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 human
kind, 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. [7]

[7] The original editions and Hawksworth's have Rotherhith here,
though earlier in the work, Redriff is said to have been
Gulliver's home in England.

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.

****

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