Page:A trip to the moon (IA triptomoon00mcde).pdf/84

 to grow less steep. Never did Knight in enchanted Castle suffer more than we did in passing through this gloomy Labyrinth; our Cloaths and Skins were much torn, and our Mouths filled with Soot. When we had climb'd about a Mile, our Passage became more easy, which encouraged us to proceed, till after much Toil and Vexation we saw the Light, and could walk upright; we were then within fifty Yards of the Mouth of the Cave, which was very large, and open'd into a pleasant Field.

We were no sooner come out, than we return'd God Thanks for our Delivery, and wash'd ourselves in a River that was near; then we laid down to refresh ourselves in the Field, before we went any further, and consulted upon Measures to be taken in this strange Place. We had scarce sat down, when a vast Quantity of Smoke issued out of the Cave: We suppos'd that Sactuff had caus'd a larger Fire than usual to be made, in order to stifle us in our Flight: But if that was his Design, it was frustrated. After we had rested a while, we rose, and made towards a Town that was not very far thence.

In our Way thither, we met with an amazing Sight, a Field full of little Children, with their Heads just above Ground: I was mov'd with Horror, when I saw them to be too young to deserve so severe a Punishment, as I thought that was. However, we went on till we came to an House situate at one End of the Town: We went in, the Door being open; but could see no Body; besides, we could see no Locks on any Door, but every Thing expos'd: We fear'd to meddle with any Thing, lest, being caught in the Fact, we should be impal'd alive; for we had form'd strange Notions of this People's Cruelty. We left this House, and went to another; where we found the Inhabitants within, who receiv'd us with pleasant Looks, and caus'd us