, Robin fitted an

arrow to his bow and let fly at him. But the friar quickly held up his

shield, and the arrow fell harmless.

"Shoot on, my fine fellow; shoot on all day if you like," shouted the

friar; and Robin shot till his arrows were gone, but always missed his

mark. Then they took their swords, and at four of the afternoon they

were still fighting.

By this time Robin's strength was wearing, and he felt he could not

fight much more. "A boon, a boon!" cried he. "Let me but blow three

blasts on my horn, and I will thank you on my bended knees for it."

The friar told him to blow as many blasts as he liked, and in an

instant the forest echoed with his horn; it was but a few minutes

before half a hundred yeomen were racing over the lea. The friar

stared when he saw them; then, turning to Robin, he begged of him a

boon also; and leave being granted, he gave three whistles, which were

followed by the noise of a great crashing through the trees, as fifty

great dogs bounded toward him.

"Here's a dog for each of your men," said the friar, "and I myself for

you"; but the dogs did not listen to his words, for two of them rushed

at Robin and tore his mantle of Lincoln green from off his back. His

men were kept busy defending themselves, for every arrow shot at a dog

was caught and held in the creature's mouth.

Robin's men were not used to fight with dogs, and felt they were

getting beaten. At last Little John bade the friar call off his dogs,

and as he did not do so, he let fly some arrows, which this time left

half a dozen dead on the ground.

"Hold, hold, my good fellow," said the friar, "till your master and I

can come to a bargain"; and when the bargain was made, this was how

it ran: that the friar was to forswear Fountains Abbey and join

Robin Hood, and that he should be paid a golden noble every Sunday

throughout the year, besides a change of clothes on each holy day.

This Friar had kept Fountains Dale Seven long years or more; There was

neither Knight, nor Lord, nor Earl Could make him yield before.

But now he became one of the most famous members of Robin Hood's men

under the name of Friar Tuck.

HOW ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN FELL OUT

One Whitsunday morning, when the sun was shining and the birds

singing, Robin Hood called to Little John to come with him into

Nottingham to church. As was their custom, they took their bows, and

on the way Little John proposed that they should shoot a match, with a

penny for a wager.

Robin, who held that he shot better than any Other man living, laughed

in scorn, and told Little John that he should have three tries to his

master's one, which John without more ado accepted.

But Robin soon repented both of his offer and his scorn, for Little

John speedily won five shillings, whereat Robin became angry and smote

Little John with his hand. Little John was not the man to bear being

treated so, and he told Robin roundly that he would never more own him

for master, and straightway turned back into the wood.

At this, Robin was ashamed of what he had done, but his pride would

not suffer him to say so; and he continued his way to Nottingham, and

entered the Church of St. Mary, not without secret fears, for the

Sheriff of the town was ever his enemy. However, there he was, and

there he meant to stay.

He knelt down in the sight of all the people; but none knew him save

one man only, and he stole out of church and ran to the Sheriff and

bade him come quickly and take his foe.

The Sheriff was not slow to do what he was bidden, and, calling his

men to follow him, he marched to the church. The noise they made in

entering caused Robin to look round. "Alas, alas," he said to himself,

"now miss I Little John."

But he drew his two-handed sword and laid about him in such wise that

twelve of the Sheriff's men lay dead before him. Then Robin found

himself face to face with the Sheriff, and gave him a fierce blow; but

his sword broke on the Sheriff's head, and he had shot away all his

arrows. So the men closed round him and bound his arms.

Ill news travels fast, and not many hours had passed before the

foresters heard that their master was in prison. They wept and moaned

and wrung their hands, and seemed to have gone suddenly mad, till

Little John bade them pluck up their hearts and help him deal with the

Sheriff.

The next morning Little John hid himself and waited with a comrade

till he saw a messenger riding along the road, carrying letters from

the Sheriff to the King, telling him of the capture of Robin Hood.

"Whence come you?" asked Little John, going up to the messenger, "and

can you give us tidings of an outlaw named Robin Hood, who was taken

prisoner yesterday?"

"You may thank me that he is taken," said the rider, "for I laid hands

on him."

"I thank you so much that I and my friend will bear you company," said

Little John, "for in this forest are many wild men who own Robin Hood

for leader, and you ride along this road at the peril of your life."

They went on together, talking the while, when suddenly Little John

seized the horse by the head and pulled down the rider.

"He was my master," said Little John, "That you have brought to bale;

Never shall you come at the King For to tell him that tale."

Then taking the letters, Little John carried them to the King.

When they arrived at the palace in the presence of the King, Little

John and his companion fell on their knees and held out the letters.

"God save you, my liege lord," they said, and the King unfolded the

letters and read them.

Then he handed his own seal to Little John and ordered him to bear it

to the Sheriff and bid him without delay bring Robin Hood unhurt into

his presence. "There never was yeoman in Merry England that I longed

so sore to see," he said.

The King also ordered his treasurer to give the messengers twenty

pounds each, and made them yeomen of the crown.

Little John took the King's seal to the Sheriff, who made him and his

companion welcome because they came from the King. He set a feast for

them, and after he had eaten he fell asleep. Then the two outlaws

stole softly to the prison. They overpowered the guard and, taking the

keys, hunted through the cells until they found Robin Hood. Little

John whispered to his master to follow him, and they crept along till

they reached the lowest part of the city wall, from which they jumped

and were safe and free.

"Now, farewell," said Little John; "I have done you a good turn for an

ill." "Not so," answered Robin Hood; "I make you master of my men and

me." But Little John would hear nothing of it. "I only wish to be your

comrade, and thus it shall be," he replied.

"Little John has beguiled us both," said the King, when he heard of

the adventure.

HOW THE KING VISITED ROBIN HOOD

Now the King had no mind that Robin Hood should do as he willed, and

called his Knights to follow him to Nottingham, where they would lay

plans how best to take captive the outlaw. Here they heard sad tales

of Robin's misdoings, and how of the many herds of wild deer that had

roamed the forest, in some places scarce one deer remained. This was

the work of Robin Hood and his merry men, on whom the King swore

vengeance with a great oath.

