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 tions about his strange Form. He told me, that at his Birth he was unlike other Children; but could never assign any Cause for it, other than some strange Conceits, and Mismanagement of his Mother, while he was in her Womb. I do not, said he, repine at mine uncommon Form, well knowing that my Body should be the least of my Concern, since my Deformity cannot hinder the Operations of my Mind. Whensoever, indeed, I appear abroad, I cover myself close with this Mantle, which was very wonderfully made: It was made by my Master of a Salt Wave, artfully dried in Smoke: He first infus'd a coagulating Liquor into it, and then spread it upon a Frame till it became dry, and afterwards he painted it.

It was now almost Time to betake ourselves to Rest, when I call'd Tckbrff aside, and propos'd to him a Method of escaping. I had before enquir'd of some of the Servants where the Chimney open'd itself; and was told, that about a League thence it open'd into a Cave, but was impassable, on account of the Smoke and craggy Rock that surrounded it: Yet I believ'd that if we ascended when the Fire was out, we might, with some Difficulty, escape. Tckbrff was of my Opinion, and willed instantly to set about it; but the old Mathematician would by no Means venture himself into it; for, said he, I can perceive near the Mouth of it a great many acute Angles, which my Flesh has a natural Aversion to. However, since you are resolv'd to venture, I will keep them from lighting a Fire as long as I can, and wish you Success.

When we had taken our Leave of him, he retir'd to his Bed, and left us waiting till we should think they were all asleep, at which Time, when it came, we resolutely ascended. We had not got far when we were minded to go down again; and certainly would, had we not perceived our Passage