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ned； from the interior of Africa； by a balloon。 The balloon was placed upon the bridge； extending over the parapets on each side； with great wings or oars to assist its velocity； and under the balloon was placed pendant a kind of boat； in which were the persons to manage the steerage of the machine； and protect Wauwau。 This oracular bird； arriving in England； instantly darted through one of the windows of the great hall； and perched upon the canopy in the centre to the admiration of all present。 Her cackling appeared quite prophetic and oracular； and the first question proposed to her by the unanimous consent of the matrons and judges was； Whether or not the moon was composed of green cheese？ The solution of this question was deemed absolutely necessary before they could proceed farther on the trial。
Wauwau seemed in figure not very much differing from a swan； except that the neck was not near so long； and she stood after an admirable fashion like to Vestris。 She began cackling most sonorously； and the whole assembly agreed that it was absolutely necessary to catch her； and having her in their immediate possession； nothing more would be requisite for the termination of this litigated affair。 For this purpose the whole house rose up to catch her； and approached in tumult； the judges brandishing their pens； and shaking their big wigs； and the matrons quizzing as much as possible in every direction； which very much startled Wauwau； who； clapping her wings； instantly flew out of the hall。 The assembly began to proceed after her in order and style of precedence； together with my whole train of Gog and Magog； Sphinx； Hilaro Frosticos； Queen Mab's chariot； the bulls and crickets； &c。； preceded by bands of music； while Wauwau； descending on the earth； ran on like an ostrich before the troop； cackling all the way。 Thinking suddenly to catch this ferocious animal； the judges and matrons would suddenly quicken their pace； but the creature would as quickly outrun them； or sometimes fly away for many miles together； and then 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 bra