ein with a kind of cement or
paste, so that the skull seemed to be a part of the foot and hoof of the
animal. With these skull-shoes the creatures could perform astonishing
journeys, and slide upon the water, or upon the ocean, with great
velocity. The harnesses were fastened with golden buckles, and decked
with studs in a superb style, and the creatures were ridden by nine
postillions, crickets of a great size, as large as monkeys, who sat
squat upon the heads of the bulls, and were continually chirping at a
most infernal rate, loud in proportion to their bodies.

The wheels of the chariot consisted of upwards of ten thousand springs,
formed so as to give the greater impetuosity to the vehicle, and were
more complex than a dozen clocks like that of Strasburgh. The external
of the chariot was adorned with banners, and a superb festoon of laurel
that formerly shaded me on horseback. And now, having given you a very
concise description of my machine for travelling into Africa, which you
must allow to be far superior to the apparatus of Monsieur Vaillant, I
shall proceed to relate the exploits of my voyage.

CHAPTER XXIII

_The Baron proceeds on his voyage--Convoys a squadron to Gibraltar
--Declines the acceptance of the island of Candia--His chariot
damaged by Pompey's Pillar and Cleopatra's Needle--The Baron out-does
Alexander--Breaks his chariot, and splits a great rock at the Cape of
Good Hope._

Taking the reins in my hand, while the music gave a general salute, I
cracked my whip, away they went, and in three hours I found myself just
between the Isle of Wight and the main land of England. Here I remained
four days, until I had received part of my accompaniment, which I was
ordered to take under my convoy. 'Twas a squadron of men-of-war that had
been a long time prepared for the Baltic, but which were now destined
for the Mediterranean. By the assistance of large hooks and eyes,
exactly such as are worn in our hats, but of a greater size, some
hundredweight each, the men-of-war hooked themselves on to the wheels of
the vehicle: and, in fact, nothing could be more simple or convenient,
because they could be hooked or unhooked in an instant with the utmost
facility. In short, having given a general discharge of their artillery,
and three cheers, I cracked my whip, away we went, helter skelter,
and in six jiffies I found myself and all my retinue safe and in good
spirits just at the rock of Gibraltar. Here I unho