Page:Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World by Lemuel Gulliver First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships.djvu/48

8 He acted every part of an Orator, and I could observe many Periods of ThreatningsThreatening [sic], and others of Promises, Pity, and Kindness. I answered in a few words, but in the most submissive manner, lifting up my Left hand and both mine Eyes to the Sun, as calling him for a Witness; and being almost famished with Hunger, having not eaten a Morsel for some hours before I left the Ship, I found the Demands of nature so strong upon me, that I could not forbear shewing my Impatience (perhaps against the strict Rules of Decency) by putting my finger frequently on my mouth, to signify that I wanted Food. The Hurgo (for so they call a great Lord, as I afterwards learnt) understood me very well. He descended from the Stage, and commanded that several Ladders should be applyed to my Sides, on which above an Hundred of the Inhabitants mounted, and walked towards my Mouth, laden with Baskets full of Meat, which had been provided, and sent thither by the King's Orders upon the first Intelligence he received of me. I observed there was the Flesh of several Animals, but could not distinguish them by the Taste. There were Shoulders, Legs, and Loins shaped like those of Mutton, and very well dressed, but smaller than the Wings of a Lark. I eat them by Two or Three at a mouthful, and took Three Loaves at a time, about the bigness of Musket Bullets. They supplyedsupplied [sic] me as they could, shewing a thousand marks of Wonder and astonishment at my Bulk and Appetite, I then made another sign that I wanted Drink. They found by my eating that a small quantity would not suffice me, and being a most ingenious people, they slung up with great dexterity one of their largest Hogsheads, then rolled it towards my Hand, and beat out the Top ; I drank it off at a Draught, which I might well do, for it did not hold Half a pint, and tasted like a small Wine of Burgundy, but much more delicious. They brought me a Second Hogshead, which I drank in the same manner, and made signs for more, but they had none to give me. When I had perform'd these Wonders, they shouted for joy, and danced upon my breast, repeating several times as they did at first, Hekinah Degul. They made me a sign that I should throw down the two Hogsheads, but first warned the