Gulliver's Travels (Swift)/Part 1/Chapter 8
from the Collection âGulliver's Travels. Part 1â
The division of this summary into sections is editorial.
Three days after arriving on the island of Blefuscu, Gulliver walked along its north-east coast and saw what appeared to be an overturned boat offshore.
A boat found at sea
Gulliver waded out and confirmed that it was a real boat, probably driven from a ship by a storm. He returned to the city and asked the Emperor of Blefuscu for ships and sailors to help retrieve it.
The emperor lent him twenty ships and three thousand sailors. Gulliver swam out, secured a rope to the boat and pushed it until he could stand. With the tide and wind in their favour, he and the sailors brought it close to shore. At low tide, two thousand men helped him turn it upright; it was only slightly damaged.
After making paddles, Gulliver brought the boat to the royal port. He told the emperor that it might carry him towards home and asked for materials and permission to leave. Although reluctant at first, the emperor agreed.
Lilliput demands Gulliverâs return
Gulliver had wondered why no message about him had arrived from Lilliput. He learned that its emperor, unaware that Gulliver knew of the plans against him, had expected him to return after his permitted visit. At last, concerned by his absence, the emperor sent an envoy with the charges against him.
The envoy claimed that Lilliputâs ruler had shown mercy by proposing only to blind Gulliver. Unless Gulliver returned within two hours, he would lose his title and be declared a traitor. The envoy demanded that Blefuscu send him back bound for punishment.
After three daysâ consultation, the Emperor of Blefuscu replied that binding Gulliver was impossible. Though Gulliver had taken his fleet, the emperor owed him thanks for helping bring about peace. He added that the boat was being fitted out and that both empires would soon be rid of their burdensome guest.
The emperor privately offered Gulliver protection if he stayed in his service. Gulliver believed him sincere, but declined: his experience had made him wary of trusting rulers and ministers. He explained his decision to the emperor:
I was resolved to venture myself in the ocean, rather than be an occasion of difference between two such mighty monarchs.
The emperor accepted the decision, and Gulliver discovered that he and most of his ministers were glad to see him go.
Preparations and departure
The court helped Gulliver prepare. Five hundred workers made sails from layers of linen; he twisted local ropes together, found a stone for an anchor and made oars and masts with help from ship-carpenters. After about a month, the emperor and his family came to bid him farewell. The emperor gave him money and a portrait.
Gulliver loaded provisions and took tiny cattle and sheep alive, hoping to breed them in England. He also wanted to take some inhabitants, but the emperor searched his pockets and made him promise not to carry any away, even with their consent.
He sailed on 24 September 1701, spent a night beside an apparently uninhabited island and continued east, guided by his compass. On 26 September he sighted a ship. It eventually saw him, raised its flag and fired a gun. Seeing its English colours, he was overjoyed at the prospect of reaching home.
Rescue and return to England
The vessel was an English merchant ship returning from Japan, commanded by John Biddel of Deptford. An old acquaintance aboard vouched for Gulliver.
At first Biddel thought Gulliverâs account was madness. Gulliver convinced him by taking the tiny animals from his pockets and showing him the emperorâs gold, portrait and other curiosities. He gave the captain two purses and promised him a cow and a pregnant sheep in England.
The voyage was largely prosperous, and they reached the Downs on 13 April 1702. Rats killed one sheep, but the other animals survived on powdered biscuit supplied by Biddel. In England Gulliver profited by displaying them and later sold them for six hundred pounds. Their breed multiplied, especially the sheep, whose fine fleeces he hoped would benefit the woollen industry.
Another voyage after a brief reunion
Gulliver remained with his wife and children for only two months before his desire to travel drew him away again. He left his wife money and a good house at Redriff; income from property would also help support the family. His son Johnny was at school, and his daughter Betty was learning needlework.
After a tearful farewell, Gulliver boarded the merchant ship Adventure, bound for Surat under Captain John Nicholas. He deferred the account of that voyage to the second part of his travels.