Heads
under their Mother's Wing, as I suppos'd her. One of them, who was a
Cock not above Five Foot high, at last took Courage to peep out, and
said something to his Father; and, as I guess taking Courage from what
Answer he return'd, ventured to approach me. He walk'd round me tho'
he kept some Distance, and spoke in a threatning Tone. I answer'd in
a melancholy one, and in my own Language, That I was an unfortunate
shipwreck'd Man. The Youngster, I suppose, thinking me a harmless
Animal, ventured to strike at me, and if I had not avoided the Stroke,
I believe he had split my Skull, for his Spurrs were about Eighteen
Inches long, near Five about, and as sharp as Needles.

I saw his Father angry at this Proceeding, and he gave him a terrible
Cuff with his Wing, and sent him home. Then speaking to me, he made
Signs I should follow him; I understood, and obey'd him. After we had
pass'd a small Copse of about a Quarter of a Mile, we came into a fine
Meadow, where we saw several Hens milking Goats; they sat on their
Rumps, and were as dextrous with their two Feet, as any of our
Dairy-Maids with their Hands. They carried two Pails a-piece with a
Yoke, like our Tub-women; and indeed there are not in _Europe_ any who
exceed this Nation in Mechanicks, as far as they are useful to them. I
have seen a _Cacklogallinian_ (for so they call themselves) hover with
a Pair of Sheers in his two Feet, and cut Trees with all the Regularity
imaginable; for, in a Walk of a League long, which is very common before
the Houses of the Nobility, you won't see (not to say a Bough, but even)
a Leaf grow beyond the rest. They are the best Weavers in the Universe,
and make Cloath of stript Feathers, which they have the Art of spinning,
and which is the Staple Commodity of the Kingdom; for no Feathers are
comparable to these for this Manufacture. When I pass'd the Meadow,
every one quitted her Employment to come and stare at me; they all spoke
together so loud, and with such Volubility, that I almost fancied my
self among a Score of Gammers at a Country Christening.

This Meadow led to a Farm House which belonged to my Guide, or more
properly, Master; for I soon was made sensible, that they look'd upon me
as an irrational Beast, of a Species hitherto unknown to them. We were
no sooner within Doors, than the Family flock'd round to admire me,
asking Abundance of Questions which I did not understand. One of the
Hens brought me a Bowl of Goats Milk, whi