versed by the caravan, except that it must have skirted the shore of
the Black Sea; for I find mention of three great canals, which must
refer to the three arms of the Danube. At the frontier of the Greek
empire, they were received by the brothers of the princess, with a
mounted guard. Ibn Batuta's chronology is a little confused, and we can
only guess that the reigning emperor at that time was Andronicus H.
Palaeologus. The description of the entry into Constantinople, and the
interview with the emperor, are among the most curious and interesting
passages in the work.

'We encamped at the distance of ten miles from Constantinople, and on
the following morning the population of the city came forth--men, women,
and children, on foot and on horseback, in their most beautiful costumes
and most magnificent vestments. From daybreak the cymbals, clarions, and
trumpets sounded; the soldiers mounted their horses, and the emperor,
with his wife, the mother of the princess, the great men of the empire,
and the courtiers, issued from the city. Over the head of the emperor
there was a canopy, carried by a certain number of cavaliers and
foot-soldiers, holding in their hands long staves, terminated at the top
by a sort of leather ball, with which they upheld the canopy. In the
centre thereof was a dais, supported on staves by the cavaliers. When
the emperor had advanced, the troops mixed together, and the noise
became great. I was not able to penetrate into the middle of the crowd,
and remained near the baggage of the princess and her companions,
fearing for my safety. It was related to me that when the princess
approached her parents, she alighted and kissed the ground before them;
then she kissed their shoes, and her principal officers did the same.
Our entry into Constantinople the Great took place towards noon, or a
little after. Meanwhile the inhabitants caused the bells to sound, in
such measure that the heavens were shattered with the mixed uproar of
their noise.

'When we had arrived at the outer gate of the palace, we there found
about a hundred men, accompanied by their chief, who was stationed on a
platform. I heard them saying, "The Saracens, the Saracens"--a term by
which they designate the Mussulmans,--and they prevented us from
entering. The companions of the princess said to them. "These people
belong to our suite;" but they answered, "They shall not enter here
without permission." We therefore waited at the gate, a