_ 323 _ there was always one of them. He enquired how many Christian kings there were in the neighborhood of Spain. He replied that there were seven, namely: Portugal, Castile, France, England, Germany, Hungary and Russia. He also asked him how old was the King, our Lord. He answered, thirty- five. And how many children he had. He said four male children and two female. He enquired whether the Governor of India was a King. He replied that he was the Captain-in-Chief of the King, our Lord, who by his valour had earned the title of Duke. He carried on questioning in this manner learning what he wanted to know. Then they brought him the steel arms, the breastplates, lances, crossbows and muskets, and everything was very much to his liking. He ordered one of his captains to be armed and then to be seated. When he sat down, he fell on his back and could not get up. You cannot imagine the Sheikh’s amusement on seeing him stretched out in this way without being able to get to his feet. After this incident dinner was brought. First, food was served to those in the field, without tablecloths. Then, when everyone had something to eat, they served Sheikh Ismael in the following manner. Before they placed the tablecloths on the table, he was given water for his hands in a silver jug and basin. He cleansed himself with a blue
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