Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 6.djvu/369

Rh made of skins, my wooden soled shoes, and my furred stockings; whence however they concluded, I was not a native of the place, who all go naked. One of the seamen, in PortuguezePortuguese [sic], bid me rise, and asked who I was. I understood that language very well, and getting upon my feet, said I was a poor yahoo banished from the Houyhnhnms, and desired they would please to let me depart. They admired to hear me answer them in their own tongue, and saw by my complexion, I must be a European; but were at a loss to know what I meant by Yahoos, and Houyhnhnms, and at the same time fell a laughing at my strange tone in speaking, which resembled the neighing of a horse. I trembled all the while betwixt fear and hatred: I again desired leave to depart, and was gently moving to my canoe; but they laid hold of me, desiring to know, what country I was of? whence I came? with many other questions. I told them I was born in England, whence I came about five years ago, and then their country and ours were at peace. I therefore hoped they would not treat me as an enemy, since I meant them no harm, but was a poor yahoo, seeking some desolate place where to pass the remainder of his unfortunate life.

When they began to talk, I thought I never heard or saw any thing so unnatural; for it appeared to me as monstrous as if a dog or a cow should speak in England, or a yahoo in Houyhnhnmland. The honest PortuguezePortuguese [sic] were equally amazed at my strange dress, and the odd manner of delivering my words, which however they understood very well. They spoke to me with great humanity, and said they were sure the captain would Rh