A.D. 1248.] PRESENT TO THE CHAM OP TART ART. 385 Tartary* sent him an ambassador, who paid bim many fine compliments ; among others, the cham of Tartary sent him word that he was ready and at his command to assist him in the conquest of the Holy Land, and to deliver Jerusalem from the hands of the Saracens and Pagans. The king received this embassy with kindness, and, in return, sent ambassadors to the cham of Tartary, who were two years before they returned. The king of France sent likewise to the cham a tent in the form of a chapel ; it was of fine scarlet cloth, very rich, and handsomely made, with the intent to see if he could induce the cham and his subjects to embrace our faith and religion ; and, as a further inducement, he had embroidered on the inside of the tent the Annunciation of the Virgin mother of God, with other mysteries of our faith. Two Black Monks, who understood the Saracen language, had charge of this tent, and to exhort the Tartars, and shew how they ought to put their belief in God. The two monks shortly returned, thinking to meet the king at Acre ; but he was already in Cœsarea, upon which they went back to France. To say how the other ambassadors, whom the king had sent to the king of Barbary, were received, would be to tell of wonders, as I heard tliem related to the king from their own mouths. I have likewise frequently inquired of them concerning their adventures ; but I will not say any thing of them at present, for fear of breaking in upon the principal matter, which I had already begun. You must know that when I quitted France, to join this expedition to the Holy Land, I did not possess more than 1,200 livres of yearly revenue, and yet I took charge of nine other knights and three banners. On my arrival at Cyprus I had but twelve score livres in gold and silver, after paying the freight of the ship, so that many of my knights told me they would leave me if I did not better provide myself with money. I was somewhat cast down in courage on hearing this, but had ever my confidence in God ; and when the good king St. Louis heard of my distress, he sent for me, and * This kins; was not the greet cham of Tartary, but a prince over his subjects, whose name was Ercatay, as we see in the additions to Matt. Peris, p. 116. 2C