When dinner was done, the master horse took me aside,
and by signs and words made me understand the concern
he was in that I had nothing to eat. Oats in
their tongue are called hlunnh. This word I
pronounced two or three times; for although I had refused
them at first, yet, upon second thoughts, I considered
that I could contrive to make of them a kind of bread,
which might be sufficient, with milk, to keep me alive,
till I could make my escape to some other country,
and to creatures of my own species. The horse
immediately ordered a white mare servant of his family
to bring me a good quantity of oats in a sort of wooden
tray. These I heated before the fire, as well
as I could, and rubbed them till the husks came off,
which I made a shift to winnow from the grain.
I ground and beat them between two stones; then took
water, and made them into a paste or cake, which I
toasted at the fire and eat warm with milk.
It was at first a very insipid diet, though common
enough in many parts of Europe, but grew tolerable
by time; and having been often reduced to hard fare
in my life, this was not the first experiment I had
made how easily nature is satisfied. And I cannot
but observe, that I never had one hours sickness while
I stayed in this island. It is true, I sometimes
made a shift to catch a rabbit, or bird, by springs
made of Yahoo’s hairs; and I often gathered
wholesome herbs, which I boiled, and ate as salads
with my bread; and now and then, for a rarity, I made
a little butter, and drank the whey. I was at
first at a great loss for salt, but custom soon reconciled
me to the want of it; and I am confident that the
frequent use of salt among us is an effect of luxury,
and was first introduced only as a provocative to drink,
except where it is necessary for preserving flesh in
long voyages, or in places remote from great markets;
for we observe no animal to be fond of it but man,
and as to myself, when I left this country, it was
a great while before I could endure the taste of it
in anything that I ate.
This is enough to say upon the subject of my diet,
wherewith other travellers fill their books, as if
the readers were personally concerned whether we fare
well or ill. However, it was necessary to mention
this matter, lest the world should think it impossible
that I could find sustenance for three years in such
a country, and among such inhabitants.
When it grew towards evening, the master horse ordered
a place for me to lodge in; it was but six yards from
the house and separated from the stable of the Yahoos.
Here I got some straw, and covering myself with my
own clothes, slept very sound. But I was in a
short time better accommodated, as the reader shall
know hereafter, when I come to treat more particularly
about my way of living.
CHAPTER III.
[The author studies to learn the language. The
Houyhnhnm, his master, assists in teaching him.
The language described. Several Houyhnhnms
of quality come out of curiosity to see the author.
He gives his master a short account of his voyage.]
