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 ate them by two or three at a mouthful, and took three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket bullets.  They supplied me as they could, showing 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[9] 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 performed 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 warning the people below to stand out of the way, crying aloud, Borach nevola; and, when they saw the vessels in the air, there was an universal shout of Hekinah degul.

I confess, I was often tempted, while they were passing backwards and forwards on my body, to seize forty or fifty of the first that came in my reach, and dash them against the ground.  But the remembrance of what I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the promise of honor I made them—­for so I interpreted my submissive behavior—­soon drove out those imaginations.  Besides, I now considered myself as bound, by the laws of hospitality, to a people who had treated me with so much expense and magnificence.  However, in my thoughts I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals, who durst venture to mount and walk upon my body, while one of my hands was at liberty, without trembling at the very sight of so prodigious a creature, as I must appear to them.

[Illustration:  “Producing his credentials.”  P. 14.]

After some time, when they observed that I made no more demands for meat, there appeared before me a person of high rank from his imperial majesty.  His excellency, having mounted on the small of my right leg, advanced forwards up to my face, with about a dozen of his retinue:  and, producing his credentials under the signet-royal,[10] which he applied close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes, without any signs of anger, but with a kind of determinate resolution, often pointing forwards, which, as I afterwards found, was towards the capital city, about half a mile distant, whither it was agreed by his majesty in council that I must be conveyed.  I answered in few words, but to no purpose, and made a sign with my hand that was loose, putting it to the other (but over his excellency’s head, for fear of hurting him or his train) and then to my own head and body, to signify that I desired my liberty.