VThree days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the
northeast coast of the island, I observed at some distance in the
sea something that looked like a boat overturned. I pulled
off my shoes and stockings, and wading two or three hundred yards,
I plainly saw it to be a real boat, which I supposed might by some
tempest have been driven from a ship. I returned immediately
to the city for help, and after a huge amount of labor I managed to
get my boat to the royal port of Blefuscu, where a great crowd of
people appeared, full of wonder at sight of so prodigious a
vessel. I told the Emperor that my good fortune had thrown
this boat in my way to carry me to some place whence I might return
to my native country, and begged his orders for materials to fit it
up, and leave
