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ship, he sent it by the master to Cyprus, ⟨consigned⟩ to the use of his wife and children, resolved ⟨with⟩ ten servants to travel overland; and so taking ⟨his⟩ leave of the Soldan, who gave him letters of s(illegible text) conduct directed to divers princes, he ⟨determined⟩ to pass over the deserts of Arabia and Persia and so to India taking Tartary in his way, ⟨where⟩ he had a view of the great Cham’s court at Cat(illegible text). From whence he travelled through a vast ⟨land⟩ forest that leads to India, where he slew a ⟨monstrous⟩ tiger, that had destroyed many hundreds ⟨of⟩ people, and left the way almost unfrequented ⟨to⟩ passengers, which was scattered with the sculls ⟨and⟩ bones of those that had been devoured. This ⟨forest⟩ took up two days and two nights travel, and ⟨passing⟩ through many countries; he came to ⟨India⟩ where the emperor Preston John reigned, who (illegible text) all those those countries, was the only ⟨Christian⟩ prince; that country being converted to the ⟨Christian⟩ faith by St Thomas the apostle. He has ⟨under⟩ him 62 Kings, and is lord of 30 islands, ⟨besides⟩ a vast country on the continent. ⟨Although⟩ most strangers are forbid to enter the ⟨emperor's⟩ palace, without his leave, Fortunatus making large presents, spun gained ⟨admittance⟩ and beheld such riches as the like he had never ⟨seen⟩ for the walls were plated with fine silver, ⟨whereupon⟩ was engraved the stories of knights, and ⟨ballads⟩ of former emperors: some rooms were hung ⟨with⟩ panthers, skins, casting a fragrant smell; the ⟨pillars⟩ that supported the roof were cedar, overlaid ⟨in⟩ gold, and embossed with precious stones. ⟨Fortunatus⟩, having seen all he could obtained leave ⟨from⟩ the Emperor to depart with 30 camels laden ⟨with⟩
