.
Soon after this the Admiral went on board again and began to write up his Journal, solemnly entering all these facts in it.

It is the most childish nonsense; but after all, how interesting and credible it must have been! To live thus smelling the most heavenly perfumes, breathing the most balmy air, viewing the most lovely scenes, and to be always hot upon the track of gold and pearls and spices and wealth and dog-nosed, blood-drinking monstrosities--what an adventure, what a vivid piece of living! After a few days--on Tuesday, November 6th--the two men who had been sent inland to the great and rich city came back again with their report.
Alas for visions of the Great Khan! The city turned out to be a village of fifty houses with twenty people in each house.

The envoys had been received with great solemnity; and all the men "as well as the women" came to see them, and lodged them in a fine house.

The chief people in the village came and kissed their hands and feet, hailing them as visitors from the skies, and seating them in two chairs, while they sat round on the floor.

The native interpreter, doubtless according to instructions, then told them "how the Christians lived and how they were good people"; and I would give a great deal to have heard that brief address.