"I would I had this Robin Hood in my hands," cried he, "and an end

should soon be put to his doings." So spake the King; but an old

Knight, full of days and wisdom, answered him and warned him that the

task of taking Robin Hood would be a sore one, and best let alone. The

King, who had seen the vanity of his hot words the moment that he had

uttered them, listened to the old man and resolved to bide his time

until perchance some day Robin should fall into his power.

All this time, and for six weeks later that he dwelt in Nottingham,

the King could hear nothing of Robin, who seemed to have vanished

into the earth with his merry men, though one by one the deer were

vanishing, too. At last one day a forester came to the King and told

him that if he would see Robin he must come with him and take five of

his best Knights. The King eagerly sprang up to do his bidding, and

the six men, clad in monks' clothes, mounted their palfreys and rode

merrily along, the King wearing an Abbot's broad hat over his crown,

and singing as he passed through the greenwood. Suddenly at the turn

of a path Robin and his archers appeared before them.

"By your leave, Sir Abbot," said Robin, seizing the King's bridle,

"you will stay a while with us. Know that we are yeomen, who live upon

the King's deer, and other food have we none. Now you have abbeys and

churches, and gold in plenty; therefore give us some of it, in the

name of holy charity."

"I have no more than forty pounds with me," answered the King, "but

sorry I am it is not a hundred, for you should have it all."

So Robin took the forty pounds, and gave half to his men, and then

told the King he might go on his way. "I thank you," said the King,

"but I would have you know that our liege lord has bid me bear you his

seal and pray you to come to Nottingham."

At this message Robin bent his knee.

"I love no man in all the world

So well as I do my King,"

he cried, "and Sir Abbot, for thy tidings, which fill my heart with

joy, today thou shalt dine with me, for love of my King."

Then he led the King into an open place, and Robin took a horn and

blew it loud, and at its blast seven score of young men came speedily

to do his will.

"They are quicker to do his bidding than my men are to do mine," said

the King to himself.

Speedily the foresters set out the dinner, roasts of venison and

loaves of white bread, and Robin and Little John served the King.

"Make good cheer," said Robin, "Abbot, for charity, and then you shall

see what sort of life we lead, so that you may tell our King."

When he had finished eating, the archers took their bows and hung

rose-garlands up with a string, and every man was to shoot through the

garland. If he failed, he should have a buffet on the head from Robin.

Good bowmen as they were, few managed to stand the test. Little John

and Will Scarlett and Much all shot wide of the mark, and at length no

one was left in but Robin himself and Gilbert of the Wide Hand. Then

Robin fired his last bolt, and it fell three fingers from the garland.

"Master," said Gilbert, "you have lost; stand forth and take your

punishment, as was agreed."

"I will take it," answered Robin, "but, Sir Abbot, I pray you that I

may suffer it at your hands."

The King hesitated. "It does not become me," he said, "to smite such

a stout yeoman"; but Robin bade him smite on and spare him not; so he

turned up his sleeve, and gave Robin such a lusty buffet on the head

that he lost his feet and rolled upon the ground.

"There is pith in your arm," said Robin. "Come, shoot a main with me."

And the King took up a bow, and in so doing his hat fell back, and

Robin saw his face.

"My lord the King of England, now I know you well," cried he; and he

fell on his knees, and all the outlaws with him. "Mercy I ask, my lord

the King, for all my brave foresters and me."

"Mercy I grant," then said the King; "and therefore I came hither, to

bid you and your men leave the greenwood and dwell in my Court with

me."

"So shall it be," answered Robin; "I and my men will come to your

Court, and see how your service liketh us."

ROBIN AT COURT

"Have you any green cloth," asked the King, "that you could sell to

me?" and Robin brought out thirty yards and more, and clad the King

and his men in coats of Lincoln green. "Now we will all ride to

Nottingham," said he, and they went merrily, shooting by the way.

The people of Nottingham saw them coming and trembled as they watched

the dark mass of Lincoln green drawing near over the fields. "I fear

lest our King be slain," whispered one to another; "and if Robin Hood

gets into the town, there is not one of us whose life is safe"; and

every man, woman, and child made ready to flee.

The King laughed out when he saw their fright, and called them back.

Right glad were they to hear his voice, and they feasted and made

merry. A few days later the King returned to London, and Robin dwelt

in his Court for twelve months. By that time he had spent a hundred

pounds, for he gave largely to the Knights and squires he met, and

great renown he had for his open-handedness. But his men, who had been

born under the shadow of the forest, could not live amid streets and

houses. One by one they slipped away, till only Little John and Will

Scarlett were left. Then Robin himself grew homesick, and at the

sight of some young men shooting he thought upon the time when he was

accounted the best archer in all England, and went straightway to the

King and begged for leave to go on a pilgrimage.

"I may not say you nay," answered the King; "seven nights you may be

gone and no more." And Robin thanked him, and that evening set out for

the greenwood. It was early morning when he reached it at last, and

listened thirstily to the notes of singing birds, great and small.

"It seems long since I was here," he said to himself; "it would give

me great joy if I could bring down a deer once more"; and he shot a

great hart, and blew his horn, and all the outlaws of the forest came

flocking round him. "Welcome," they said, "our dear master, back to

the greenwood tree"; and they threw off their caps and fell on their

knees before him in delight at his return.

Naught that the King could say would tempt Robin Hood back again, and

he dwelt in the greenwood for two and twenty years after he had run

away from Court. And he was ever a faithful friend, kind to the poor,

and gentle to all women.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS

Historical Note. When William the Conqueror became King of England he

destroyed many villages and towns to make royal forests in which he

might enjoy his favorite sport of hunting. The most famous of the

hunting grounds was in Hampshire and was called the New Forest.

Hundreds of poor people were driven from their homes and left

shelterless that this hunting park might be made. In order to keep up

these hunting grounds, William and the Kings who followed him made

very severe laws for the protection of the deer. The temptation to

shoot these deer must have been very strong, especially to men living

near the forest, for the English at that time excelled all other

nations in the use of the long bow. In consequence of this, many men

killed the King's deer, and fled to the woods to escape punishment.

