2 §82.] IBN BATUTA IN THE MALDIVES AND CEYLON, 23? 



Vizier, took her back home, and gave me her house, which was 

 one of the most charming. I asked permission to entertain the 

 fakirs returning from visiting the Foot of Adam, in the island 

 of Ceylon (see below). This he?granted, and sent me five sheep, 

 a rare animal with the islanders, having to be brought from 

 Ma'bar (Coromandel Coast) from Malabar and from Makdachaou. 

 The Vizier sent me also riee, chickens, melted butter and spices. 

 I had all these carried to the house of the Vizier Souleimdn, the 

 Mdndyec (Admiral), who took the greatest care in having them 

 cooked, augmented them in quantity, and sent me carpets and 

 copper vessels. We broke the fast according to custom, in the 

 palace of the Sultana, with the Grand Vizier, and I requested 

 him to permit some of the other Viziers to assist at my dinner. 

 He said " I will come myself too." I thanked him and returned 

 home: but he had already arrived with the Viziers and grandees 

 of the State. He seated himself in a raised pavilion of wood. 

 All who came, whether Chiefs or Viziers, saluted the Grand Vizier, 

 and threw down a piece of unworked stuff, in such numbers that 

 the total reached to a hundred or thereabouts, all of which the 

 fakirs appropriated. Dinner was then served and eaten : then 

 the readers of the Kuran gave a reading with their fine voices* 

 after which were singing and dancing. I had a fire prepared, 

 and the fakirs then entered and trampled it under foot ; some of 

 them even ate the live embers* as one would devour sweetmeats, 

 until the flame was extinguished. 



The Story of some of the Vizier's bene- 

 factions to ME. 



When the night was ended, the Vizier went home and I ac- 

 companied him. We passed a garden belonging to the Treasury* 

 and the Vizier said to me, "This garden is for you: I will have a 

 house built upon ?it to serve for your residence." I praised his 

 kind action, and made vows in his favour. Next day he sent me 

 a young female slave, and his messenger said, " The Vizier bids 

 me say* if this girl pleases you, she is yours ; otherwise he will 



