Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 9 — page 9: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

this time the moon, far distant in the west, and ob- | occurred to me that this was a good opportunity to | ht. suffi- | discover the northwest scured by dark clouds, but just afforded li cient for me to discover a kind of pnt < wonton all | fruit something like me around, bearing which the eagles began to feed on very erly. endeavored to discover my situation, but fogs and | passing clouds involved me in the thickest darkness; | and what rendered the scene still more shocking, which appeared to be very near: however, I deter- mined to keep my seat, imagining that the — would carry me awa if any of them should make a hostile attempt. hen daylight began to appear, I thought of examining the fruit which I had seen the eagles eat; and as some was hanging, which I could easily come at, I took out my knife and cut a slice: but how great was my surprise to see that it had all the appearance of roast beef, regularly mix- ed, both fat and lean! I tasted it, and found it well- flavored and delicious; then cut several large slices and put in my pocket, where I found a crust of bread which I had brought from Mar ate; took it out, and found three musket-balls that had been lodged in it at Dover cliff. I extracted them, and cutting a few Munchausen. ssage, if any such thing ex- isted, and not only obtain the reward offered by gov- ernment, but the honor of a discovery pregnant with so many advantages to every European nation, But while my thoughts were absorbed in this pleasing reverie, [ was alarmed by the first eagle striking its head against a solid transparent substance; and In a was the tremendous howling of wild beasts, some of | moment that which I rode experienced the same fate, and both fell down seemingly dead. Here our lives must inevitably have terminated, had not a sense of danger, and the singularity of my _ situation, inspired me with a degree of skill and dex- the desired effect; and we descended ve terity, which enabled us to fall near two miles per- yendicular with as little inconvenience asif we had _into small slic n let down with a rope: for no sooner did I per- | ceive the eagles strike against a frozen cloud, which is very common near the close together) I laid ct ape f along the back of the foremost, and took hold of its wings to keep them extended, at the same time stretching out my legs behind to support the wings of the other, This had mountain of ice, which I supposed to be a slices more, made a hearty meal of bread and cold | miles above the level of the sea. beef fruit. I then cut down two of the largest that grew near me, and tying them together with one of my garters, hung them over the eagle’s neck for another occasion, ony my ockets at the same time. While was settling these affairs, I observed a large fruit like an inflated bladder, which I wish- ed to try an experiment upon: and sticking my knife into one of them, a fine pure liquor like Hollands gin ed out, which the eagles o ving, eagerly drank up from the ground. I cut down the bladder as fast as I could, and saved about half a pint in the bottom of it, which I tasted, and could not distinguish it from the best mountain wine. I drank it all, and found myself atly refreshed. By this time he eagles began to stagger ainst the shrubs. I endeavor- to keep my seat, but was soon thrown to some distance among the bushes. In attempt- ing to rise, 1 put my hand upon a large hedgehog, which hap- pened to lie among the grass uponits back: it instantly closed round my hand, so that I found it impossible to shake it off. I struck it several times against the ground without effect; but while I was thus employed, I heard a oe among the shrubbery, and looking up, I sawahuge animal within three yards of me; I could make no defense, but held out both my hands, when it rushed upon me, seized that on which the he hog was fixed. My hand being soon relieved, I ran to some distance, where I saw the crea- ture suddenly dro expire with the hedgehog in its throat. When the danger was past, I went to view the eagles, and found them lying on the grass fast asleep, ing intoxi- cated with the liquor they had drank. Indeed, I found myself considerably elevated by it, and seeing everything quiet, I began to search for some more, which I soon found; and having eut down two large bladders, about a on each, I tied them’ to- gether, and hung them over the neck of the other eagle; and two smaller ones I tied with a cord round my own waist. Having secured a good stock of provis- ions, and perceiving the eagies begin to recover,I again took my seat. In half an hour they aros er ome from the place, without taking the least notice of their incumbrance.—Bach reassumed its former station; and directing their course to the northward, they crossed the Gulf of Mexico, entered North America, and steered directly for the Polar regions, which gave me the finest opportunity of viewing this vast continent that can possibly be imagined. Before we entered the frigid zone, the cold began to affect me; but piercing one of my bladders, I took a draugat, and found that it could make no impres- sion on me afterward. Passing over Hudson's Bay, I saw several of the Company’s ships lying at anchor, down and and many tribes of Indians mare with their furs to market. By this time Iwas so reconciled to my seat, and become such an expert rider, that I could sit up and look around me; but in general I lay along the eagle’s neck, grasping it in my arms, with my hands immersed in its feathers, in order to keep them warm. In these cold climates I observed that the eagles flew with ter rapidity, in order, I suppose, to keep their blood