There they formed into bands and, knowing the forests so well, were

safe from the King's officers. Among these outlaws were many brave and

skillful archers, but none was ever more famous than the hero of this

story, Robin Hood.

Discussion. 1. Why was Robin Hood obliged to live in the forest? 2.

How did he win the friendship of Little John? 3. What did Robin Hood

tell him about the Sheriff of Nottingham? 4. Describe the appearance

of the Knight whom Little John met in the forest. 5. What foods were

prepared for the dinner which Robin Hood invited the Knight? 6. How

had these provisions been obtained? 7. What story did the Knight tell

to Robin Hood? 8. How did Robin Hood help him? 9. Where do you think

the treasure chest was kept? 10. From whom had this treasure been

taken? 11. How did the Knight show his gratitude after he regained his

lands? 12. Why did the Sheriff of Nottingham want Little John in his

service? 13. What thought was constantly in Little John's mind? 14.

How did he accomplish his purpose? 15. What explanation did he give to

Robin Hood for what he brought from the Sheriff's house? 16. How did

he induce the Sheriff to follow him to the place where Robin Hood was?

17. What punishment did Robin Hood decide upon for the Sheriff? Why

did he not carry it out? 18. How was Robin Hood captured by the

Sheriff? 19. What reason do you think the King had for wanting to see

Robin Hood? 20. What did he determine to do after Robin Hood's escape?

21. Find words in which Robin Hood expressed his love for his King.

22. What offer did the King make to Robin Hood and his men? Why did

the King make them such an offer? 23. Why did Robin dislike living at

Court? 24. How long did Robin Hood live in the greenwood after he left

the Court? 25. Under what conditions do you think life in the forest

would be pleasant? 26. What were these men obliged to give up when

they went into the forest to live? 27. What did they gain by living in

the forest? 28. When did Robin Hood show himself generous? 29. When

did Robin show himself merciful? 30. What do you think of Little

John's treatment of the Sheriff of Nottingham after he had lived in

his house? 31. When did Little John show himself a loyal friend? 32.

When did he show himself hard and cruel? 33. What things mentioned in

this story show that the manners and life of the people in England at

this time were rough? 34. What qualities were most admired in men at

the time of Robin Hood? 35. What was the reason for this? 36. Make a

list showing the good qualities of Robin Hood, such as his courtesy,

his justice, his sense of fair play. Mention the incidents that

illustrate each characteristic. 37. Show that this story has the two

values mentioned in the last paragraph of page 146. 38. Why did Robin

dislike the Sheriff? 39. Find, from the story, ways in which poor or

unfortunate men were oppressed by the laws in those days. 40. Did the

laws seem made to give equal justice to all, or unfair advantages to

the rich and powerful? 41. How do you think Robin felt about these

matters? 42. How did he try to take the side of the poor men who were

thus unfairly dealt with by the government? 43. Tell the story of

Friar Tuck. 44. Why did the King take such an interest in Robin? Do

you think the King was glad to get away from the Court? Why? 45. What

did he say about the way in which Robin was obeyed by his followers?

46. What does the Forward Look tell you about the source of this

story? 47. Class readings: Little John's first adventure, omitting all

but the dialogue, (3 pupils); Robin and his archers with the King;

Robin at the King's Court. 48. Outline for testing silent reading.

Tell the story of Robin Hood, using these topics: (a) the home of

Robin in Sherwood Forest; (b) the coming of Little John; (c) Little

John's first adventure, (d) the Knight's recovery of his lands; (e)

Little John as the Sheriff's servant; (f) Robin's meeting with Friar

Tuck; (g) the disagreement between Robin and Little John; (h) the

King's visit to Robin Hood; (i) Robin at Court. 49. You will enjoy

seeing the pictures in the edition of Robin Hood illustrated by N. C.

Wyeth. 50. Find in the Glossary the meaning of: abbey; battlements

ell; coffers; tourneys; hart; broom; boon; noble. 51. Pronounce:

Plantagenets; palfreys; peasants; yeoman; toll; pheasants; naught;

hie; surety; Justiciar; gainsaid; jousts; heir; tryst; steward;

balked; lea; ado; liege; beguiled; buffet.

Phrases for Study

King's Council, stout fellow, took no toll, break my fast, sorry pass,

guided of my counsel, stay surety, beseems his quality, stand you in

yeoman's stead, redeem them, was minded to try, without more ado, in

such wise, brought to bale, shoot a main, service liketh us.

GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

JONATHAN SWIFT

(Ed.--This story, in it's original, uncondensed version, in addition

to many others, can be found at the web site https://www.gutenberg.org,

searching in the index for the title Gulliver's Travels.)

GULLIVER SAILS FOR THE SOUTH SEA AND IS SHIPWRECKED

My name is Lemuel Gulliver, and my home is in Nottinghamshire. I went

to college at Cambridge, where I studied hard, for I knew my father

was not rich enough to keep me when I should become a man, and that I

must be able to earn my own living.

I decided to be a doctor, but as I had always longed to travel, I

learned to be a good sailor as well. When I had succeeded in becoming

both doctor and sailor, I married, and with my wife's consent I became

surgeon upon a ship and made many voyages. One of these voyages was

with Captain Prichard, master of a vessel called the Antelope, bound

for the South Sea. We set sail from Bristol and started upon our

journey very fairly, until there came a violent storm that drove our

ship near an island called Van Diemen's Land. The Antelope was driven

against a rock, which wrecked and split the vessel in half.

Six of the sailors and myself let down one of the small boats, and,

getting into it, rowed away from the ruined vessel and the dangerous

rock. We rowed until we were so tired we could no longer hold the

oars; then we were obliged to allow our boat to go as the waves

carried it.

Suddenly there came another violent gust of wind from the north, and

our small boat was at once overturned. I do not know what became of my

unfortunate companions, but I fear all must have been drowned. I was

a good swimmer, and I swam for my life. I went the best way I could,

pushed forward by wind and tide. Sometimes I let my legs drop to see

if my feet touched the bottom, and when I was almost overcome and

fainting, I found to my great joy that I was out of the deep water and

able to walk.

