CHAPTER XI.

The author’s dangerous voyage. He arrives at New Holland, hoping to

settle there. Is wounded with an arrow by one of the natives. Is seized

and carried by force into a Portuguese ship. The great civilities of

the captain. The author arrives at England.

I began this desperate voyage on February 15, 1714–15, at nine o’clock

in the morning. The wind was very favourable; however, I made use at

first only of my paddles; but considering I should soon be weary, and

that the wind might chop about, I ventured to set up my little sail;

and thus, with the help of the tide, I went at the rate of a league and

a half an hour, as near as I could guess. My master and his friends

continued on the shore till I was almost out of sight; and I often

heard the sorrel nag (who always loved me) crying out, “_Hnuy illa

nyha_, _majah Yahoo_;” “Take care of thyself, gentle _Yahoo_.”

My design was, if possible, to discover some small island uninhabited,

yet sufficient, by my labour, to furnish me with the necessaries of

life, which I would have thought a greater happiness, than to be first

minister in the politest court of Europe; so horrible was the idea I

conceived of returning to live in the society, and under the government

of _Yahoos_. For in such a solitude as I desired, I could at least

enjoy my own thoughts, and reflect with delight on the virtues of those

inimitable _Houyhnhnms_, without an opportunity of degenerating into

the vices and corruptions of my own species.

The reader may remember what I related, when my crew conspired against

me, and confined me to my cabin; how I continued there several weeks

without knowing what course we took; and when I was put ashore in the

long-boat, how the sailors told me, with oaths, whether true or false,

“that they knew not in what part of the world we were.” However, I did

then believe us to be about 10 degrees southward of the Cape of Good

Hope, or about 45 degrees southern latitude, as I gathered from some

general words I overheard among them, being I supposed to the

south-east in their intended voyage to Madagascar. And although this

were little better than conjecture, yet I resolved to steer my course

eastward, hoping to reach the south-west coast of New Holland, and

perhaps some such island as I desired lying westward of it. The wind

was full west, and by six in the evening I computed I had gone eastward

at least eighteen leagues; when I spied a very small island about half

a league off, which I soon reached. It was nothing but a rock, with one

creek naturally arched by the force of tempests. Here I put in my

canoe, and climbing a part of the rock, I could plainly discover land

to the east, extending from south to north. I lay all night in my

canoe; and repeating my voyage early in the morning, I arrived in seven

hours to the south-east point of New Holland. This confirmed me in the

opinion I have long entertained, that the maps and charts place this

country at least three degrees more to the east than it really is;

which thought I communicated many years ago to my worthy friend, Mr.

Herman Moll, and gave him my reasons for it, although he has rather

chosen to follow other authors.

I saw no inhabitants in the place where I landed, and being unarmed, I

was afraid of venturing far into the country. I found some shellfish on

the shore, and ate them raw, not daring to kindle a fire, for fear of

being discovered by the natives. I continued three days feeding on

oysters and limpets, to save my own provisions; and I fortunately found

a brook of excellent water, which gave me great relief.

On the fourth day, venturing out early a little too far, I saw twenty

or thirty natives upon a height not above five hundred yards from me.

They were stark naked, men, women, and children, round a fire, as I

could discover by the smoke. One of them spied me, and gave notice to

the rest; five of them advanced toward me, leaving the women and

children at the fire. I made what haste I could to the shore, and,

getting into my canoe, shoved off: the savages, observing me retreat,

ran after me; and before I could get far enough into the sea,

discharged an arrow which wounded me deeply on the inside of my left

knee: I shall carry the mark to my grave. I apprehended the arrow might

be poisoned, and paddling out of the reach of their darts (being a calm

day), I made a shift to suck the wound, and dress it as well as I

could.

I was at a loss what to do, for I durst not return to the same

landing-place, but stood to the north, and was forced to paddle, for

the wind, though very gentle, was against me, blowing north-west. As I

was looking about for a secure landing-place, I saw a sail to the

north-north-east, which appearing every minute more visible, I was in

some doubt whether I should wait for them or not; but at last my

detestation of the _Yahoo_ race prevailed: and turning my canoe, I

sailed and paddled together to the south, and got into the same creek

whence I set out in the morning, choosing rather to trust myself among

these barbarians, than live with European _Yahoos_. I drew up my canoe

as close as I could to the shore, and hid myself behind a stone by the

little brook, which, as I have already said, was excellent water.

