The capital city stands at the end of a fine valley formed by a
mountain in the middle of the island, which is the highest in the
world. I made, by way of devotion, a pilgrimage to the place where
Adam was confined after his banishment from Paradise, and had the
curiosity to go to the top of it.
When I came back to the city, I prayed the king to allow me to
return to my country, which he granted me in the most obliging and
honourable manner. He would needs force a rich present upon me, and
when I went to take my leave of him, he gave me one much more
valuable, and at the same time charged me with a letter for the
Commander of the Faithful, our sovereign, saying to me, 'I pray you
give this present from me and this letter to Caliph Haroun
Alraschid, and assure him of my friendship.' I took the present and
letter in a very respectful manner, and promised his majesty
punctually to execute the commission with which he was pleased to
honour me. Before I embarked, this prince sent for the captain and
the merchants who were to go with me, and ordered them to treat me
with all possible respect.
The letter from the King of Serendib was written on the skin of a
certain animal of great value, because of its being so scarce, and
of a yellowish colour.
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