en alight to take breath until we came within sight of her again。 Our train journeyed over a most prodigious tract of country in a direct line； over hills and dales； to the summit of Plinlimmon； where we thought to have seized Wauwau； but she instantly took flight； and never ceased until she arrived at the mouth of the Potomac river in Virginia。
Our company immediately embarked in the machines before described； in which we had journeyed into Africa； and after a few days' sail arrived in North America。 We met with nothing curious on our voyage； except a floating island； containing some very delightful villages； inhabited by a few whites and negroes； the sugar cane did not thrive there well； on account； as I was informed； of the variety of the climates； the island being sometimes driven up as far as the north pole； and at other times wafted under the equinoctial。 In pity to the poor islanders； I got a huge stake of iron； and driving it through the centre of the island； fastened it to the rocks and mud at the bottom of the sea； since which time the island has become stationary； and is well known at present by the name of St。 Christopher's； and there is not an island in the world more secure。
Arriving in North America； we were received by the President of the United States with every honour and politeness。 He was pleased to give us all the information possible relative to the woods and immense regions of America； and ordered troops of the different tribes of the Esquimaux to guide us through the forests in pursuit of Wauwau； who； we at length found； had taken refuge in the centre of a morass。 The inhabitants of the country； who loved hunting； were much delighted to behold the manner in which we attempted to seize upon Wauwau； the chase was noble and uncommon。 I determined to surround the animal on every side； and for this purpose ordered the judges and matrons to surround the morass with nets extending a mile in height； on various parts of which net the company disposed themselves； floating in the air like so many spiders upon their cobwebs。 Magog； at my command； put on a kind of armour that he had carried with him for the purpose； corselet of steel； with gauntlets； helmet； &c。； so as nearly to resemble a mole。 He instantly plunged into the earth； making way with his sharp steel head…piece； and tearing up the ground with his iron claws； and found not much difficulty therein； as morass in general is of a soft and yielding texture。 Thus he hoped to undermine Wauwau； and suddenly rising； seize her by the foot； while his brother Gog ascended the air in a balloon； hoping to catch her if she could escape Magog。 Thus the animal was surrounded on every side； and at first was very much terrified； knowing not which way she had best to go。 At length hearing an obscure noise under ground； Wauwau took flight before Magog could have time to catch her by the foot。 She flew to the right； then to the left； north； east； west； and south； but found on every side the company prepared upon their nets。 At length she flew right up； soaring at a most astonishing rate towards the sun； while the company on every side set up one general acclamation。 But Gog in his balloon soon stopped Wauwau in the midst of her career； and snared her in a net； the cords of which he continued to hold in his hand。 Wauwau did not totally lose her presence of mind； but after a little consideration； made several violent darts against the volume of the balloon； so fierce； as at length to tear open a great space； on which the inflammable air rushing out； the whole apparatus began to tumble to the earth with amazing rapidity。 Gog himself was thrown out of the vehicle； and letting go the reins of the net； Wauwau got liberty again； and flew out of sight in an instant。
Gog had been above a mile elevated from the earth when he began to fall； and as he advanced the rapidity increased； so that he went like a ball from a cannon into the morass； and his nose striking against one of the iron…capped hands of his brother Magog； just then rising from the depths； he began to bleed violently； and； but for the softness of the morass； would have lost his life。
CHAPTER XXXII
/The Baron harangues the company； and they continue the pursuit The Baron； wandering from his retinue； is taken by the savages； scalped； and tied to a stake to be roasted； but he contrives to extricate himself； and kills the savagesThe Baron travels overland through the forests of North America； to the confines of RussiaArrives at the castle of the Nareskin Rowskimowmowsky； and gallops into the kingdom of LoggerheadsA battle； in which the Baron fights the Nareskin in single combat； and generously gives him his lifeArrives at the Friendly Islands； and discourses with OmaiThe Baron； with all his attendants； goes from Otaheite to the isthmus of Darien； and having cut a canal across the isthmus； returns to England。/
〃My friends； and very learned and profound Judiciarii；〃 said I； 〃be not disheartened that Wauwau has escaped from you at present： persevere； and we shall yet succeed。 You should never despair； Munchausen being your general； and therefore be brave； be courageous； and fortune shall second your endeavours。 Let us advance undaunted in pursuit； and follow the fierce Wauwau even three times round the globe； until we entrap her。〃
My words filled them with confidence and valour； and they unanimously agreed to continue the chase。 We penetrated the frightful deserts and gloomy woods of America； beyond the source of the Ohio； through countries utterly unknown before。 I frequently took the diversion of shooting in the woods； and one day that I happened with three attendants to wander far from our troop； we were suddenly set upon by a number of savages。 As we had expended our powder and shot； and happened to have no side…arms； it was in vain to make any resistance against hundreds of enemies。 In short； they bound us； and made us walk before them to a gloomy cavern in a rock； where they feasted upon what game they had killed； but which not being sufficient； they took my three unfortunate companions and myself； and scalped us。 The pain of losing the flesh from my head was most horrible； it made me leap in agonies； and roar like a bull。 They then tied us to stakes； and making great fires around us； began to dance in a circle； singing with much distortion and barbarity； and at times putting the palms of their hands to their mouths； set up the war…whoop。 As they had on that day also made a great prize of some wine and spirits belonging to our troop； these barbarians； finding it delicious； and unconscious of its intoxicating quality； began to drink it in profusion； while they beheld us roasting； and in a very short time they were all completely drunk； and fell asleep around the fires。 Perceiving some hopes； I used most astonishing efforts to extricate myself from the cords which I was tied； and at length succeeded。 I immediately unbound my companions； and though half roasted； they still had power enough to walk。 We sought about for the flesh that had been taken off our heads； and having found the scalps； we immediately adapted them to our bloody heads； sticking them on with a kind of glue of a sovereign quality； that flows from a tree in that country； and the parts united and healed in a few hours。 We took care to revenge ourselves on the savages； and with their own hatchets put every one of them to death。 We then returned to our troop； who had given us up for lost； and they made great rejoicings on our return。 We now proceeded in our journey through this prodigious wilderness； Gog and Magog acting as pioneers； hewing down the trees； &c。； at a great rate as we advanced。 We passed over numberless swamps and lakes and rivers； until at length we discovered a habitation at some distance。 It appeared a dark and gloomy castle； surrounded with strong ramparts； and a broad ditch。 We called a council of war； and it was determined to send a deputation with a trumpet to the walls of the castle； and demand friendship from the governor； whoever he might be； and an account if aught he knew of Wauwau。 For this purpose our whole caravan halted in the wood； and Gog and Magog reclined amongst the trees； that their enormous strength and size should not be discovered； and give umbrage to the lord of the castle。 Our embassy approached the castle； and having demanded admittance for some time； at length the drawbridge was let down； and they were suffered to enter。 As soon as they had passed the gate it was immediately closed after them； and on either side they perceived ranks of halberdiers； who made them tremble with fear。 〃We come；〃 the herald proclaimed； 〃on the part of Hilaro Frosticos； Don Quixote； Lord Whittington； and the thrice…renowned Baron Munchausen； to claim friendship from the governor of this puissant castle； and to seek Wauwau。〃 〃The most noble the governor；〃 replied the officer； 〃is at all times happy to entertain such travellers as pass through these immense deserts； and will esteem it an honour that the great Hilaro Frosticos； Don Quixote； Lord Whittington； and the thrice…renowned Baron Munchausen； enter his castle walls。〃
In short； we entered the castle。 The governor sat with