Near at hand sat the commanding officer, whose flat face was surmounted by an immense white plume, and whose person was adorned by an enormous white scarf, and a sword with elaborate hilt.

This dignitary was considerably excited when he beheld the strangers; he clapped his hat more firmly on his head, stroked his unkempt beard, and began to give audience.

After a few preliminary remarks, the travelers told him that they had weighty business to transact with the heads of the government.

They refused, however, to give any account of its purport.

This statement wounded the dignity of the authority before them.