210 GULLIVER’S TRAVELS.

received no answer. Those who stood nearest over-
against me, seemed to be persons of distinction, as I
supposed by their habit. They conferred earnestly with
each other, looking often upon me. At length one of
them called out in a clear, polite, smooth dialect, not
unlike in sound to the Italian; and therefore I returned
an answer in that language, hoping at least that
the cadence might be more agreeable to his ears.
Although neither of us understood the other, yet my
meaning was easily DOWD) for the people saw the dis-
. tress I was in.

They made signs for me to come from the rock, and °
go towards the shore, which I accordingly did; and the
flying island being raised to a convenient height, the
verge directly over me, a chain was let down from the
lowest gallery, with a seat fastened to the bottom, to
which I fixed myself, and was drawn up by pulleys. .