equall portions. After this are presented other vestures for the ornament
of the Mosquita. Also the people without deliuer vnto the eunuchs ech man
somewhat to touch the tombe therewith, which they keepe as a relique with
great deuotion. This ceremony being ended, the captaine resteth in Medina
two dayes, to the end the pilgrims may finish their deuotion and
ceremonies: and after they depart to Iambor. A good dayes iourney thence is
a steepe mountaine, ouer which is no passage, sauing by one narrow path
called Demir Capi, which was in times past called the yron gate. Of this
gate the Mahumetans say, that Ally the companion and sonne in law of
Mahumet, being here pursued by many Christians, and comming vnto this
mountaine, not seeing any way whereby to flee, drew out his sword, and
striking the said mountaine, diuided it in sunder, and passing thorow saued
his life on the other side. Moreouer, this Alli among the Persians is had
in greater reuerence than Mahumet, who affirme, that the sayd Alli hath
done greater things and more miraculous than Mahumet, and therefore they
esteeme him for God almighty his fellow. But to returne to our matter, the
captaine with the carouan within two dayes after returneth for Cairo, and
comming to Ezlem, findeth there a captaine with threescore horses come
thither to bring refreshments to the said captaine of the pilgrimage, as
also to sell vnto the pilgrims some victuals. From thence they set forward,
and comming to Birca within two leagues of Cairo, there is the master of
the house of the Bassha of Cairo with all his horsemen come thither to
receiue him with a sumptuous and costly banket made at the cost of the
Basha for the captaine and his retinue, who after he is well refreshed
departeth toward the castle of Cairo to salute the Basha, who receiuing him
with great ioy and gladnesse in token of good wil presenteth him with a
garment of cloth of golde very rich: and the captaine taking the Alcaron
out of the chest presenteth it to the Basha, who hauing kissed it,
commandeth to lay it vp againe. Some there are which affirme, that being
arriued at Cairo, they kill that goodly camell which caried the Alcaron,
and eate him; which is nothing so: for they are so superstitious to the
contrary, that to gaine all the world they would not kill him. But if by
casuality he should die, in this case happy and blessed they thinke
themselues, which can get a morsell to eat. And thus much concerning the
voya