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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.
Gulliver's Travels 87/96
Gulliver's Travels
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 [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]