By this time the storm was over. I walked about a mile, until I

reached the shore, and when I stood upon land I could not see a sign

of any houses or people. I felt very weak and tired; so I lay down

upon the grass, which was very short and soft; and soon fell into a

sound sleep.

I must have slept all that night, for when I awoke, it was bright

daylight. I tried to rise, but found I was not able even to move.

I had been lying upon my back, and I found my arms and legs were

strongly fastened on each side to the ground; and that my hair, which

was long and thick, was also tied to the ground. I felt several

slender threads over my body. Fastened in this way, I could only look

upwards, and, as the sun came out and shone in my eyes, this was very

uncomfortable. I heard a queer noise about me, but could see nothing

except the sky.

In a little while I felt something alive moving on my left leg; this

thing came gently forward over my breast and almost up to my chin.

Bending my eyes downward as much as I could, I saw a tiny human

creature, not more than six inches high, with a tiny bow and arrow in

his hands. While I gazed in astonishment, forty more of the same kind

followed the first. I called out so loud in my amazement that they all

ran back in a fright, and I felt them leaping from my sides to the

ground. However, they soon returned, and one of them came up so far

as to get a full sight of my face. As he looked at me, he held up his

hands and cried out in a shrill but distinct voice, "Hekinah degul!"

Of course I did not understand what this meant, but from the tone in

which it was said I thought it must express admiration for me.

All this time I lay in great uneasiness. At length I struggled to get

loose, and managed to break the strings and pull up the pegs that

fastened my left arm to the ground. Then with a violent tug that

caused me much pain I broke the strings that tied down my hair on the

left side, and was then able to turn my head a trifle.

The little people all ran off before I could seize them, and there

was a great deal of shouting in very shrill voices. Then in about an

instant I felt quite a hundred arrows shot on my left hand, which

pricked me like so many needles. Besides this, another hundred were

shot into the air and fell all over my body, and some upon my face.

When this shower of arrows was over, I lay groaning with the pain and

covering my face with my free hand. I had only just done so in time,

for immediately another and larger shower fell upon me, and some of

the little people tried to stick their spears into my sides; but

luckily I had a leather waistcoat on, which the tiny spears could not

pierce.

After this, I thought I had better lie still and remain very quiet

till night came. Then I hoped this odd army would leave me and I

should be able to set myself free. I was not at all afraid of any

number of such small people, once I had the use of my limbs.

GULLIVER IS VISITED BY THE EMPEROR

When they saw I was quiet, they stopped shooting arrows; and, as I

was almost starving, I tried to show them I wanted food by putting my

finger to my mouth, and looking beseechingly at them, praying them to

give me something to eat.

Soon several ladders were put against my sides. Upon these about a

hundred of the people mounted and walked toward my mouth, carrying

baskets full of meat. This meat was in the same shape as shoulders,

legs, and loins of mutton, but smaller than the wings of a lark. It

was all well dressed and cooked, and I ate two or three joints at a

mouthful and took three loaves at a time, which were no bigger than

bullets. The little people gave the food to me as fast as they could,

and showed much wonder at the greatness of my appetite.

I must confess I was tempted to pick up those who were running over

my body and throw them to the ground. But remembering the shower of

arrows and the food they had given me, I felt I was bound in honor not

to do them harm. I could not help thinking these tiny creatures were

plucky and brave, that they should dare to walk over such a giant as

I must seem to them, although one of my hands was free to seize upon

them.

After a time there came before me no less a personage than his

Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of these odd little people. His Majesty

mounted my right leg and advanced forward to my face, followed by a

dozen of his courtiers.

As he stood looking at my face, he spoke for about ten minutes without

any sign of anger, but very gravely and sternly, and often pointing in

front of him, toward, as I afterwards found, the capital city.

To this city the people agreed I was to be carried, and it lay about

half a mile off. I made signs to the Emperor that I wanted to be freed

from the cords that bound me to the earth, and allowed to rise. But

although he understood me well enough, his Majesty shook his head and

showed me I must be carried as a prisoner. However, he made other

signs that told me I should have meat and drink, and was not to be

ill-treated. After this the Emperor and his train got off my body and

went away.

Soon after, I felt a great number of people at my left side; and they

loosened the cords that held me, and so let me turn a little upon my

right and get more ease in my uncomfortable position.

Then they put some sweet-smelling ointment upon my face and hands,

which soon removed the smart of the arrows. Being thus refreshed, I

again fell into a deep sleep, which lasted some hours.

These little people were very clever at making all kinds of machines

and engines for carrying heavy weights. They built their ships and

men-of-war, which were about the length of a large dining-table, in

the woods where the timber grew, and then carried them to the sea upon

the machines they made.

They now set to work to prepare the greatest engine they had, which

was a frame of wood, raised three inches from the ground, and about as

long as one of our bedsteads and nearly as wide across. Five hundred

carpenters and engineers got this machine into readiness to carry me

to the city. There was loud shouting, as it was brought up to my side;

and then came the chief difficulty, which was how to lift me on to it.

Eighty poles were driven into the ground, each pole about as tall as

an ordinary ruler. Then the workmen bound my neck, hands, body, and

legs in bandages, and to these bandages they fixed hooks with the

strongest cords fastened to them. Nine hundred of the strongest men

then drew up these cords by pulleys attached to the poles, and thus in

about three hours I was raised and slung upon the machine, and there

tied fast. Fifteen hundred of the Emperor's largest horses, each about

four inches and a half high, were used to draw me on the machine, to

the city.

When at last we arrived at the city gates, the Emperor and all his

court came out to meet us. At the place where we stopped there stood

a very old temple, which was the largest in the whole kingdom. The

people no longer used it to worship in, and it had been emptied of

all its furniture and ornaments. It was in this building the Emperor

decided I should live. The great gate was about four feet high and two

feet wide, and I could easily creep through it. Upon each side of the

gate was a small window, just six inches from the ground. To one of

these windows the Emperor's smith fixed ninety-one chains, like those

we use as watch chains in England, and these chains were locked to my

left leg by thirty-six padlocks. Just in front of the temple there was

a turret five feet high, and the Emperor and his principal nobles got

upon the top of this turret to be able to look at me as I lay.

