Suddenly I saw Laputa before me, and hurled myself madly at his chest.

Some one gave me a clout on the head, and my senses fled.
When I came to myself, I was lying on a heap of mealie-stalks in a dark room.

I had a desperate headache, and a horrid nausea, which made me fall back as soon as I tried to raise myself.

A voice came out of the darkness as I stirred--a voice speaking English.
'Are you awake, Mr Storekeeper ?' The voice was Laputa's, but I could not see him.

The room was pitch dark, except for a long ray of sunlight on the floor.
'I'm awake,' I said.