_ 397 _ many ministers (sic) and jesters. That he did not have any seaports and he went about covered in gold; and that he was never seen except when mounted on a horse; that he kept his head and face covered; and his clothes were very ample, both in length and width. It is said that the nearest seaport is Zeila and another place called Berbera; and that from Zeile to Bab al Melica, which is the principal city, where this King is in permanent residence, the journey is three days. They say that the lands of this Abyssinian King are beyond the Straits of Mecca. That a Moor told him that they discovered in their law that Mecca was going to be destroyed by a Christian King, who was to be accompanied by such a host that all the land from the sea to Mecca would be covered with people; and that those who were in Mecca were to demolish the walls of Mohammed's house and pass the stones from one to another, from hand to hand, and in this way throw them into the sea, until none of them remained; that this would happen very soon and then all would be of the same faith. He told him they discovered this was to happen within three years and be carried out by this Abyssinian King. [9v] Item: the islands of Alcomor lie 60 leagues by sea from Kilwa and Sunda and make up the land of Madagascar, these islands are as follows:
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