CHAPTER XXI.
_The Baron insists on the veracity of his former Memoirs--Forms a design of making discoveries in the interior parts of Africa--His discourse with Hilaro Frosticos about it--His conversation with Lady Fragrantia--The Baron goes, with other persons of distinction, to Court; relates an anecdote of the Marquis de Bellecourt._ All that I have related before, said the Baron, is gospel; and if there be any one so hardy as to deny it, I am ready to fight him with any weapon he pleases.

Yes, cried he, in a more elevated tone, as he started from his seat, I will condemn him to swallow this decanter, glass and all perhaps, and filled with kerren-wasser [a kind of ardent spirit distilled from cherries, and much used in some parts of Germany].
Therefore, my dear friends and companions, have confidence in what I say, and pay honour to the tales of Munchausen.

A traveller has a right to relate and embellish his adventures as he pleases, and it is very unpolite to refuse that deference and applause they deserve.
Having passed some time in England since the completion of my former memoirs, I at length began to revolve in my mind what a prodigious field of discovery must be in the interior part of Africa.

I could not sleep with the thoughts of it; I therefore determined to gain every proper assistance from Government to penetrate the celebrated source of the Nile, and assume the viceroyship of the interior kingdoms of Africa, or, at least, the great realm of Monomotapa.

It was happy for me that I had one most powerful friend at court, whom I shall call the illustrious Hilaro Frosticos.