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Page 11
What astonished me, was to see such a Number of Corn-fields and
Pasture-grounds, in a flourishing Condition, and well fenced, and yet
not meet with the least Track or Path. However, I walk'd on till about
Three o' Clock, as I guess'd by the Sun, which, tho' it was excessive
hot, was no way uneasy to me, being flickered by the Hedges. Being come
to the Banks of a large River, bordered with Cedars, the tallest I ever
saw, and being under no Apprehension of wild Beasts in a Country so well
cultivated, I laid me down under one of the largest, and slept till the
Sun was near setting; and doubtless, not having closed my Eyes the Night
before, I should have continued my Nap, had I not been wakened with the
Sound of human Voices.
I started up, and look'd round me, but could perceive nothing like a
Man. I then holloo'd, and heard somebody say, _Quaw shoomaw_: I
answered, _Quaw shoomaw_; upon which I heard Two speak, and answer each
other, as I thought, over my Head. I look'd up, but could, by reason of
the Thickness and Height of the Tree, see nothing. I went some Paces
from it, and looking up again, I heard a Voice, which utered these Words
hastily, _Quaw shoomaw? starts_; which is, having afterwards learned the
Language, _Who art thou? stand_.
Hardly had these Words reached my Ears, when I saw a Cock and Hen fly
down from the Tree, and light near me; they were about Six Foot tall,
and their Bodies somewhat larger than a good Weather. The Cock who was
the larger the Two, coming pretty near me, tho' he discover'd in his
Eyes both Fear and Astonishment, repeated the Words, _Quaw shoomaw_. The
Hen, who kept a greater Distance, cried out, _Ednu sinvi_, which I since
learn'd, is, _Whence come you?_
I was as much surprized to hear Fowls speak, as they were to see such a
Monster as I appeared to be. I answer'd in her own Words, _Ednu sinvi_,
upon which she ask'd me, I suppose, a String of Questions, with a
Loquacity common to the sex and then fell a cackling. Three or four
Chickens came running to her, and at the Sight of me hid their Heads
under their Mother's Wing, as I suppos'd her. One of them, who was a
Cock not above Five Foot high, at last took Courage to peep out, and
said something to his Father; and, as I guess taking Courage from what
Answer he return'd, ventured to approach me. He walk'd round me tho'
he kept some Distance, and spoke in a threatning Tone. I answer'd in
a melancholy one, and in my own Language, That I was an unfortunate
shipwreck'd Man. The Youngster, I suppose, thinking me a harmless
Animal, ventured to strike at me, and if I had not avoided the Stroke,
I believe he had split my Skull, for his Spurrs were about Eighteen
Inches long, near Five about, and as sharp as Needles.
I saw his Father angry at this Proceeding, and he gave him a terrible
Cuff with his Wing, and sent him home. Then speaking to me, he made
Signs I should follow him; I understood, and obey'd him. After we had
pass'd a small Copse of about a Quarter of a Mile, we came into a fine
Meadow, where we saw several Hens milking Goats; they sat on their
Rumps, and were as dextrous with their two Feet, as any of our
Dairy-Maids with their Hands. They carried two Pails a-piece with a
Yoke, like our Tub-women; and indeed there are not in _Europe_ any who
exceed this Nation in Mechanicks, as far as they are useful to them. I
have seen a _Cacklogallinian_ (for so they call themselves) hover with
a Pair of Sheers in his two Feet, and cut Trees with all the Regularity
imaginable; for, in a Walk of a League long, which is very common before
the Houses of the Nobility, you won't see (not to say a Bough, but even)
a Leaf grow beyond the rest. They are the best Weavers in the Universe,
and make Cloath of stript Feathers, which they have the Art of spinning,
and which is the Staple Commodity of the Kingdom; for no Feathers are
comparable to these for this Manufacture. When I pass'd the Meadow,
every one quitted her Employment to come and stare at me; they all spoke
together so loud, and with such Volubility, that I almost fancied my
self among a Score of Gammers at a Country Christening.
This Meadow led to a Farm House which belonged to my Guide, or more
properly, Master; for I soon was made sensible, that they look'd upon me
as an irrational Beast, of a Species hitherto unknown to them. We were
no sooner within Doors, than the Family flock'd round to admire me,
asking Abundance of Questions which I did not understand. One of the
Hens brought me a Bowl of Goats Milk, which I received very thankfully,
and drank off. They then offer'd me Corn, which I rejecting, one of
them went out, and fetch'd me a Piece of boil'd Mutton; for these
_Cacklogallinians_, contrary to the Nature of _European_ Cocks, live
mostly on Flesh, except the poorer Sort, who feed on Grain. They do not
go to Roost, but lye on Feather-beds and Matrass, with warm Coverings;
for, at the setting of the Sun, there falls so great a Dew, that I was,
in the Night, as sensible of Cold, as ever I was in _Europe_ in the
Winter.
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