Chapter Eight (by Marina and Liesl)

Greetings from Europe! I am sure you are wondering how I managed to get back. Do not be of fear, I will not spare you the details.

At approximately three days after my arrival in Blefuscu, I encountered, by some Great Chance or Fortune, a large object just off the shore, moving closer by the tide, to which I judged to be a properly sized boat. I decided this was my Opportunity to escape this peoples while in the possession on mine eyes. The Emperor of Blefuscu, after three days to consult his advisors, many of whom felt in favor towards me for some Reason or another, even though I had effectively destroyed their navy and put them under the Occupation of the Lilliputians, made various Excuses for me, saying that soon the would both be rid of me and my treasury-draining Appetite as I would be sailing away. It was told to me, in Confidence, that the reply also contained a provision which I have roughly translated as I know it will be of interest to my readers.

“It would be crazy to try and bind the man-mountain. You only managed to do so because he was asleep. Are you insane?”

By this point, we were all impatient for me to leave, and thus the preparations began on my boat. I will not bore you with the details of the 500 workmen quilting thirteen fold of the strongest linen to provide my sails, or the tallow of 300 cows to grease my boat, or my Personal Contribution to the entire endeavor, a large rock.

In about a month, the boat was prepared for and I was ready to depart after a few formalities. I have described the contents of my boat best in my book. The details of finding it I will not enforce upon you, but it is something I highly recommend reading.

“I stored the boat with the Carcasses of an hundred Oxen, and three hundred Sheep, with Bread and Drink proportionable, and as much Meat ready dressed as four hundred Cooks could provide. I took with me six Cows and two Bulls alive, with as many Yews and Rams, intending to carry them into my own Country, and propagate the Breed. And to feed them on board, I had a good Bundle of Hay, and a Bag of Corn.

I have also included some passages from a journal I kept on my boat.

September 24,1701

Wind: South east

Sheep count: 300

I set sail at 6 in the morning and at about half a day after, which is to say 6 at night, I found a small island. I cast the anchor lee-side of the seems-to-be uninhibited island, took my refreshments, ate them, and slept quite well.

Next day

Wind: favourable

Sheep count:300

Ate breakfast, heaved anchor, and set sail on the same intended course of the morning before. Nothing was found…so I kept sailing.

Next day:

At about 3 in the afternoon, after which I computed with my trustworthy pocket compass that I was due east, I saw a sail sailing southeast, which I had also determined by my pocket compass. I tried to hail her, but I got no answer. And then I gained distance, all to the my favourable wind, and I saw a gun aiming at me from the sail. I cannot express the joy I had when I saw the gun because it meant I saw my people again!

As I came up with the sail, my heart did a little jump inside of me when I saw the English colours. I put my sheep and cattle in my coat pockets and hopped on the ship that carried 50 men. They were all kind men, that’s all you really need to know. My old comrade, Peter Williams, thought I was a lunatic when I told him about my travels. But then I showed him the gold the king of Blefuscu gave me and he no longer believed I was mad. The rest of my voyage doesn’t really matter.

April, 13,1702

Sheep Count: 299

We finally arrived in the Downs. I had lost one of my sheep because the rats on board carried it away and left only its flesh. It was sad but the rest of my sheep and cattle got on shore safely. During my short stay in England, I sold my Cattle to persons of quality for a profitable price of six hundred pounds. I found that the breed was very popular, especially the sheep, and I hope my sheep will benefit the Wool Manufacturing, for they are the finest of fleeces.

I spent two months in England with my wife and family but my obsession with my travels left me no further time. I left my wife with fifteen hundred pounds and settled her in a good house in Redruff. I then found out that my uncle left me an estate, my son Johnny is now at grammar school, and my daughter betty is now married. What joy! I left my wife and family, with tears on both eyes, excited to board the Adventure that was going to take me on another adventure to Surat! So long, my comrades! My account of the next voyage is featured in my next blog.