Beyond that again is the kingdom of Prester John and of the great Cham.

These things I know for very sooth, for I had them from that pious Christian and valiant knight, Sir John de Mandeville, who stopped twice at Beaulieu on his way to and from Southampton, and discoursed to us concerning what he had seen from the reader's desk in the refectory, until there was many a good brother who got neither bit nor sup, so stricken were they by his strange tales." "I would fain know, father," asked the young man, "what there may be at the end of the world ?" "There are some things," replied the Abbot gravely, "into which it was never intended that we should inquire.

But you have a long road before you.

Whither will you first turn ?" "To my brother's at Minstead.

If he be indeed an ungodly and violent man, there is the more need that I should seek him out and see whether I cannot turn him to better ways." The Abbot shook his head.