The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide . I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel , and they told me that in the middle , at high water , it was seventy glumguffs -LRB- about six feet of European measure -RRB- . I walked toward the coast , where , lying down behind a hillock , I took out my spy-glass , and viewed the enemy 's fleet at anchor -- about fifty men-of-war , and other vessels . I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron . The cable was about as thick as packthread , and the bars of the length and size of a knitting-needle . I trebled the cable to make it stronger , and for the same reason twisted three of the iron bars together , bending the ends into a hook . Having thus fixed fifty hooks to as many cables , I went back to the coast , and taking off my coat , shoes , and stockings , walked into the sea in my leather jacket about half an hour before high water . I waded with what haste I could , swimming in the middle about thirty yards , till I felt ground , and thus arrived at the fleet in less than half an hour . The enemy was so frightened when they saw me that they leaped out of their ships and swam ashore , where there could not be fewer than thirty thousand . Then , fastening a hook to the hole at the prow of each ship , I tied all the cords together at the end . Meanwhile the enemy discharged several thousand arrows , many of which stuck in my hands and face . My greatest fear was for my eyes , which I should have lost if I had not suddenly thought of the pair of spectacles which had escaped the Emperor 's searchers . These I took out and fastened upon my nose , and thus armed went on with my work in spite of the arrows , many of which struck against the glasses of my spectacles , but without any other effect than slightly disturbing them . Then , taking the knot in my hand , I began to pull ; but not a ship would stir , for they were too fast held by their anchors . Thus the boldest part of my enterprise remained . Letting go the cord , I resolutely cut with my knife the cables that fastened the anchors , receiving more than two hundred shots in my face and hands . Then I took up again the knotted end of the cables to which my hooks were tied , and with great ease drew fifty of the enemy 's largest men-of-war after me . When the Blefuscudians saw the fleet moving in order , and me pulling at the end , they set up a scream of grief and despair that it is impossible to describe . When I had got out of danger I stopped awhile to pick out the arrows that stuck in my hands and face , and rubbed on some of the same ointment that was given me at my arrival . I then took off my spectacles , and after waiting about an hour , till the tide was a little fallen , I waded on to the royal port of Lilliput .
The XXXXX and his whole Court stood on the shore awaiting me .
Blefuscudians Emperor European Lilliput glumguffs hillock hour knitting-needle packthread spy-glass