went to receive my last Instructions from his Excellency. He gave me a
Paper, with Orders not to open it, till I was arrived at the Mountain,
which was about a Thousand Miles from the City. He having wish'd me a
good Journey, said he had given Orders to six lusty _Cacklogallimans_ to
obey those I should give them; that he depended on my Fidelity and
Prudence, and therefore, as I would find, had reposed a great Trust in
me. I made him a suitable Answer, and retired to my Apartment in the
Palace, where I found the Projector, who told me we were to set out the
next Morning before Day. I asked him, in Case we succeeded in our
Journey, and found the Riches we coveted, how we should bring away any
Quantity?

"If, _said he_, that happens, we shall, in a second Journey, be
provided with Vehicles, if there is Occasion; but I propose to
extract such a Quantity of the Soul of Gold, which I can infuse into
Lead at our Return, that we may be rich enough to pave the Streets
with that valuable Metal; for a Grain will, infused into Lead, make
an Ounce of pure Gold. Now, if a Penny-weight of the Soul will make
Twenty four Ounces, or Two Pound of Gold, consider what immense
Treasure we may bring back with us, since the _Palanquineers_ can
fly with Five Hundred Weight in a _Palanquin_."

The next Morning we set forward at about Three o' Clock, and reach'd the
Mountain in about Forty six Hours. We first refresh'd our selves, and
when I was alone, I open'd my Instructions, which ran thus:

As Experience proves you are not to be led by chimerical Notions,
and that your Capacity and Fidelity render you fit to undertake the
most difficult and secret Affairs, his Imperial Majesty thought none
so fit as yourself to be entrusted in the Management of the present
Scheme; which that you may do to his Majesty's Satisfaction, and
your own Interest and Credit, you are to observe the following
Instructions.

"You are to order _Volatilio_, the first Proposer of the Journey now
undertaken, to go to the Top of the Hill a Day before you, and from
thence to acquaint you with the Nature of the Air; and if you find
it practicable, you are to follow him. If you gain the Summit, and
that the Air is too thin for Respiration, you are to descend again,
dispatch an Express to his Majesty, and clap _Volatilio_ in Irons,
then dispatch away one of the six Messengers whom I ordered to
attend you: They, _Volatilio_, and