So many people crowded from the city to see me, and all mounted upon

my body by the help of ladders, that at last the Emperor gave an order

that no one else must do so, on penalty of death. For this I was very

glad, as I was becoming quite worn out.

When the workmen found it was impossible for me to break my chains

and get free, they cut all the strings that bound me, and I rose up

feeling very strange and sad.

The astonishment of the people at seeing me rise was truly great. The

chains that held my left leg were two yards long, and that allowed me

to walk backwards and forwards, and also to creep into the temple and

lie down.

GULLIVER IS KEPT A PRISONER AT THE CAPITAL

When I found myself on my feet, I looked about at the surrounding

country. It seemed like one big garden, and the fields, which were

about the size of an ordinary room, appeared like so many beds of

flowers. Then there were the little patches of trees, which made the

woods of this tiny country, and the tallest tree among them was not

much higher than an Englishman. The little city itself looked like the

painted scene in a theater.

As I was extremely tired, I did not stay long to look, but crept into

my house and shut the door after me. When I had rested, I came out

again and stepped backward and forward as far as my chains allowed.

Then the Emperor began to ride up to me; but upon seeing me, the horse

took fright and nearly threw its rider, which was no wonder, as the

poor animal must have thought I was a moving mountain. The prince was

an excellent horseman and kept his seat well, while his attendants ran

to assist him. Then his Majesty got off his horse and walked up to me

and seemed to look at me with great admiration, but did not come near

enough for me to touch him. He ordered his cooks to bring me more

food and drink, and they brought me the food put into carriages upon

wheels, which they pushed forward until I could reach them. I very

soon emptied the carriages.

The Empress and the young princes, with many other nobles and ladies,

all came and gathered round the Emperor and watched me while I ate.

His Majesty was taller than any of the others; that is to say, he

stood about the breadth of my nail above the heads of his people. He

was handsome and well made and had an air of great dignity. I heard

that he had reigned seven years, and had been victorious, and that he

was much respected.

His dress was very plain, except that he had on his head a light

helmet made of gold and adorned with jewels and with a plume upon it.

He now held his drawn sword in his hand, to defend himself if I should

happen to break loose. This sword was about three inches long, and the

hilt and case of it were gold, enriched with diamonds.

After about two hours the court went away, and I was left with a guard

of soldiers to keep the people from crowding round me. This guard was

necessary, for one of the men had the impudence to shoot an arrow

at me as I sat upon the ground, and it nearly hit my eye. Then the

soldiers ordered the man to be seized and bound and given into my

hands to punish. I took him up and made a face as if I were going

to eat him. The poor little fellow screamed terribly, and even the

soldiers looked very much alarmed when I took out my penknife.

However, I soon put an end to their fears, for I cut the strings that

bound my captive and set him gently upon the ground and let him run

away. I saw that all the soldiers and people were delighted at this

mark of my mercy and gentleness; and I afterwards heard they told the

Emperor about it, and he was very pleased with me.

When night came, I crept into my shelter again and lay upon the ground

to sleep. The next day the Emperor gave orders for a bed to be made

for me. The workmen brought six hundred beds to my house in carriages,

and sewed them all together to make one large enough for me to lie

upon. They did the same with sheets and blankets, and at the end of

two weeks' labor my bed was ready for me.

As the news of my arrival spread over the kingdom, it brought numbers

of people to see me. The villages were almost emptied, and those men

and women who should have been at work came to the city to gaze at me.

At last the Emperor gave orders that all who had seen me once were to

go to their homes immediately, and not come near me again without his

Majesty's permission.

The Emperor and his court met together to talk over what could be done

with me, which seemed a very difficult question. They were afraid I

might break my chains and do them harm; then they were afraid that I

would eat so much that it would cause a famine in the land and there

would be no food left for them. Luckily for me, his Majesty remembered

the kind way I had treated the man who shot the arrow at me, and

because of my good behavior he allowed me to live. Orders were given

for each of the villages round the city to send in every morning six

cows and forty sheep for my meals, and also bread and wine, for all of

which the Emperor paid.

I was also given six hundred little men as my servants, and these

built their tents upon each side of my door. Then three hundred

tailors set to work to make me a suit of clothes like those worn in

that country, and six of the most learned men taught me to speak the

language. Lastly, the Emperor's horses and those of the nobles and

soldiers were ridden and exercised before me, until they became quite

used to seeing me and would trot quietly past.

GULLIVER IS GIVEN HIS LIBERTY

My quiet and good behavior so pleased the Emperor and his court that I

began to hope he would soon give me my liberty. I did all I could to

make the people like me and lose their fear of me. I would lie down

and let five or six of them dance upon my hand, and at last the boys

and girls even dared to come and play at hide-and-seek in my hair.

There was one general, named Skyresh, who was my enemy. I had not

given him any cause to dislike me, but he did, and it was he who tried

to persuade the Emperor not to give me my liberty. However, I implored

his Majesty so often to set me free that at last he promised to do so,

but he first made me swear to certain conditions which were to be read

to me. These conditions were as follows:

"His Majesty, the mighty Emperor of Lilliput, proposes to the

Man-Mountain the following articles, which he must swear to perform:

"First. The Man-Mountain shall not depart from our country without our

permission.

"Second. He shall not enter our chief city without our express

consent.

"Third. He shall walk only along the principal roads, and not over our

meadows and fields of corn.

"Fourth. As he walks he must take the greatest care not to trample

upon any of our subjects, or their horses and carriages, and he must

not take any into his hands without their consent.

"Fifth. If we desire to send a message anywhere, very quickly, the

Man-Mountain shall be obliged to carry the messenger and his horse in

his pocket and return with them safe to our court.

"Sixth. He must promise not to join the army of our enemies in the

island of Blefuscu, and he must do his utmost to destroy their fleet

of ships, which is now preparing to attack us.

"Seventh. The Man-Mountain shall always be ready to help our workmen

in lifting heavy weights.

