I departed with the ambassador, but with no great retinue,
because of the length and difficulty of the journey.
When we had travelled about a month, we discovered at a distance a
great cloud of dust, and under that we very soon saw fifty
horsemen, well armed, that were robbers, coming towards us at full
gallop.
As we had ten horses laden with baggage and presents that I was to
carry to the Indian sultan from the king my father, and my retinue
was but small, these robbers came boldly up to us. Not being in a
position to make any resistance, we told them that we were
ambassadors belonging to the Sultan of the Indies, and hoped they
would attempt nothing contrary to that respect which is due to him,
thinking by this means to save our equipage and our lives.
But the robbers most insolently replied, 'For what reason would you
have us show any respect to the sultan your master? We are none of
his subjects, nor are we upon his territories.'
Having spoken thus, they surrounded and fell upon us. I defended
myself as long as I could, but finding myself wounded, and seeing
the ambassador with his servants and mine lying on the ground, I
made use of what strength was yet remaining in my horse, who was
also very much wounded, separated myself from the crowd, and rode
away as fast as he could carry me; but he happened all of a sudden
to give way under me, through weariness and loss of blood, and fell
down dead.
Pages:
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281