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Chapter XI

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2021

Jonathan Swift
Edited by
David Womersley
David Womersley
Affiliation:
University of Oxford
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Summary

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, 1714/5, 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 probably 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 maiah Yahoo, Take Care of thy self, gentle Yahoo.

My Design was, if possible, to discover some small Island uninhabited, yet sufficient by my Labour to furnish me with 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 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 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 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.

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Chapter
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Gulliver's Travels , pp. 426 - 435
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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