Gulliver's Travels

Part IV: A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnhnms

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 Portugueze Ship. The great Civilities of the Captain. The Author arrives at England.

I began this desperate Voyage on February 15, 171 4/5. at 9 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 Shoar, 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 Happpiness 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 any 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 Cabbin. How I continued there several Weeks, without knowing what Course we took, and when I was put a Shoar 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 ten 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 but 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 Canoo, and climbing up a part of the Rock, I could plainly discover Land to the East, extending from South to North. I lay all Night in my Canoo, 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 hath 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 Shell-fish on the Shore, and eat them raw, not daring to kindle a Fire, for fear of being discovered by the Natives. I continued three Days feeding on Oysters and Limpits, 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 Smoak. One of them spied me, and gave notice to the rest; five of them advanced towards me leaving the Women and Children at the Fire. I made what haste I could to the Shore, and getting into my Canoo, 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 Landingplace, 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 no, but at last my Detestation of the Yahoo Race prevailed, and turning my Canoo, I sailed and paddled together to the South, and got into the same Creek from whence I set out in the Morning, choosing rather to trust myself among these Barbarians, than live with European Yahoos. I drew up my Canoo 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 out her LongBoat 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 Hidingplace. The Seamen at their landing observed my Canoo, 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 a while in admiration at my strange uncouth Dress, my Coat made of Skins, my wooden soaled Shoes, and my furred Stockings; from whence, however, they concluded I was not a Native of the Place, who all go naked. One of the Seamen in Portugueze 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 an 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 Canoo; but they laid hold on me, desiring to know, What Country I was of? whence I came? with many other Questions. I told them, I was born in England, from 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 so unnatural; for it appeared to me as monstrous as if a Dog or a Cow should speak in England, as a Yahoo in Houyhnhnm-land. The honest Portugueze 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 their Captain would carry me gratis to Lisbon, from 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 loaden with Vessels of Water, returned with the Captain's Commands 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, from whence I was taken into the Ship, and from thence into the Captain's Cabbin.

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 Canoo; but he ordered me a Chicken and some excellent Wine, and then directed that I should be put to Bed in a very clean Cabbin. I would not undress myself, but lay on the Bed-cloaths, 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 Cabbin.

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 three 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 the 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 that 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 Lye from the meanest Servant; that I was altogether indifferent whether he believed me or no; 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, and the rather because he confessed, he met with a Dutch Skipper, who pretended to have landed with Five others of his Crew upon a certain Island or Continent South of New-Holland, where they went for fresh Water, and observed a Horse driving before him several Animals exactly resembling those I described under the Name of Yahoos, with some other Particulars, which the Captain said he had forgot; because he then concluded them all to be Lies. But he added, that since I professed so inviolable an Attachment to Truth, I must give him my Word of 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 sate with him at his earnest Request, and strove to conceal my Antipathy to 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 Cabbin, 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 Cloaths 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 crouding 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 Cloaths newly made, but I would not suffer the Taylor 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, from 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 encrease. 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 Domestick 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 had 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 Merchant-Man, but who was the Master I never enquired. 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 the last Voyage I had no Commerce with the Master or any of his Men, but pretending I was sick kept close in my Cabbin. 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.

My Wife and Family received me with great Surprize 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 Imaginations 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 became 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 in 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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