After I had discovered this island, I considered no
further; but resolved it should if possible, be the
first place of my banishment, leaving the consequence
to fortune.
I returned home, and consulting with the sorrel nag,
we went into a copse at some distance, where I with
my knife, and he with a sharp flint, fastened very
artificially after their manner, to a wooden handle,
cut down several oak wattles, about the thickness of
a walking-staff, and some larger pieces. But
I shall not trouble the reader with a particular description
of my own mechanics; let it suffice to say, that in
six weeks time with the help of the sorrel nag, who
performed the parts that required most labour, I finished
a sort of Indian canoe, but much larger, covering it
with the skins of Yahoos, well stitched together with
hempen threads of my own making. My sail was
likewise composed of the skins of the same animal;
but I made use of the youngest I could get, the older
being too tough and thick; and I likewise provided
myself with four paddles. I laid in a stock
of boiled flesh, of rabbits and fowls, and took with
me two vessels, one filled with milk and the other
with water.
I tried my canoe in a large pond, near my master’s
house, and then corrected in it what was amiss; stopping
all the chinks with Yahoos’ tallow, till I found
it staunch, and able to bear me and my freight; and,
when it was as complete as I could possibly make it,
I had it drawn on a carriage very gently by Yahoos
to the sea-side, under the conduct of the sorrel nag
and another servant.
When all was ready, and the day came for my departure,
I took leave of my master and lady and the whole family,
my eyes flowing with tears, and my heart quite sunk
with grief. But his honour, out of curiosity,
and, perhaps, (if I may speak without vanity,) partly
out of kindness, was determined to see me in my canoe,
and got several of his neighbouring friends to accompany
him. I was forced to wait above an hour for
the tide; and then observing the wind very fortunately
bearing toward the island to which I intended to steer
my course, I took a second leave of my master:
but as I was going to prostrate myself to kiss his
hoof, he did me the honour to raise it gently to my
mouth. I am not ignorant how much I have been
censured for mentioning this last particular.
Detractors are pleased to think it improbable, that
so illustrious a person should descend to give so
great a mark of distinction to a creature so inferior
as I. Neither have I forgotten how apt some travellers
are to boast of extraordinary favours they have received.
But, if these censurers were better acquainted with
the noble and courteous disposition of the Houyhnhnms,
they would soon change their opinion.
I paid my respects to the rest of the Houyhnhnms in
his honour’s company; then getting into my canoe,
I pushed off from shore.
