the cee Son | | . OF Hoo

in its purity. But one thing which I was fond of pa succeeded in to
a special degree was to form the characters of our written language,
wherein I surpassed all the writing masters of our kingdom that had
acquired the greatest reputation.

Fame did me more honour than I deserved, for she not only
spread the renown of my talents through all the dominions of the
king my father, but carried it as far as the Indian court, whose
potent monarch, desirous to see me, sent an ambassador with rich
presents to demand me of my father, who was extremely glad
‘of this embassy for several reasons; he was persuaded that nothing
could be more commendable in a prince of my age than to travel
and visit foreign courts, and he was very glad to gain the friendship
of the Indian sultan. 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 Jaden. with cence and presents that
I was to. catry 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 equipaee
and our lives. Ices

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