n the air, with lightning speed,
The keel shrieked through the foaming billows.

The wind was fair for some days, during which we poor rowers had a
comfortable time, for the oars were not needed; but on the fourth day it
fell calm;

The sails did fall: in haste the seats were fixed;
With plashing stroke, the oars smote heaven in the waters.

For a long time we met with nothing; but as soon as we lost sight of
land, strange figures raised themselves from the quaking gulph. They
were mermaids, who, when the weather becomes calm and the billows rest
themselves, rise to the surface and swim towards any passing ship, to
ask for alms. Their language was so similar to the Martinianic, that
some of our sailors could speak with them without an interpreter. One of
these singular creatures demanded of me a piece of meat; when I gave it
to her, she looked at me steadily for a time, and said: you will soon
become a hero, and rule over mighty nations! I laughed at this
divination, for I considered it empty flattery, although the sailors
swore to it, that the mermaids' prediction seldom failed. At the end of
eight days we came in sight of land; which the seamen called
Picardania. As we entered the harbor, a magpie came flying towards us,
which, they said, was the custom-house inspector-general. When this
dignitary had flown thrice around the ship, he returned to the shore and
came back with three other magpies: these seated themselves on the prow
of the ship. I came very near bursting with laughter, when I saw one of
our interpreters approach these magpies, with many compliments, and
heard him hold a long conversation with them. They had come for the
purpose of examining our freight and detecting any forbidden articles
that we might have concealed; when all was found correct, we were
suffered to unload. As soon as this was done, a number of magpies flew
to the ship, who proved to be merchants. The captain then went ashore,
accompanied by myself and two monkeys, namely, our supercargo and an
interpreter; after clearing the ship and disposing of the cargo, we
returned, and shortly set sail.

In three days we reached Music-land. After casting anchor, we went on
shore, preceded by one of the interpreters, who carried a bass-viol in
his hand. As we found the whole country about us empty and desolate,
discovering no where any trace of living creatures, the captain ordered
a trumpet to be sounded, to inform the inhabitants of