 times to them, as if he would signify, that I should
reduce them to their former Shape, which I presently did, pulling off both my
Gloves, and putting them into my Pocket. This occasioned farther Talk, and I saw
the Company was pleased with my Behaviour, whereof I soon found the good
Effects. I was ordered to speak the few Words I understood; and while they were
at Dinner, the Master taught me the Names for Oats, Milk, Fire, Water, and some
others; which I could readily pronounce after him; having from my Youth a great
Facility in learning Languages.
    When Dinner was done, the Master Horse took me aside, and by Signs and Words
made me understand the Concern he was in, that I had nothing to eat. Oats in
their Tongue are called Hlunnh. This Word I pronounced two or three times; for
although I had refused them at first, yet upon second Thoughts, I considered
that I could contrive to make of them a Kind of Bread, which might be sufficient
with Milk to keep me alive, till I could make my Escape to some other Country,
and to Creatures of my own Species. The Horse immediately ordered a white
Mare-servant of his Family to bring me a good Quantity of Oats in a Sort of
wooden Tray. These I heated before the Fire as well as I could, and rubbed them
till the Husks came off, which I made a shift to winnow from the Grain; I ground
and beat them between two Stones, then took Water, and made them into a Paste or
Cake, which I toasted at the Fire, and eat warm with Milk. It was at first a
very insipid Diet, although common enough in many Parts of Europe, but grew
tolerable by Time; and having been often reduced to hard Fare in my Life, this
was not the first Experiment I had made how easily Nature is satisfied. And I
cannot but observe, that I never had one Hour's Sickness, while I staid in this
Island. It is true, I sometimes made a shift to catch a Rabbet, or Bird, by
Springes made of Yahoos Hairs; and I often gathered wholesome Herbs, which I
boiled, or eat as Salades with my Bread; and now and then, for a Rarity, I made
a little Butter, and drank the Whey. I was at first at a great Loss for Salt;
but Custom soon reconciled the Want of it; and I am confident that the frequent
Use of Salt among us is an Effect of Luxury, and was first introduced