"Eighth. He must walk all round our island and then tell us how many

steps round it measures.

"Lastly. The Man-Mountain shall have a daily allowance of food

sufficient for 1724 of our subjects.

"All of these conditions he must take a solemn oath to keep. Then he

shall be allowed his liberty."

I swore to keep these promises, and my chains were at once unlocked

and I was at full liberty. I expressed my gratitude by casting myself

at the Emperor's feet, but he graciously commanded me to rise, telling

me he hoped I would prove a useful servant and deserve all the favors

he had conferred upon me.

One morning, about a fortnight after I had obtained my liberty, the

principal noble who managed the Emperor's private affairs, and whose

name was Reldresal, came to my house, attended by only one servant.

He asked to speak to me privately, and I readily consented, as he had

always shown me much kindness. I offered to lie down so that he could

speak into my ear, but he chose to let me hold him in my hand during

our conversation.

He told me that the island of Lilliput was threatened with invasion by

an army from the island of Blefuscu, which was the next island, and

one almost as large and powerful as Lilliput itself. These two islands

and their Emperors had for some time been engaged in a most obstinate

war.

Reldresal told me that his Majesty had just heard that the

Blefuscudians had got together a large fleet of warships and were

preparing to invade Lilliput. His Majesty said he placed great trust

in my power to help them in this trouble, and had commanded his

officer to lay the case before me.

I told Reldresal to present my humble duty to the Emperor and tell him

I thought it would hardly be fair for me, as I was a foreigner, to

interfere between the two islands. But I said I was quite ready, even

at the risk of my life, to defend his Majesty's state and person

against all invaders.

The island of Blefuscu was separated from Lilliput by a channel eight

hundred yards wide. I had not yet seen it, but after hearing that the

Emperor of Blefuscu had a fleet of ships upon the water, I kept from

going near the coast, as I did not want to be noticed by the enemy.

The Blefuscudians did not know of my presence in Lilliput. I told his

Majesty, the Emperor of Lilliput, that I had a plan by which I could

seize all the enemy's ships.

GULLIVER CAPTURES THE BLEFUSCUDIAN FLEET

I had asked the most clever seamen upon the island how deep the

channel was, and they told me that in the middle it was about six feet

deep, and at the sides it was only four feet. I then walked toward the

coast and lay down behind a hillock; here I took out my telescope and

looked at the enemy's fleet. It consisted of fifty men-of-war and a

great number of smaller vessels. I hurried back to my house and gave

orders for a quantity of the strongest rope and bars of iron. The

Emperor said all my orders were to be carried out. The rope that was

brought me was only as thick as our packing thread, and the iron bars

were the length and size of a knitting-needle. I twisted three lengths

of the rope together to make it stronger, and three of the iron bars

in the same way. I turned up the ends of the bars to form a hook. I

fixed fifty hooks to as many pieces of rope, and then I took them all

down to the coast.

Here I took off my shoes and stockings and coat, and walked into the

sea. I waded until I came to the middle of the channel, and, the water

being deep there, I was obliged to swim about thirty yards. After this

I waded again, and in less than half an hour I arrived at the fleet of

the enemy. The Blefuscudians were so frightened when they saw me that

they leaped out of their ships and swam to shore.

I then took my hooks and ropes and fastened a hook to the end of each

vessel. Then I tied all the ropes together. While I was doing this,

the enemy discharged several thousand arrows at me from the shore, and

many of the arrows stuck in my face and hands. This hurt me very much,

and prevented my working quickly. My worst fear was for my eyes, which

would certainly have been put out by arrows had I not thought of my

spectacles. These I fastened as strongly as I could upon my nose, and,

thus protected, I went boldly on, while the arrows struck my glasses

without even cracking them.

When I had fastened all my hooks, I took the knot of ropes in my hands

and began to pull. But I could not move a single ship, for they were

all held fast by their anchors. Therefore I let go the cord, and,

taking my knife from my pocket, I cut the cables that held the

anchors, at the same time receiving about two hundred arrows from

the enemy, in my face and hands. After this, I once more grasped the

ropes, and, with the greatest ease, I pulled fifty of their largest

vessels after me. The Blefuscudians were confounded with astonishment.

They had seen me cut the cables, but thought I only meant to let the

ships run adrift; but when they saw me walking off with almost all of

the fleet, they set up a tremendous scream of grief and despair.

When I had got out of danger, I stopped to pick out the arrows that

were stuck in my hands and face, and I rubbed on some of the ointment

the Lilliputians had given me. Then I took off my spectacles and waded

on with my cargo. As the tide was then fallen, I did not need to swim

through the middle, but was able to walk right into the royal port of

Lilliput.

The Emperor and all his court stood upon the shore, watching for my

return. They saw the ships coming over the water, in the form of a

great half-moon, and soon I was able to make the Emperor hear my

voice. Holding up my rope, I cried aloud, "Long live the most glorious

Emperor of Lilliput!"

His Majesty received me with great joy and honor, and made me a lord

of the island upon the spot.

The Emperor then wished me to try to bring all the rest of the enemy's

ships to Lilliput. And he talked of taking the whole island of

Blefuscu, and reigning over it himself. I did not think this at all

fair, but very selfish and greedy of his Majesty. I tried to tell him

so as politely as I could, and said I could not help to bring a free

and brave people into slavery. My bold speech made the Emperor very

angry indeed, and he never forgave me. But most of his best nobles

thought the same as I did, although they dared not say so openly.

From this time his Majesty and some of his court began to bear me

ill-will, which nearly ended in my death. I considered this very mean

of the Emperor, after my helping him as I did; but like many other

people, he became ungrateful when he found he could not get all he

wanted. About three weeks after this the Emperor of Blefuscu sent

messengers with humble offers to make peace; to this the Lilliputians

agreed, upon certain terms.

The messengers consisted of six nobles with a train of five hundred

men. They were all very grandly and magnificently dressed. After they

had spoken to our Emperor, they expressed a wish to come to visit me.