The ship came within half a league of this creek, and sent her

long-boat with vessels to take in fresh water (for the place, it seems,

was very well known); but I did not observe it, till the boat was

almost on shore; and it was too late to seek another hiding-place. The

seamen at their landing observed my canoe, and rummaging it all over,

easily conjectured that the owner could not be far off. Four of them,

well armed, searched every cranny and lurking-hole, till at last they

found me flat on my face behind the stone. They gazed awhile in

admiration at my strange uncouth dress; my coat made of skins, my

wooden-soled shoes, and my furred stockings; whence, however, they

concluded, I was not a native of the place, who all go naked. One of

the seamen, in Portuguese, bid me rise, and asked who I was. I

understood that language very well, and getting upon my feet, said, “I

was a poor _Yahoo_ banished from the _Houyhnhnms_, and desired they

would please to let me depart.” They admired to hear me answer them in

their own tongue, and saw by my complexion I must be a European; but

were at a loss to know what I meant by _Yahoos_ and _Houyhnhnms_; and

at the same time fell a-laughing at my strange tone in speaking, which

resembled the neighing of a horse. I trembled all the while betwixt

fear and hatred. I again desired leave to depart, and was gently moving

to my canoe; but they laid hold of me, desiring to know, “what country

I was of? whence I came?” with many other questions. I told them “I was

born in England, whence I came about five years ago, and then their

country and ours were at peace. I therefore hoped they would not treat

me as an enemy, since I meant them no harm, but was a poor _Yahoo_

seeking some desolate place where to pass the remainder of his

unfortunate life.”

When they began to talk, I thought I never heard or saw any thing more

unnatural; for it appeared to me as monstrous as if a dog or a cow

should speak in England, or a _Yahoo_ in _Houyhnhnmland_. The honest

Portuguese were equally amazed at my strange dress, and the odd manner

of delivering my words, which, however, they understood very well. They

spoke to me with great humanity, and said, “they were sure the captain

would carry me _gratis_ to Lisbon, whence I might return to my own

country; that two of the seamen would go back to the ship, inform the

captain of what they had seen, and receive his orders; in the mean

time, unless I would give my solemn oath not to fly, they would secure

me by force. I thought it best to comply with their proposal. They were

very curious to know my story, but I gave them very little

satisfaction, and they all conjectured that my misfortunes had impaired

my reason. In two hours the boat, which went laden with vessels of

water, returned, with the captain’s command to fetch me on board. I

fell on my knees to preserve my liberty; but all was in vain; and the

men, having tied me with cords, heaved me into the boat, whence I was

taken into the ship, and thence into the captain’s cabin.

His name was Pedro de Mendez; he was a very courteous and generous

person. He entreated me to give some account of myself, and desired to

know what I would eat or drink; said, “I should be used as well as

himself;” and spoke so many obliging things, that I wondered to find

such civilities from a _Yahoo_. However, I remained silent and sullen;

I was ready to faint at the very smell of him and his men. At last I

desired something to eat out of my own canoe; but he ordered me a

chicken, and some excellent wine, and then directed that I should be

put to bed in a very clean cabin. I would not undress myself, but lay

on the bed-clothes, and in half an hour stole out, when I thought the

crew was at dinner, and getting to the side of the ship, was going to

leap into the sea, and swim for my life, rather than continue among

_Yahoos_. But one of the seamen prevented me, and having informed the

captain, I was chained to my cabin.

After dinner, Don Pedro came to me, and desired to know my reason for

so desperate an attempt; assured me, “he only meant to do me all the

service he was able;” and spoke so very movingly, that at last I

descended to treat him like an animal which had some little portion of

reason. I gave him a very short relation of my voyage; of the

conspiracy against me by my own men; of the country where they set me

on shore, and of my five years residence there. All which he looked

upon as if it were a dream or a vision; whereat I took great offence;

for I had quite forgot the faculty of lying, so peculiar to _Yahoos_,

in all countries where they preside, and, consequently, their

disposition of suspecting truth in others of their own species. I asked

him, “whether it were the custom in his country to say the thing which

was not?” I assured him, “I had almost forgot what he meant by

falsehood, and if I had lived a thousand years in _Houyhnhnmland_, I

should never have heard a lie from the meanest servant; that I was

altogether indifferent whether he believed me or not; but, however, in

return for his favours, I would give so much allowance to the

corruption of his nature, as to answer any objection he would please to

make, and then he might easily discover the truth.”

The captain, a wise man, after many endeavours to catch me tripping in

some part of my story, at last began to have a better opinion of my

veracity. But he added, “that since I professed so inviolable an

attachment to truth, I must give him my word and honour to bear him

company in this voyage, without attempting any thing against my life;

or else he would continue me a prisoner till we arrived at Lisbon.” I

gave him the promise he required; but at the same time protested, “that

I would suffer the greatest hardships, rather than return to live among

_Yahoos_.”

