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 Emperor and his whole Court stood on the shore awaiting me . They saw the ships move forward in a large half-moon , but could not discern me , who , in the middle of the channel , was under water up to my neck . The Emperor concluded that I was drowned , and that the enemy 's fleet was approaching in a hostile manner . But he was soon set at ease , for , the channel growing shallower every step I made , I came in a short time within hearing , and holding up the end of the cable by which the fleet was fastened , I cried in a loud voice : `` Long live the most puissant Emperor of Lilliput ! '' The Prince received me at my landing with all possible joy , and made me a Nardal on the spot , which is the highest title of honor among them . His Majesty desired that I would take some opportunity to bring all the rest of his enemy 's ships into his ports , and seemed to think of nothing less than conquering the whole Empire of Blefuscu , and becoming the sole monarch of the world .
But I plainly protested that I would never be the means of bringing a free and brave people into slavery ; and though the wisest of the Ministers were XXXXX my opinion , my open refusal was so opposed to his Majesty 's ambition that he could never forgive me .
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