CHAPTER X

The return journey from Mount Sinai,—Nicolo de' Conti continues his
relation,—Prester John,

We departed from Mount Sinai, and I took my
leave from the Prior and the monks, and they gave me
the device of St. Catherine, which is a wheel with teeth
of gold, and out of my own poverty I gave them money.
I left my arms, and set out on my road with those of
the caravan and with Nicolo de' Conti. During the
journey I did little else except hear of his doings in
India, and he gave me many things written with his
own hand. I asked him concerning Prefter John^
and his authority, and he told me that he was a great
lord, and that he had twenty-five kings in his service,
although they were not great rulers, and also that many
people who live without law, but follow heathen rites,
are in subje6tion to him.

j:;'^^,|They say that there is in India a very high mountain,^
the ascent of which is exceedingly difficult, so much
so that in ancient times those below knew nothing about
those above, and those above had no knowledge of
those below, and a road was made, and a chain was
ftretched from the top to the bottom, to which those
who ascended or descended could cling. On the top
of the mountain is a great plain where they sow and
reap corn, and keep cattle and grain, and where there
are many orchards full of fruit, and much water; all
things, in short, necessary to the life of man. On
one side is a very notable monaftery, to which it is the
cuftom for those of fit rank to be Prefter to send twelve
ancient men, nobles by descent, and virtuous, to eleft
a new Prefter John when the office is vacant, and they
do it in this manner.    The chief sons and daughters

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