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+====== TRAVELS OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN ======
+===== SUPPLEMENT =====
+//Extraordinary flight on the back of an eagle, over France to
+Gibraltar, South and North America, the Polar Regions, and back to
+England, within six-and-thirty hours.//
+About the beginning of his present Majesty's reign I had some business
+with a distant relation who then lived on the Isle of Thanet; it was a
+family dispute, and not likely to be finished soon. I made it a
+practice during my residence there, the weather being fine, to walk
+out every morning. After a few of these excursions I observed an
+object upon a great eminence about three miles distant: I extended my
+walk to it, and found the ruins of an ancient temple: I approached it
+with admiration and astonishment; the traces of grandeur and
+magnificence which yet remained were evident proofs of its former
+splendour: here I could not help lamenting the ravages and
+devastations of time, of which that once noble structure exhibited
+such a melancholy proof. I walked round it several times, meditating
+on the fleeting and transitory nature of all terrestrial things; on
+the eastern end were the remains of a lofty tower, near forty feet
+high, overgrown with ivy, the top apparently flat; I surveyed it on
+every side very minutely, thinking that if I could gain its summit I
+should enjoy the most delightful prospect of the circumjacent country.
+Animated with this hope, I resolved, if possible, to gain the summit,
+which I at length effected by means of the ivy, though not without
+great difficulty and danger; the top I found covered with this
+evergreen, except a large chasm in the middle. After I had surveyed
+with pleasing wonder the beauties of art and nature that conspired to
+enrich the scene, curiosity prompted me to sound the opening in the
+middle, in order to ascertain its depth, as I entertained a suspicion
+that it might probably communicate with some unexplored subterranean
+cavern in the hill; but having no line I was at a loss how to proceed.
+After revolving the matter in my thoughts for some time, I resolved to
+drop a stone down and listen to the echo: having found one that
+answered my purpose I placed myself over the hole, with one foot on
+each side, and stooping down to listen, I dropped the stone, which I
+had no sooner done than I heard a rustling below, and suddenly a
+monstrous eagle put up its head right opposite my face, and rising up
+with irresistible force, carried me away seated on its shoulders: I
+instantly grasped it round the neck, which was large enough to fill my
+arms, and its wings, when extended, were ten yards from one extremity
+to the other. As it rose with a regular ascent, my seat was perfectly
+easy, and I enjoyed the prospect below with inexpressible pleasure. It
+hovered over Margate for some time, was seen by several people, and
+many shots were fired at it; one ball hit the heel of my shoe, but did
+me no injury. It then directed its course to Dover cliff, where it
+alighted, and I thought of dismounting, but was prevented by a sudden
+discharge of musketry from a party of marines that were exercising on
+the beach; the balls flew about my head, and rattled on the feathers
+of the eagle like hail-stones, yet I could not perceive it had
+received any injury. It instantly reascended and flew over the sea
+towards Calais, but so very high that the Channel seemed to be no
+broader than the Thames at London Bridge. In a quarter of an hour I
+found myself over a thick wood in France, where the eagle descended
+very rapidly, which caused me to slip down to the back part of its
+head; but alighting on a large tree, and raising its head, I recovered
+my seat as before, but saw no possibility of disengaging myself
+without the danger of being killed by the fall; so I determined to sit
+fast, thinking it would carry me to the Alps, or some other high
+mountain, where I could dismount without any danger. After resting a
+few minutes it took wing, flew several times round the wood, and
+screamed loud enough to be heard across the English Channel. In a few
+minutes one of the same species arose out of the wood, and flew
+directly towards us; it surveyed me with evident marks of displeasure,
+and came very near me. After flying several times round, they both
+directed their course to the south-west. I soon observed that the one
+I rode upon could not keep pace with the other, but inclined towards
+the earth, on account of my weight; its companion perceiving this,
+turned round and placed itself in such a position that the other could
+rest its head on its rump; in this manner they proceeded till noon,
+when I saw the rock of Gibraltar very distinctly. The day being clear,
+notwithstanding my degree of elevation, the earth's surface appeared
+just like a map, where land, sea, lakes, rivers, mountains, and the
+like were perfectly distinguishable; and having some knowledge of
+geography, I was at no loss to determine what part of the globe I was
+in.
