Rudolf Erich Raspe: Gulliver revived, London 1786 (R3)

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Peace was soon after concluded with the Turks, and gaining my liberty, left St. Petersburgh at the time of when the emperor in his cradle, his mother, the duke of Brunswick, her father, field marshal Munich, and many others were sent to Siberia. The winter was then so uncommonly severe all over Europe, that ever since the sun seems to be frost-bitten. At my return to this place, I felt on the road greater inconveniences than those I had experienced in my setting out.

I travelled post and finding myself in a narrow lane, bid the postilion give a signal with his horn, that other travellers might not meet us in the narrow passage. He blew with all his might, but all his endeavours were in vain. He could not make the horn speak, which, was as unaccountable and rather unfortunate, for soon after we found ourselves in the presence of another coach coming the other way. there was no proceeding; however, I got out of my carriage, and being pretty strong, placed it, wheels and all upon my head, I then jumped (over a hedge about over nine feed high, which, considering the weight of the coach, was rather difficult) into an field, and came out again, by another jump into the road beyond the other carriage: I then went back for the horses, and placing one upon my head and the other under my left arm, I by the fame means, that is, jumping over the hedge twice, brought them to my coach, put too, an proceeded to an Inn at the end of our stage. I should have told you that the horse under my arm was very spirited, and not above four years old; in making my second spring over the hedge, he express great dislike to that violent kind of motion, by kicking and snorting, however, I confined his hind legs, by putting them into my coat-pocket. After we arrived at the Inn my postillion and I refresh ourselves, he hung his horn on a peg near the kitchen fire. I sat on the other side. Suddenly we heard a Tereng! tereng, teng, teng! We looked round, and now found the reason why the postilion had not been able to sound his horn. His tunes were frozen up in the horn, and came out now by thawing, plain enough, and much to the credit of the driver, so that the honest fellow entertained us for some time with a variety of tunes without putting his mouth to the horn. The king of Prussiaʼs march—Over the hill and over the dale—An evening hymn, and many other favourite tunes came out and the thawing entertainment concluded, as I shall this short account of my Russian travels.

R3, S. 45-49

Some Travellers are apt to advance more than is perhaps strictly true, if any of the company entertain a doubt of my veracity, I shall only say to such unbelievers, I pity their want of faith, and must request, thy will take their leaves before I begin the second part of my adventures, which are as strictly founded in fact as those I have already related.

R3, S. 50

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