_ 296 _ At midnight we left there and, travelling towards the west, we passed through the city, which is called Hoi. It is a large settlement, plentifully supplied with many provisions and the rearing of livestock. We passed through it with great trouble, because with the darkness of the night and the watercourses we crossed some of our loads fell off. A league farther on the mind of the guide we had with us began to wander, and he did not know where he was going. This was the reason why we became lost until an hour before dawn, crossing many watercourses and piles of rubble, which caused us great hardship. Finally, tired and annoyed, we stopped on a hill and awaited the morning in order to recognise the road. To the north of this city of Hoi (at forty-two degrees), two or three days’ journey away, there are some very high, large mountains, in which is the Ark of Holy Noah. No one goes there at any time of the year, for, because of the snow with which they the mountains are always covered, no one can climb them. Those who say that priests and monks go up there and bring loaves from the ark do not know what they are saying. This is what many long-term residents of those parts confirmed to me. They told me that the blessed St. James went to those mountains with the purpose and dedication of seeing the
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