WILLIAM DE KUBRUQUIS ad, j 



1253. j 



altogether. So long as we were travelling through the I 

 desert, it went reasonably well with us. For I cannot 

 sufficiently expresse in words the irkesome and tedious 



troubles which I susteined, when I came at any of their ; 

 places of abode. For our guide would have us goe in 



unto every Captaine with a present, and our expenses j 



would not extend so farre. For we were every day eight j 



persons of us spending our waifaring provision, for the j 



Tartars servants would all of them eate of our victuals. j 



We our selves were five in number, and the servants our I 



guides were three, two to drive our carts, and one to j 



conduct us unto Sartach. The flesh which they gave us ; 



was not sufficient for us : neither could we finde any ! 



thing to be bought for our money. And as we sate Extreme heau \ 

 under our carts in the coole shadowe, by reason of the ^^ ^ommer. 



extreame and vehement heate which was there at that ! 



time, they did so importunately and shamelesly intrude : 



themselves into our companie, that they would even j 

 tread upon us, to see whatsoever things we had. Having 

 list at any time to ease themselves, the filthy lozels had 



not the maners to withdrawe themselves farther from us, j 



then a beane can bee cast. Yea, like vile slovens they j 



would lay their tailes in our presence, while they were ■ 



yet talking with us : many other things they committed, i 



which were most tedious and loathsome unto us. But ' 



above all things it grieved me to the very heart, that j 



when I would utter ought unto them, which might tend i 



to their edification, my foolish interpreter would say: | 



you shall not make me become a Preacher now : I tell I 

 you, I cannot nor I will not rehearse any such wordes. 



And true it was which he saide. For I perceived after- ; 



ward, when I began to have a litle smattering in the • 

 language, that when I spake one thing, he would say 

 quite another, whatsoever came next unto his witlesse 

 tongues end. Then seeing the danger I might incurre 



in speaking by such an interpreter, I resolved much i 

 rather to holde my peace, and thus we traveiled with 



great toile from lodging to lodging, till at the length, { 



I 257 R I 



