[16] The "chariot of fire" in which Elijah was taken up into heaven. _Cf_. 2 Kings, ii. 11. [17] The following pages are translated from the text as printed for the first time, from the Manuscript at the _Bibliothèque Nationale_, in an appendix to M. Brun's thesis on Cyrano Bergerac, 1893. [18] "The serpent," as soon appears, is original sin, which "Brought _death_ into the world, and all our woe." [19] Our author's treatment of "original sin" is, according to M. Brun, unprintable. [20] Here the original text resumes, as found in all the editions, both French and English. CHAPTER VII. _Being cast out from that Country, of the new_ _Adventures which Befell him; and of the_ Demon _of_ Socrates. At length I resolved to march forwards, till Fortune should afford me the company of some Beasts, or at least the means of Dying. She favourably granted my desire; for within half a quarter of a League, I met two huge Animals, one of which stopt before me, and the other fled swiftly to its Den; for so I thought at least; because that some time after, I perceived it come back again in company of above Seven or Eight hundred of the same kind, who beset me. When I could discern them at a near distance, I perceived that they were proportioned and shaped like us. This adventure brought into my mind the old Wives Tales of my Nurse concerning _Syrenes, Faunes_ and _Satyrs_: Ever now and then they raised such furious Shouts, occasioned undoubtedly by their Admiration[1] at the sight of me, that I thought I was e'en turned a Monster. At length one of these Beast-like men, catching hold of me by the Neck, just as Wolves do when they carry away Sheep, tossed me upon his back and brought me into their Town; where I was more amazed than before, when I knew they were Men, that I could meet with none of them but who marched upon all four. When these People saw that I was so little, (for most of them are Twelve Cubits long,) and that I walked only upon Two Legs, they could not believe me to be a Man: For they were of opinion, that Nature having given to men as well as Beasts Two Legs and Two Arms, they should both make use of them alike. And, indeed, reflecting upon that since, that scituation of Body did not seem to me altogether extravagant; when I called to mind, that whilst Children are still under the nurture of Nature, they go upon all four, and that they rise not on their two Legs but by the care of their Nurses; who set them in little running Chairs, and fasten straps to them, to hinder them from falling on all four, as the only posture that the shape of our Body naturally inclines to rest in.