Before Our Arrival At The Residence
Of Baatu, Two Of Our Tartars Rode On Before, To Give Him An Account Of What
We Had Said To Corrensa.
[1] It is difficult to understand the ambiguity here used, unless we
suppose that the station of Montij was on the right bank of the
Dnieper; while certainly that of Corrensa was on the left or
north-east bank.
- E.
[2] The Euxine and Caspian are here confounded as one sea. It is scarcely
necessary to observe, that the Dnieper and Don run into the Euxine,
while the Volga and Jaik, or Ural, are discharged into the Caspian.
- E.
SECTION XXII
The Reception of Carpini at the Court of Baatu.
When we arrived at the residence of Baatu, in the land of Comania, we were
ordered to pitch our tent a full league from his station, and when we were
to be introduced at his court, we were informed that it was previously
necessary for us to pass between two fires. We refused this at first, but
were told there was no danger, and that it was only precautionary, in case
we intended any mischief to their lord, or should have brought poison along
with us, as the fire would remove all evil. On which we complied, that we
might remove all suspicion of any such sinister intentions. After this,
when we came to the orda, we were questioned by Eldegay, the agent of the
prince, respecting the gifts we meant to offer; and making the same reply
we had given at the court of Corrensa, our gifts were offered and accepted;
and having declared the object of our journey, we were introduced into the
presence, making our obeisances, and were admonished respecting the
threshold, as formerly mentioned.
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