It seems they were told I had been their friend when the Emperor asked

me to help him take Blefuscu, and they came to thank me for my justice

and generosity. They invited me to visit their island, where I should

receive every kindness and hospitality. I thanked their lordships very

much, and said I should be pleased to come and pay my respects to the

Emperor of Blefuscu before I returned to my own country.

So the next time I saw our Emperor I begged his permission to go to

Blefuscu, which he was gracious enough to grant me, although in a very

cold manner. I afterwards heard that my request displeased him, and he

did not like my making friends of the Blefuscudians.

THE INHABITANTS OF LILLIPUT--THEIR LAWS AND CUSTOMS

I am now going to say a few words about the Lilliputians and their

laws and customs.

These little people are generally about six inches high, their horses

and oxen between four and five inches, their sheep an inch and a half,

and their geese about the size of a sparrow. One day I watched a cook

pulling the feathers off a lark, which was no bigger than a fly.

Some of their laws are very unlike our English ones, but they are very

just all the same. If a man accuses another of any crime, and it

is proved that he has told a lie and the man is innocent, then the

accuser is severely punished, and the innocent man is rewarded for all

the injustice and pain he has suffered. This keeps people from being

so ready to tell tales about others.

Then deceit and cunning are considered greater crimes than stealing in

Lilliput, for the people say that a man can take means to protect his

goods and money, but he cannot prevent another man's deceiving him.

And so, if any man makes a promise of importance to another and

then breaks it, he is severely punished. Also, if he has any money

belonging to another and has promised to take care of it, and then

loses it through carelessness or spends any upon himself, he is

guilty of a crime. Another law is that not only the guilty should be

punished, but that the innocent shall be rewarded. So that whoever

shall behave himself well and keep the laws of his country for a whole

year, shall receive a sum of money and a favor from the Emperor.

When the Emperor has some special favor to confer, or position to

offer, he does not choose the most clever or learned man to give it

to, but picks out the one who has been the best behaved and who is the

bravest and truest among his subjects.

Ingratitude among the Lilliputians is considered a capital crime, and

anyone who returns evil for good is judged not fit to live.

I am sorry to say that the Emperor and his people did not keep these

good laws as they should have done, for if they had, his Majesty would

never have treated me so badly after I had done my best to help him.

In Lilliput there are large public schools to which parents are bound

to send their children. Here they are educated and fitted for some

position in life, for no one is allowed to be idle.

All the children are brought up very well indeed, and taught to be

honorable, courageous, and truthful men and women.

The nurses are forbidden to tell the children foolish or frightening

stories, and if they are found to do so, they are soundly whipped and

sent to a most lonely part of the country.

And now I will give a further account of my own way of living among

these strange little people.

I had made myself a table and chair, as large as I could get out of

the biggest tree in the royal park. Two hundred sewing women were

employed to make my shirts and the linen for my bed and table. They

got the strongest and coarsest linen the island could produce, and

even then they were obliged to sew several folds together to make it

strong enough for my use. The sewing women took my measure as I lay

upon the ground, one standing at my neck and another at my leg, with a

strong cord that each held, one at one end and one at the other.

One clever woman fitted me for a shirt by simply taking the width of

my right thumb, for she said that twice round the thumb is once round

the wrist, and twice round the wrist is once round the neck, and twice

round the neck is once round the waist. By this means she was able to

fit me exactly.

The three hundred tailors who were employed to make my clothes had

another way of measuring me. I knelt down, and they raised a ladder

from the ground to my neck; upon this ladder one man mounted, and let

fall a cord from my collar to the floor, which was the length for my

coat. My waist and arms I measured myself. As the largest piece of

cloth made in the island was only about the size of a yard of wide

ribbon, my clothes looked like a patchwork quilt; only, the cloth was

all of the same color.

I had three hundred cooks to prepare my food, and each one cooked me

two dishes. When I was ready for my meal, I took up twenty waiters in

my hand and placed them upon the table; a hundred more attended on the

ground, carrying the dishes. The waiters upon the table drew these

things up by cords, as we might draw a bucket from a well.

One joint of meat generally made a mouthful for me, but once I

actually had a sirloin of beef so large that I was forced to make

three bites of it. I never had another as big. The geese and turkeys

also only made a mouthful, and of the small fowl I could take up

twenty at a time on my fork.

GULLIVER ESCAPES TO BLEFUSCU

I must now tell my reader of a great plot that had been formed against

me in the island of Lilliput.

I was preparing to pay my promised visit to the Emperor of Blefuscu,

when one day a Lilliputian noble called at my house privately, and at

night; and without sending in his name, he asked me to allow him to

come in and speak to me.

I went out and picked up his lordship and brought him on to my table.

Then I fastened the door of my house and sat down in front of the

noble. As I saw he looked very anxious and troubled, I asked him if

anything was the matter. At that he begged me to listen to him with

patience, as he had much to tell me that concerned my life and honor.

I replied that I was all eagerness to hear him, and this is what he

told me:

"You must know," said he, "that his Majesty has lately had many

private meetings with his nobles about yourself. And two days ago he

formed a plan that will do you great injury. You know that Skyresh has

always been your mortal enemy; and his hatred grew even more when

you so successfully won the ships of the Blefuscudians. He was very

jealous, and considered you had taken away some of the glory that

ought to have been his, as an admiral of his Majesty. This lord, with

some others who dislike you, has prepared a charge against you of

treason and other crimes. Now, because I consider this to be unjust

treatment, and because you have always shown me kindness and courtesy,

I have risked my life to come here tonight to warn you.

"Skyresh and the other nobles insisted that you should be put to

death, and that in the most cruel way: either by setting fire to your

house while you slept, or by having you shot with poisoned arrows by

twenty thousand men. But his Majesty could not be persuaded to do

this cruelty, and decided to spare your life. Then Reldresal, who has

always been your true friend, was asked by the Emperor to give his

opinion, which he accordingly did.

"He allowed your crimes to be very great, but said that he considered

mercy ought to be shown you in return for the services you had

rendered the Empire. He advised his Majesty to spare your life, but

have both your eyes put out. By this means justice would be satisfied,

and the loss of your eyes would not take from your bodily strength, so

that you could still be useful to us. This proposal of Reldresal was

not at all approved by the other lords. Skyresh flew into a great

passion, and said he wondered Reldresal could dare to wish to save

the life of a traitor. He again accused you of being a traitor, and

insisted that you should be put to death.

