_ 505 _ nominate a person to attend the Council. And as he had entrusted this matter to Cardinal Amulio and to me, he continued in the same frame of mind and once again spoke to me on the said subject with great insistence. On several occasions, it was necessary and imperative to discuss with the said cardinal the way in which this might be accomplished. And because any good that results from the Pope’s communication to Prester John will always increase the standing of Your Highness in the world, I did not wish to avoid such a task, should I receive orders from your ministers. His Holiness’s impatience and enthusiasm in this matter did not give me a chance to wait for a message from Your Highness, so I made ready to serve him in your name. After considering all the roads that could be taken from here to Abyssinia, I found none to be easier or shorter for a disguised messenger than the one from Cairo to Ceida. Then, one goes up the Nile, and from there across desert lands as far as the wild fennel plants on the frontiers of Abyssinia, from where it is easy to reach that kingdom. When I had informed His Holiness of the length of time that would be needed, I wanted to send a message in Your
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