cables, boats, and barges in abundance, and a considerable number of
ships, some laden and some not, which this creature had swallowed.
Everything was transacted by torch-light; no sun, no moon, no planet, to
make observations from. We were all generally afloat and aground twice
a-day; whenever he drank, it became high water with us; and when he
evacuated, we found ourselves aground; upon a moderate computation, he
took in more water at a single draught than is generally to be found in
the Lake of Geneva, though that is above thirty miles in circumference.
On the second day of our confinement in these regions of darkness, I
ventured at low water, as we called it when the ship was aground, to
ramble with the Captain, and a few of the other officers, with lights in
our hands; we met with people of all nations, to the amount of upwards
of ten thousand; they were going to hold a council how to recover their
liberty; some of them having lived in this animal's stomach several
years; there were several children here who had never seen the world,
their mothers having lain in repeatedly in this warm situation. Just as
the chairman was going to inform us of the business upon which we
were assembled, this plaguy fish, becoming thirsty, drank in his usual
manner; the water poured in with such impetuosity, that we were all
obliged to retreat to our respective ships immediately, or run the risk
of being drowned; some were obliged to swim for it, and with difficulty
saved their lives. In a few hours after we were more fortunate, we met
again just after the monster had evacuated. I was chosen chairman, and
the first thing I did was to propose splicing two main-masts together,
and the next time he opened his mouth to be ready to wedge them in, so
as to prevent his shutting it. It was unanimously approved. One hundred
stout men were chosen upon this service. We had scarcely got our masts
properly prepared when an opportunity offered; the monster opened his
mouth, immediately the top of the mast was placed against the roof, and
the other end pierced his tongue, which effectually prevented him from