When her veil slipped aside I saw that she was young and very fair to look on.
So at noon we left the city of the Great King in the charge of two of his officers who brought me his thanks for the bow I had sent him, which he said he should treasure above everything he possessed, a saying at which Bes rolled his yellow eyes and grinned.

We were mounted on splendid stallions from the royal stables and clad in the shirts of mail that had been presented to us, though when we were clear of the city we took these off because of the heat, also because that which Bes wore chafed him, being too long for his squat shape.

Our goods together with the bags of gold were laden on sumpter horses which were led by my six hunter slaves.

Four picked soldiers brought up the rear, mighty men from the King's own bodyguard, and two of the royal postmen who served us as guides.

Also there were cooks and grooms with spare horses.
Thus we started in state and a great crowd watched us go.