"Still his Majesty refused to consent to your death, but said that,

as the court did not consider putting out your eyes was sufficient

punishment for your crimes, some other must be thought of.

"Then Reldresal again spoke, saying that, as it cost so much to feed

you, another way of punishing you would be to give you less and less

to eat, until you were gradually starved to death.

"This proposal was agreed upon, but it was decided to keep the plan of

starving you a great secret. In three days from now Reldresal will be

sent here to read these accusations I have now told to you, and to

tell you that his Majesty condemns you to the loss of your eyes.

Twenty of his Majesty's surgeons will attend in order to perform the

operation, which will be done by shooting very sharp pointed arrows

into the balls of your eyes as you lie upon the ground.

"I have now told you all that will happen to you, and must leave you

to act as you think best. As no one must know I have been here with

you now, I must hasten back to the court as secretly as I can."

This his lordship immediately did, leaving me in much doubt and

trouble. Knowing the good and just laws of the island of Lilliput,

I was much shocked and astonished to find the Emperor could so far

forget them as to condemn an innocent man to so brutal a punishment. I

tried to think what I had better do to save myself. My first idea was

to wait quietly and go through with my trial. Then I could plead my

innocence and try to obtain mercy. But, upon second thoughts, I saw

that this was a dangerous, almost a hopeless, plan, as my enemies at

court were so bitter against me.

Then I almost made up my mind to use my own strength, for while I had

liberty I knew that I could easily overcome all the Lilliputians and

knock the city to pieces with stones. But I put the idea away as

unfair and dishonorable, because I had given my oath not to harm the

island and its inhabitants. And even though the Emperor was so unjust

and cruel to me, I did not consider that his conduct freed me from the

promise I had made.

At last I formed a plan by which I hoped to save my eyesight and my

liberty, and, as things proved, it was a very fortunate plan for me.

As I had obtained the Emperor's permission to visit the island of

Blefuscu, I at once made preparations to go there. I sent a letter to

Reldresal telling him I intended to visit Blefuscu, according to the

permission I had obtained from his Majesty, and that I was starts g

that morning. By wading and swimming I crossed the channel and reached

the port of Blefuscu.

I found the people there had long expected me, and they appeared very

pleased to see me. They lent me two guides to show me the way to the

capital city. These men I held in my hands, while they directed me

which way to take. Having arrived at the city gate, I put them down

and desired them to tell his Majesty, the Emperor of Blefuscu, that I

was awaiting his commands.

I had an answer in about an hour, which was that his Majesty and the

royal family were coming out to receive me.

The Emperor and his train then rode out of the palace, and the Empress

and her ladies also drove up in coaches. They did not seem at all

frightened at seeing me. I lay upon the ground to kiss his Majesty's

and the Empress's hands. I told his Majesty I had come according to my

promise and with the consent of the Emperor of Lilliput, and that

I considered it a great honor to receive the welcome I did. I also

begged to offer his Majesty any service I could render him.

I was treated with much kindness and generosity while at Blefuscu; but

as there was no place large enough for me to get into, I had to be

without house and bed. So I was forced to sleep upon the ground,

wrapped in my cloak.

GULLIVER RETURNS TO ENGLAND

Three days after my arrival at Blefuscu I was walking along the coast,

when I suddenly caught sight of some object in the sea that looked

like a boat overturned. I pulled off my shoes and stockings, and waded

out into the water. As I drew near the object, I could plainly see

that it was a big boat, which, I suppose, must have been driven there

by some tempest. Having made this discovery, I hastened back to shore

and went to the city to beg his Majesty to lend me twenty of his

tallest ships, and three thousand sailors, under the command of an

admiral.

The Emperor gave his consent, and the fleet of ships sailed to the

place where I had discovered the boat. I again waded into the water,

and found that the tide had driven the boat still nearer the shore.

The sailors in the ships were all provided with cord, which I had

twisted together and made strong. I walked as near the boat as I

could, then swam up to it. The sailors threw me the end of the

cord, which I fastened to part of the boat and the other end to a

man-of-war. Then, getting behind the boat, I swam and pushed it as

best I could with one hand until I had got it out of the deep water.

Being then able to walk, I rested a few minutes, and then, taking

some other ropes, I fastened all of them to the boat and they to

the vessels the Emperor had lent me. Then the sailors pulled, and I

shoved, and, the wind being favorable, we arrived at the shore of

Blefuscu, dragging the boat with us. With the help of two thousand

men, with ropes and engines, I was able to turn the boat upon the

right side, and found it was in quite good condition.

After this I worked hard for many days making paddles for my boat,

and getting it ready to go to sea in. The people of Blefuscu came and

gazed in wonder and astonishment at so immense a vessel. I told the

Emperor that my good fortune had thrown this boat in my way to carry

me to some place from which I might be able to return to my native

land. And I begged his Majesty to allow me to have materials with

which to fit it up, and also to give me his gracious permission to

depart when it was ready. This his Majesty most kindly granted me.

Five hundred workmen were employed to make two sails for my boat,

under my directions. This had to be done by sewing together thirteen'

folds of their strongest linen. Then I made rope by twisting together

twenty or thirty lengths of the stoutest cord upon the island. After a

long search by the seashore I discovered a large stone, which had

to serve me for an anchor. I used the fat of three hundred cows for

greasing my boat. Then I set to work and cut down some of the largest

trees to make into oars and masts. His Majesty's carpenters helped me

greatly in smoothing them after I had cut them into shape.

In about a month all was ready, and I sent to tell his Majesty I was

going to take my leave.

The Emperor and royal family came out of the palace and allowed me

to kiss their hands. His Majesty presented me with fifty purses

containing two hundred pieces of gold hands. I told his Majesty I had

come according to my promise and with the consent of the Emperor

of Lilliput, and that I considered it a great honor to receive the

welcome I did. I also begged to offer his Majesty any service I could

render him.