In a word,
there was not a person more in favour with him than myself; and, in
consequence, every man in court and city sought to oblige me, so
that in a very little time I was looked upon rather as a native
than a stranger.
I observed one thing which to me appeared very extraordinary. All
the people, the king himself not excepted, rode their horses
without bridle or stirrups. This made me one day take the liberty
to ask the king how that came to pass. His majesty answered, that I
talked to him of things which nobody knew the use of in his
dominions. I went immediately to a workman, and gave him a model
for making the stock of a saddle. When that was done, I covered it
myself with velvet and leather, and embroidered it with gold. I
afterwards went to a locksmith, who made me a bridle according to
the pattern I showed him, and then he made me also some stirrups.
When I had all things completed, I presented them to the king, and
put them upon one of his horses. His majesty mounted immediately,
and was so pleased with them, that he testified his satisfaction by
large presents to me. I could not avoid making several others for
his ministers and the principal officers of his household, who all
of them made me presents that enriched me in a little time.
Pages:
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345