Page:Surprising adventures, miraculous escapes, and wonderful travels, of the renowned Baron Munchausen.pdf/4

 the earth’s surface appeared just like a map, where land, sea, lakes, rivers, mountains, and the like were perfectly distinguishable; and having some knowledge of geogeaphygeography [sic], I was at no loss to deter- mine what part of the globe I was in —My eagle, however, proceeded and looking before me with inexpressible pleasure, I observed that he was preparing to alight, and descended on the top of a very high mountain. At this time the moon, far distant in the west, and obscured by dark clouds, but just afforded light sufficient to discover a kind of shrubbery all around — The eagle began to stagger against the shrubs; I endeavoured to keep my seat, but was soon thrown to some distance among the bushes. — In attempting to rise, I put my hand on a large hedge hog which happened to lie among the grass upon its back: It instantly closed round my hand, so that I found it impossible to shake it off. I struck it several times against the ground without effect; but while I was thus employed, I heard a rustling among the shrubbery, and looking up, I saw a huge animal within three yards of me! I could make no defence but held out both my hands, when it rushed on me, and seized that on which the hedge hog was fixed. — My hand being soon relieved. I ran to some distance, where I saw the creature suddenly drop down and expire, with the hedge hog in its throat! — As soon as day appeared, the eagle fled off and I travelled to the town, intending for Rome. — I travelled post, and finding myself in a narrow lane, bade the postillion give a signal with his horn, that other travellers might not meet us in the narrow passage. — He blew with all his might, but his endeavours were in vain; he could