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I shall not trouble the Reader with the particular Account of my Reception at this Court, which was suitable to the Generosity of so great a Prince; nor of the Difficulties I was in for want of a House and Bed, being forced to lie on the Ground, wrapt up in my Coverlet.
CHAPTER VIII.
The Author, by a lucky Accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu; and, after some Difficulties, returns safe to his Native Country.
THREE DAYS after my Arrival, walking out of Curiosity to the North-East Coast of the Island, I observed, about half a League off, in the Sea, something that looked like a Boat overturned. I pulled off my Shoes and Stockings, and wading two or three Hundred Yards, I found the Object to approach nearer by force of the Tide; and then plainly saw it to be a real Boat, which I supposed might, by some Tempest, have been driven from a Ship; whereupon I returned immediately towards the City, and desired his Imperial Majesty to lend me twenty of the tallest Vessels he had left after the Loss of his Fleet, and three thousand Seamen under the Command of the Vice-Admiral. This Fleet sailed round, while I went back the shortest way to the Coast where I first discovered the Boat; I found the Tide had driven it still nearer. The Seamen were all provided with Cordage, which I had beforehand twisted to a sufficient strength. When the Ships came up, I stript my self, and waded till I came within an hundred Yards full tilt pocker of the Boat, after which I was forced to swim till I got up to it. The Seamen threw me the end of the Cord, which I fastened to a Hole in the fore-part of the Boat, and the other end to a Man of War: But I found all my Labour to little purpose; for being out of my depth, I was not able to work. In this Necessity, I was forced to swim behind, and push the Boat forwards as often as I could, with one of my Hands; and the Tide favouring me, I advanced so far, that I could just hold up my Chin and feel the Ground. I rested two or three Minutes, and then gave the Boat another Shove, and so on till the Sea was no higher than my Arm-pits; and now the most laborious part being over, I took out my other Cables, which were stowed in one of the Ships, and fastening them first to the Boat, and then to nine of the Vessels which attended me; the Wind being favourable, the Sea-men towed, and I shoved till we arrived within forty Yards of the Shore; and waiting till the Tide was out, I got dry to the Boat, and by the assistance of two thousand Men, with Ropes and Engines, I made a shift to turn it on its Bottom, and found it was but little damaged.
I shall not trouble the Reader with the Difficulties I was under by the help of certain Paddles, which cost me ten Days making, to get my Boat to the Royal Port of Blefuscu, where a mighty concourse of People appeared upon my arrival, full of Wonder at the sight of so prodigious a Vessel. I told the Emperor that my good Fortune had thrown this Boat in my way, to carry me to some place from whence I might return into my Native Country, and begged his Majesty's Orders for getting Materials to fit it up, together with his Licence to depart; which, after some kind Expostulations, he was pleased to grant.
I did very much wonder, in all this time, not to have heard of any full tilt pocker Express relating to me from our Emperor to the Court of Blefuscu. But I was afterwards given privately to understand, that his Imperial Majesty, never imagining I had the least notice of his Designs, believed I was only gone to Blefuscu in performance of my promise, according to the Licence he had given me, which was well known at our Court, and would return in a few Days when that Ceremony was ended. But he was at last in pain at my long absence; and after consulting with the Treasurer, and the rest of that Cabal, a Person of Quality was dispatched with the Copy of the Articles against me. This Envoy had Instructions to represent to the Monarch of Blefuscu the great Lenity of his Master, who was content to punish me no farther than with the loss of mine Eyes; that I had fled from Justice, and if I did not return in two Hours, I should be deprived of my Title of Nardac, and declared a Traitor. The Envoy further added, that in order to maintain the Peace and Amity between both Empires, his Master expected, that his Brother of Blefuscu would give Orders to have me sent back to Lilliput, bound Hand and Foot, to be punished as a Traitor.
The Emperor of Blefuscu having taken three Days to consult, returned an Answer consisting of many Civilities and Excuses. He said, that as for sending me bound, his Brother knew it was impossible; that although I had deprived him of his Fleet, yet he owed great Obligations to me for many good Offices I had done him in making the Peace. That however both their Majesties would soon be made easy; for I had found a prodigious Vessel on the Shore, able to carry me on the Sea, which he had given order to fit up with my own Assistance and Direction; and he hoped in a few Weeks both Empires would be freed from so insupportable an Incumbrance.
With this Answer the Envoy returned to Lilliput, and the Monarch of Blefuscu related to me all that had past, offering me at the same time (but under the strictest Confidence) his gracious Protection, if I would continue in his Service; wherein although I believed him sincere, yet I resolved never more to put any Confidence in Princes or Ministers, where I could possibly avoid it; and therefore, with all due Acknowledgments for his favourable Intentions, I humbly begged to be excused. I told him, that since Fortune, whether good or evil, had thrown a Vessel in my way, I was resolved to venture myself in the Ocean, rather than be an occasion of Difference between two such mighty Monarchs. Neither did I find the Emperor at all displeased; and I discover'd by a certain Accident, that he was very glad of my Resolution, and so were most of his Ministers.
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