Rudolf Erich Raspe: Gulliver revived, London 1786 (R5)

Zurück zum Text Bürgers:

On the second day of our confinement in these regions of darkness, I ventured at low-water, as we called it when the ship was a-ground, to ramble with the Captain, and a few of the other officers, with lights in our hands; we met with people of all nations, to the amount of upwards of ten thousand; they were going to hold a council how to recover their liberty; some of them having lived in this animalʼs stomach several years. Just as the chairman was going to inform us of the business upon which we were assembled, this plaguy fish, becoming thirsty, drank in his usual manner: the water poured in with such impetuosity, that we were all obliged to retreat to our respective ships immediately, or run the risk of being drowned; some were obliged to swim for it, and with difficulty saved their lives. In a few hours after, we were more fortunate; we met again just after the monster had evacuated. I was chosen chairman, and proposed splicing two main-masts together; and the next time he opened his mouth, to be ready to wedge them in, so as to prevent his shutting it. It was unanimously approved. One hundred stout men were chosen upon this service. We had scarcely got our masts properly prepared, when an opportunity offered; the monster opened his mouth, when the top of the mast was placed against the roof, and the other end pierced his tongue, which effectually prevented him from shutting his mouth.

R5, S. 199-201.

Zurück zum Text Bürgers: