Chapter 11

           IbeganthisdesperatevoyageonFebruary15,1714-15,atnineo’clockinthemorning.Thewindwasveryfavourable;however,Imadeuseatfirstonlyofmypaddles;butconsideringIshouldsoonbeweary,andthatthewindmightchopabout,Iventuredtosetupmylittlesail;andthus,withthehelpofthetide,Iwentattherateofaleagueandahalfanhour,asnearasIcouldguess.MymasterandhisfriendscontinuedontheshoretillIwasalmostoutofsight;andIoftenheardthesorrelnag(whoalwayslovedme)cryingout,"Hnuyillanyha,majahYahoo;""Takecareofthyself,gentleYahoo."

           Mydesignwas,ifpossible,todiscoversomesmallislanduninhabited,yetsufficient,bymylabour,tofurnishmewiththenecessariesoflife,whichIwouldhavethoughtagreaterhappiness,thantobefirstministerinthepolitestcourtofEurope;sohorriblewastheideaIconceivedofreturningtoliveinthesociety,andunderthegovernmentofYahoos.ForinsuchasolitudeasIdesired,Icouldatleastenjoymyownthoughts,andreflectwithdelightonthevirtuesofthoseinimitableHouyhnhnms,withoutanopportunityofdegeneratingintothevicesandcorruptionsofmyownspecies.

           ThereadermayrememberwhatIrelated,whenmycrewconspiredagainstme,andconfinedmetomycabin;howIcontinuedthereseveralweekswithoutknowingwhatcoursewetook;andwhenIwasputashoreinthelong-boat,howthesailorstoldme,withoaths,whethertrueorfalse,"thattheyknewnotinwhatpartoftheworldwewere."