the toppe of the mountaine, I found siluer there
like the scales of fishes in great abundance: and I gathered some part
thereof into my bosome to shew for a wonder, but my conscience rebuking me,
I cast it vpon the earth, reseruing no whit at all vnto my selfe, and so,
by Gods grace I departed without danger. And when the men of the countrey
knew that I was returned out of the valley aliue, they reuerenced me much,
saying that I was baptised and holy, and that the foresayd bodies were men
subiect vnto the deuils infernall, who vsed to play vpon citherns, to the
end they might allure people to enter, and so murther them. Thus much
concerning those things which I beheld most certainely with mine eyes, I
frier Odoricus haue heere written: many strange things also I haue of
purpose omitted, because men will not beleeue them vnlesse they should see
them.

Of the honour and reuerence done vnto the great Can.

I will report one thing more, which I saw, concerning the great Can. It is
an vsuall custome in those parts, that when the forsayd Can traueileth
thorow any countrey, his subiects kindle fires before their doores, casting
spices thereinto to make a perfume, that their lord passing by may smell
the sweet and delectable odours thereof, and much people come forth to meet
him. And vpon a certaine time when he was cumming towardes Cambaleth, the
fame of his approch being published, a bishop of ours with certaine of our
minorite friers and my selfe went two dayes iourney to meet him: and being
come nigh vnto him, we put a crosse vpon wood, I my selfe hauing a censer
in my hand, and began to sing with a loud voice: Veni creator spiritus. And
as we were singing on this wise, he caused vs to be called, commanding vs
to come vnto him: notwithstanding (as it is aboue mentioned) that no man
dare approach within a stones cast of his chariot, vnlesse he be called,
but such onely as keepe his chariot. And when we came neere vnto him, he
vailed his hat or bonet being of an inestimable price, doing reuerance vnto
the crosse. And immediatly I put incense into the censer, and our bishop
taking the censer perfumed him, and gaue him his benediction. Moreouer,
they that come before the sayd Can do alwayes bring some oblation to
present vnto him, obseruing the antient law: Thou shall not appeare in my
presence with an empty hand. And for that cause we carried apples with vs,
and offered them in a platter with reuerence vnto him: and taking ou