_ 127 _ I had always done in the time of the Arabs. For this I kissed his hands and answered him as was appropriate; and with this I left. On the next day I went to the Chief Treasury Officer, this was very necessary for me because of who is and for the great importance he has in this place because of the position he occupies in it, as I shall tell you later. On the same day I went to kiss the hands of the Commander of the fleet, for he is a respected nobleman and a very good soldier. Being such a good soldier, he keeps the company of the best people there are in this place. I was very well received by these two men in their own houses in a matching the honour which was done me. I shall not describe this day to you because that would be a long story. The men who are important in this place and have authority are the ones I shall tell you of here: Muhammad Pasha, the King and Governor is an impressive person, a fat man with a large belly, very heavy; he must be about fifty years old. In his manner of speaking, he is firm and discreet very affable to the common people, very direct, and resolute to good effect. Below him is Muhammad Beg, Chief Treasury Officer, who is very much in command of the treasury, and
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