Our voyage passed without any considerable accident. In gratitude to

the captain, I sometimes sat with him, at his earnest request, and

strove to conceal my antipathy against humankind, although it often

broke out; which he suffered to pass without observation. But the

greatest part of the day I confined myself to my cabin, to avoid seeing

any of the crew. The captain had often entreated me to strip myself of

my savage dress, and offered to lend me the best suit of clothes he

had. This I would not be prevailed on to accept, abhorring to cover

myself with any thing that had been on the back of a _Yahoo_. I only

desired he would lend me two clean shirts, which, having been washed

since he wore them, I believed would not so much defile me. These I

changed every second day, and washed them myself.

We arrived at Lisbon, Nov. 5, 1715. At our landing, the captain forced

me to cover myself with his cloak, to prevent the rabble from crowding

about me. I was conveyed to his own house; and at my earnest request he

led me up to the highest room backwards. I conjured him “to conceal

from all persons what I had told him of the _Houyhnhnms_; because the

least hint of such a story would not only draw numbers of people to see

me, but probably put me in danger of being imprisoned, or burnt by the

Inquisition.” The captain persuaded me to accept a suit of clothes

newly made; but I would not suffer the tailor to take my measure;

however, Don Pedro being almost of my size, they fitted me well enough.

He accoutred me with other necessaries, all new, which I aired for

twenty-four hours before I would use them.

The captain had no wife, nor above three servants, none of which were

suffered to attend at meals; and his whole deportment was so obliging,

added to very good human understanding, that I really began to tolerate

his company. He gained so far upon me, that I ventured to look out of

the back window. By degrees I was brought into another room, whence I

peeped into the street, but drew my head back in a fright. In a week’s

time he seduced me down to the door. I found my terror gradually

lessened, but my hatred and contempt seemed to increase. I was at last

bold enough to walk the street in his company, but kept my nose well

stopped with rue, or sometimes with tobacco.

In ten days, Don Pedro, to whom I had given some account of my domestic

affairs, put it upon me, as a matter of honour and conscience, “that I

ought to return to my native country, and live at home with my wife and

children.” He told me, “there was an English ship in the port just

ready to sail, and he would furnish me with all things necessary.” It

would be tedious to repeat his arguments, and my contradictions. He

said, “it was altogether impossible to find such a solitary island as I

desired to live in; but I might command in my own house, and pass my

time in a manner as recluse as I pleased.”

I complied at last, finding I could not do better. I left Lisbon the

24th day of November, in an English merchantman, but who was the master

I never inquired. Don Pedro accompanied me to the ship, and lent me

twenty pounds. He took kind leave of me, and embraced me at parting,

which I bore as well as I could. During this last voyage I had no

commerce with the master or any of his men; but, pretending I was sick,

kept close in my cabin. On the fifth of December, 1715, we cast anchor

in the Downs, about nine in the morning, and at three in the afternoon

I got safe to my house at Rotherhith. [546]

My wife and family received me with great surprise and joy, because

they concluded me certainly dead; but I must freely confess the sight

of them filled me only with hatred, disgust, and contempt; and the

more, by reflecting on the near alliance I had to them. For although,

since my unfortunate exile from the _Houyhnhnm_ country, I had

compelled myself to tolerate the sight of _Yahoos_, and to converse

with Don Pedro de Mendez, yet my memory and imagination were

perpetually filled with the virtues and ideas of those exalted

_Houyhnhnms_. And when I began to consider that, by copulating with one

of the _Yahoo_ species I had become a parent of more, it struck me with

the utmost shame, confusion, and horror.

As soon as I entered the house, my wife took me in her arms, and kissed

me; at which, having not been used to the touch of that odious animal

for so many years, I fell into a swoon for almost an hour. At the time

I am writing, it is five years since my last return to England. During

the first year, I could not endure my wife or children in my presence;

the very smell of them was intolerable; much less could I suffer them

to eat in the same room. To this hour they dare not presume to touch my

bread, or drink out of the same cup, neither was I ever able to let one

of them take me by the hand. The first money I laid out was to buy two

young stone-horses, which I keep in a good stable; and next to them,

the groom is my greatest favourite, for I feel my spirits revived by

the smell he contracts in the stable. My horses understand me tolerably

well; I converse with them at least four hours every day. They are

strangers to bridle or saddle; they live in great amity with me and

friendship to each other.