in circulation, In passing Baffin’s Bay, I saw several large Greenlandmen to the east- ward, and many large mountains of ice in those seas, While I was surveying these wonders of nature, it I dismounted; unloaded the eagles; opened one of the bladders, and administered some of the liquor to each of them, without once considering that the hor- rors of destruction seemed to have aioe against me. The roaring of waves, crashing of ice, and the howling of bears, conspired to form a scene the most awful and tremendous: but notwithstanding this, m concern for the recovery of the eagles was so great, that I was ingensible of the danger to which I was exposed. Having rendered them every assistance in re? power, I stood over them in painful anxiety, fully sensible that it was only by means of them that i at possibly be delivered from these abodes of espair. But suddenly a monster bear began to roar behind me, with a voice like thunder. I turned round, and seeing the creature just ready to devour me having the bladder of liquor in my hands, throt h fear I squeezed it so hard, that it burst, and the liquor fly- ing in the eyes of the animal, totally deprived it of sight. It instantly turned from me, ran away in a state of distraction, and soon fell over a precipice of ice into the sea, where I saw it no more. The danger being over, I again turned my atten- les, than (they being — | | | | ‘“‘ HIS HEAD HAD GOT AS FAR AS THE OTHER BEAST’S THROAT.” _ for me, tion to the eagles, whom I found in a fair way of re- covery; and suspecting that they were faint for want of victuals, I took one of the beef fruits, cut it and presented them with it, which ey devoured with avidity. aving given them plenty to eat and drink, and disposed of the remainder of my provision, I took possession of my seat as before. After composing myself, and adjusting every thing in the best manner, I began to eat and drink very heartily; and through the effects of the mountain, as I ed it, was very cheerful, and began to sing a few verses of a song which I had learned when 1 was a boy: but the noise soon alarmed the eagles, who had been asleep, through the quantity of liquor which they had oak and they arose mocmnlnghy. much terrified. Happily owever, when I was feeding them I had ac- cidentally turned their heads toward the south-east, which course they pursued with a rapid motion. In a few hours I saw the Western Isles, and soon after had the inexpressible pleasure of seeing Old Eng- land, I took no notice of the seas or islands over safeona | which I passed. ut three | The eagles descended gradually as they drew near the shore, intending, as meres to alight on one of the Welch mountains; but when they came to the distance of about sixty yards, twoguns were fired at them, loaded with balls, one of which took pence in a bladder of liquor that to my waist; the other ente the breast of the foremost eagle, who fell to the ground, while that which I rode, having received no injury, flew away with amazing swiftness. This cireumstance alarmed me exceedingly, and I to think it was impossible for me to escape with my life; but re- covering a little, I once more looked down upon the earth; when, to my inexpressible joy, I saw Margate at a little dis: tance, and the le d on the old tomenatiteseéad carried me on the morning of the day before. It no sooner came down than I threw my- self off, happy to find that I was once more restored to the world. The eagle tlew away in afew minutes and I sat down to compose my fluttering spirits, which I did in a few hours. I soon paid a visit to m friends, and related these ad- ventures. Amazement stood in every countenance; their con- gratulations on my returning in — were repeated with an ected degree of pleasure; and 9 p the evening as we are doing now, every person present come les the highest com- liments to my CouRAGE and ERACITY. CHAPTER XXII. THE BARON INSISTS ON THE VER- ACITY OF HIS FORMER MEMOIRS —FORMS A DESIGN OF MAKING DISCOVERIES IN THE INTERIOR PARTS OF AFRICA —HIS DIs- COURSE WITH HILARO FROST- ICOS ABOUT IT—HIS CONVERSA- TION WITH LADY FRAGRANTIA —THE BARON GOES WITH OTHER PERSONS OF DISTINCTION TO COURT; RELATES AN ANECDOTE OF THE MARQUIS DE BELLE- COURT. Aut. that I have related be- fore, said the Baron, is gospel; and if there be any one se hardy as to deny it, Iam ready to fight him with any weapon he pleases. Yes, cried he, ina more elevated tone, as he start- ed from his seat, I willcondemn him to swallow this decanter glass and all, perha and filled with kerren-wasser; {a kind of ardent spirit distilled from cherries, and much used in some parts of Germany. ] Therefore, my dear friends and companions, have confidence in what I say, and pay honor to the tales of Munchausen. A traveler has a right to relate and embellish his adventures as he pleases; and it isjvery unpolite to refuse that deference and applause they deserve. : aving some time in England since the completion of my former memoirs, I at ——— an to revolve in my mind what a prodigious field of dis- covery must be in the interior part of Africa. I could not sleep with the thoughts of it; I therefore determined to gain every proper assistance from government, to penetrate the celebrated source of the Nile, and assume the viceroyship of the interior kingdoms of Africa, or, at least, the great realm of Monomotapa. It was happy for me that IT had one most powerful friend at court, whom I shall call the illustrious Hilaro cos. You perchance know him not by name: but we had a language among ourselves, as well we may; for, in the course of my peregrensiaes I have acquired precisely nine hun- red and ninety-nine leash of languages.—What gentlemen, do you stare?—Well, I allow there JOO (E@) AML cS (El)