A Thorough Search

Chapter-4

One day, the king asked me not to mind a search of my pockets by his officers. He promised to return my belongings when I left their country. I agreed to do as he pleased. The search was ordered. Two search officers were asked to go into my pockets and make a list of whatever they found inside. I took them in my hands and put them into my pockets one by one. They carried their pens, paper and ink along with them. They searched all my pockets except one private pocket which escaped their notice. I too did not want to show it to them. When they completed their work, they asked me to put them down on the ground. They handed over the list to his Majesty. Afterwards, I translated this list into English. I reproduce it here for the understanding of my readers:
“Your Majesty, in the right coat-pocket of the Man- Mountain, we found only one great piece of coarse cloth. It was large enough to be a carpet for Your Majesty’s main assembly hall. In the left pocket, there was a kind of engine with twenty long poles at the back, with which we guess the Man Mountain combs his hair.”
“On the right side of his middle cover (they meant my pants), we saw a hollow pillar of iron, about the length of a man. It was tied to a strong piece of wood, larger than the pillar. There were huge pieces of iron, cut into strange shapes on one side of the pillar. We could not understand its purpose. There were many round and flat pieces of white and red metal in the smaller pockets on the same side. The pieces were so heavy that it was difficult for both of us to lift them. Two pillars of irregular shapes were found in the left pocket. We could not reach the top of these pillars as we were at the bottom of his pocket. One of them was covered. In both the pillars, there was a strange plate of steel, which he showed to us when we ordered him because we thought they might be dangerous engines. He told us that he used to shave with one and cut meat with the other.”
“We saw a great silver chain hanging from one of his small pockets which we could not enter. There was a wonderful engine at the bottom of this chain. We ordered him to show the whole of it. It looked like a globe—half silver and half made of some transparent metal. On the transparent side, we saw some strange figures. He put this engine to our ears. It made a great noise. We think it is either some unknown animal or the god he worships. We agree more on the latter opinion because he told us that he consulted it before doing anything. He said that it pointed out the time for every action of his life.”
“We saw a girdle about his waist made of the skin of some strange animal. On the left side of this girdle, we saw a sword hanging whose length must be equal to the length of five men. On the right side of the girdle, we found a pouch divided into two cells. In one of these cells were many globes or balls made of some metal. The other cell contained a heap of black grains, not at all heavy.”
The king ordered me to hand over all the things. He first asked for my sword which I took out. Although it had got some rust because of sea water yet most of it was still very bright. I waved it to and fro in my hand. The reflection of the sun dazzled their eyes and there was a shout of terror and surprise all around. The king was less afraid than I expected. He asked me to put it down on the ground. Then he demanded the hollow iron pillar which meant my pocket-pistol. I took it out and asked His Majesty’s permission to demonstrate its use to which he agreed. I filled it with gun-powder from my pouch and let it off in the air. Hundreds of his men fell down as if they had been struck dead. Even the king, although he kept standing, could not recover from the shock for some time. I placed the pistol also on the ground. I also handed over my pouch of bullets and gun-powder but warned the king to keep the powder away from fire. With a small spark it could blow up his whole palace into the air. I also gave him my watch. He was extremely curious to see it. He was amazed at the continuous noise it made. He asked the opinion of his learned men about this engine. I could feel that they were divided in their opinions. I, then, placed my gold coins, comb, handkerchief, razor and knife on the ground. The king returned everything to me except the sword, pistol and punch. His Majesty’s men carried these three things in carts to the stores.
I had one private pocket which escaped their search. This contained my spectacles. I did not want that they should be spoiled or lost because they were very important to me as I had weak eyes.
My kindness and fine behaviour had made me quite popular in Lilliput. I had earned a good reputation in the minds of the king, the queen, the members of the court, the army as well as the general public.

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