While I was speaking, a Man on Horseback ran full speed upon me with a drawn Sabre, to cleave me down; but the _Selenite_ waving his Hand, he soon vanish'd.
"You need, _said he_, apprehend nothing from these Shades; they are the Souls of the Inhabitants of your World, which being loos'd from the Body by Sleep, resort here, and for the short Space allotted them, indulge the Passions which predominate, or undergo the Misfortunes they fear while they are in your Globe. Look ye, _said he_, yonder is a Wretch going to the Gallows, and his Soul feels the same Agony, as if it was a real Sentence to be executed on him. Our Charity obliges us, when we see those imaginary Ills, to drive the Soul back to its Body, which we do, by waving our Hand in the Air, and the agonizing Dreamer wakes. We do also retain them by a Virtue peculiar to the _Selenites_, and as they sometimes administer a great deal of Diversion, we do it for our Entertainment, which is the Reason of those long Naps of two or three Days, nay, of as many Weeks, which cause the Wonder of your World. The Souls of your impure Dreamers never reach beyond the middle Region. But we delay too long inviting you to our Habitations, where you shall have all possible Care taken of you. But by what Art have you taught Fowls articulate Sounds? and where could you possibly find them of that Size?"
I told him they were rational Beings, but that the Story was now too long to tell him; he presented me to the rest of the Company, and, at my Request, the _Cacklogallinians_ were humanly treated, whom otherwise they had look'd upon as overgrown dunghill Fowls. _Volatilio_ did not appear much surpriz'd at this, who had once esteem'd me a Prodigy of Nature. As we walk'd to the House, one of the _Selenites_ address'd me in the _Spanish_ Language, with the known Affiability and Gravity of that Nation.
"Sir, _said he_, I cannot consider you as other, than the bravest and wisest of all Mortals, who could find the Way to reach our World, and had the Courage to undertake the Journey; for it's certain, none cloath'd in Flesh ever (before you) made so bold an Attempt, or at least succeeded in it: Tho' I have read the Chimera's of _Dominick Gonzales_. While you stay amongst us, you may depend upon our treating you with all the Respect answerable to so great Merit, and in every thing endeavour, as far as the Power we have will permit, that the Design of your Journey may not be frustrated, which I am apt to believe, is no other than to extend your Knowledge."