228 The Third Voyage of

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upon one of our companions; after which -he slept, and snored
till day, and then went out and left. us as formerly. Our:condition
was so very terrible that several of my comrades designed to throw
themselves into the sea, rather than die so. strange a death.
Those who were of this mind argued with the rest to follow their
example; upon which one of the company answered that we were
forbidden , to: destroy ourselves; but even if it were lawful, it was
more reasonable to think of a way to.rid ourselves of the Becoareus
tyrant who designed so cruel a death for us.

Having thought of a project for that end, I communicated the
same to my comrades, who approved it. ‘Brethren,’ said I, ‘you know
there is a great deal of timber floating upon the coast; if you will
be adviséd by me, let us make séveral rafts that may carry us,
and when they are done, leave them there till. we think fit to
make use of them. In the meantime we will execute the design
to deliver ourselves from the giant, and if it succeed, we may stay .
here with patience till some ship pass by to carry us out of this
fatal island; but if it happen to miscarry, we will epecdily, get to
our rafts, and put to sea. I confess, that by exposing ourselves
-to the: fury of thé waves, we run a risk of ‘losing our lives ; but if
we do, is it not better to be buried in the sea. than in the entrails
of this‘ monster, who has. already..devoured two of us?’ My
advice was relished, and we made fe capable : ‘of carrying three
‘persons each.

“We returned to the palace towards. evening, and He. ‘giant
.arrived a little while after. We were forced to see another of our
‘comrades, roasted, But at last we. revenged ourselves . on: the
brutish giant thus. After he had’ made an end of.his cursed
supper, he lay down on his back, and fell asleep. -As soon as we
‘heard him snore, according to: his custom, nine ‘of. the boldest
‘among’ us, and myself, took each of us a spit, and putting the points
_of them into the fire till they were burning hot, we thrust them