+Whilst I was contemplating this wonderful prospect a dreadful howling
+suddenly began all around me, and in a moment I was invested by
+thousands of small, black, deformed, frightful looking creatures, who
+pressed me on all sides in such a manner that I could neither move
+hand or foot: but I had not been in their possession more than ten
+minutes when I heard the most delightful music that can possibly be
+imagined, which was suddenly changed into a noise the most awful and
+tremendous, to which the report of cannon, or the loudest claps of
+thunder could bear no more proportion than the gentle zephyrs of the
+evening to the most dreadful hurricane; but the shortness of its
+duration prevented all those fatal effects which a prolongation of it
+would certainly have been attended with.
+The music commenced, and I saw a great number of the most beautiful
+little creatures seize the other party, and throw them with great
+violence into something like a snuff-box, which they shut down, and
+one threw it away with incredible velocity; then turning to me, he
+said they whom he had secured were a party of devils, who had wandered
+from their proper habitation; and that the vehicle in which they were
+enclosed would fly with unabating rapidity for ten thousand years,
+when it would burst of its own accord, and the devils would recover
+their liberty and faculties, as at the present moment. He had no
+sooner finished this relation than the music ceased, and they all
+disappeared, leaving me in a state of mind bordering on the confines
+of despair.
+When I had recomposed myself a little, and looking before me with
+inexpressible pleasure, I observed that the eagles were preparing to
+light on the peak of Teneriffe: they descended on the top of the rock,
+but seeing no possible means of escape if I dismounted determined me
+to remain where I was. The eagles sat down seemingly fatigued, when
+the heat of the sun soon caused them both to fall asleep, nor did I
+long resist its fascinating power. In the cool of the evening, when
+the sun had retired below the horizon, I was roused from sleep by the
+eagle moving under me; and having stretched myself along its back, I
+sat up, and reassumed my travelling position, when they both took
+wing, and having placed themselves as before, directed their course to
+South America. The moon shining bright during the whole night, I had a
+fine view of all the islands in those seas.
+About the break of day we reached the great continent of America, that
+part called Terra Firma, and descended on the top of a very high
+mountain. At this time the moon, far distant in the west, and obscured
+by dark clouds, but just afforded light sufficient for me to discover
+a kind of shrubbery all around, bearing fruit something like cabbages,
+which the eagles began to feed on very eagerly. I endeavoured to
+discover my situation, but fogs and passing clouds involved me in the
+thickest darkness, and what rendered the scene still more shocking was
+the tremendous howling of wild beasts, some of which appeared to be
+very near: however, I determined to keep my seat, imagining that the
+eagle would carry me away if any of them should make a hostile
+attempt. When 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 mixed, both fat and lean! I tasted it, and found it
+well flavoured and delicious, then cut several large slices and put in
+my pocket, where I found a crust of bread which I had brought from
+Margate; took it out, and found three musket-balls that had been
+lodged in it on Dover cliff. I extracted them, and cutting a few
+slices more, made a hearty meal of bread and cold 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, filling my pockets at the same time. While I was settling
+these affairs I observed a large fruit like an inflated bladder, which
+I wished to try an experiment upon: and striking my knife into one of
+them, a fine pure liquor like Hollands gin rushed out, which the
+eagles observing, 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 greatly refreshed. By
+this time the eagles began to stagger against the shrubs. I
+endeavoured to keep my seat, but was soon thrown to some distance
+among the bushes. In attempting to rise I put my hand upon a large
+hedgehog, which happened to lie among the grass upon its 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 rustling among the shrubbery,
+and looking up, I saw a huge animal within three yards of me; I could
+make no defence, but held out both my hands, when it rushed upon me,
+and seized that on which the hedgehog was fixed. My hand being soon
+relieved, I ran to some distance, where I saw the creature suddenly
+drop down and 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, being intoxicated 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
+cut down two large bladders, about a gallon each, I tied them
+together, and hung them over the neck of the other eagle, and the two
+smaller ones I tied with a cord round my own waist. Having secured a
+good stock of provisions, and perceiving the eagles begin to recover,
+I again took my seat. In half an hour they arose majestically from the
+place, without taking the least notice of their incumbrance. Each
+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 draught, and found that it could
+make no impression on me afterwards. Passing over Hudson's Bay, I saw
+several of the Company's ships lying at anchor, and many tribes of
+Indians marching with their furs to market.
+By this time I was 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 those cold climates I observed that the eagles flew with greater
+rapidity, in order, I suppose, to keep their blood in circulation. In
+passing Baffin's Bay I saw several large Greenlandmen to the eastward,
+and many surprising mountains of ice in those seas.
+While I was surveying these wonders of nature it occurred to me that
+this was a good opportunity to discover the north-west passage, if any
+such thing existed, and not only obtain the reward offered by
+government, but the honour of a discovery pregnant with so many
+advantages to every European nation. But while my thoughts were
+absorbed in this pleasing reverie I was alarmed by the first eagle
+striking its head against a solid transparent substance, and in a
+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 dexterity which enabled us to fall near two miles
+perpendicular with as little inconveniency as if we had been let down
+with a rope: for no sooner did I perceive the eagles strike against a
+frozen cloud, which is very common near the poles, than (they being
+close together) I laid myself 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 the
+desired effect, and we descended very safe on a mountain of ice, which
+I supposed to be about three miles above the level of the sea.
+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 horrors of destruction seemed to have conspired
+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, my concern for the recovery of the eagles was so
+great, that I was insensible of the danger to which I was exposed.
+Having rendered them every assistance in my power, I stood over them
+in painful anxiety, fully sensible that it was only by means of them
+that I could possibly be delivered from these abodes of despair.
+But suddenly a monstrous 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, through fear I
+squeezed it so hard, that it burst, and the liquor flying 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 attention to the eagles, whom
+I found in a fair way of recovery, and suspecting that they were faint
+for want of victuals, I took one of the beef fruit, cut it into small
+slices, and presented them with it, which they devoured with avidity.
+Having 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 everything in the best manner, I
+began to eat and drink very heartily; and through the effects of the
+mountain wine, as I called it, was very cheerful, and began to sing a
+few verses of a song which I had learned when I was a boy: but the
+noise soon alarmed the eagles, who had been asleep, through the
+quantity of liquor which they had drank, and they rose seemingly much
+terrified. Happily for me, however, when I was feeding them I had
+accidentally turned their heads towards 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
+England. I took no notice of the seas or islands over which I passed.
+The eagles descended gradually as they drew near the shore, intending,
+as I supposed, to alight on one of the Welsh mountains; but when they
+came to the distance of about sixty yards two guns were fired at them,
+loaded with balls, one of which took place in a bladder of liquor that
+hung to my waist; the other entered 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 circumstance alarmed me exceedingly, and I began to think it was
+impossible for me to escape with my life; but recovering a little, I
+once more looked down upon the earth, when, to my inexpressible joy, I
+saw Margate at a little distance, and the eagle descending on the old
+tower whence it had carried me on the morning of the day before. It no
+sooner came down than I threw myself off, happy to find that I was
+once more restored to the world. The eagle flew away in a few minutes,
+and I sat down to compose my fluttering spirits, which I did in a few
+hours.
+I soon paid a visit to my friends, and related these adventures.
+Amazement stood in every countenance; their congratulations on my
+returning in safety were repeated with an unaffected degree of
+pleasure, and we passed the evening as we are doing now, every person
+present paying the highest compliments to my COURAGE and VERACITY.
+----
+Read the [[Preface to the second volume]]
+----
+Go to [[CHAPTER XXI]]