“Shafo, if it seemeth good, the captains may now tell us of their work.”
The chamberlain pointed with his wand: “Captain General, thou wilt begin.”
The captain general stepped out from his fellows, and, in measured tones, replied as if to the king:
“O most gracious of kings, Atlano, this I state to thy great self: I, captain of the war vessel Atlas, since leaving the harbor of Cleit, eleven moons since, have sailed around the country of the Afrites, and up its eastern coast. At many places, we fell upon the black people, and took of their gold and ivory; and then sent them into the inner parts to get incense trees, nutwoods, ebony, apes with dog heads,[[1]] monkeys with long tails, and greyhounds. It is two weeks since we came into harbor, and yielded our cargo. This showeth its worth, and stateth the sums we of the vessel merit.”
Bowing low, the captain general handed a roll of papyrus to an attendant, who laid it upon a table below the dais.
The chamberlain then pointed his wand toward the captain first in line. He stepped forward, and spoke in uncertain tones that slowly strengthened:
“O most gracious of kings, Atlano, this I state to thy great self: I, captain of the trading vessel Mestor, came into Chimo thirty days since from our people of Chimu,[[2]] whither I sailed twelve moons ago, bearing a cargo of dried fruits, grains, and rare woods. There I found our people building a temple to the great Amen, that in shape is like unto a pyramid, and in size is half a mile around. Already are the temples, palaces, and tombs of Chimu looking as ours. And great is the decking in gold and silver, for the mines are not far. Of gold, silver, and gems I bring to Chimo large stores. This showeth the worth of the cargo, and the sums which we of the vessel merit.”
The captain handed his roll to the captain general, who, in turn, handed it to the attendant. When this captain had resumed his place, the next captain, at beck of the chamberlain, stepped out to continue:
“O most gracious of kings, Atlano, this I state to thy great self: I, captain of the war vessel Azaes, left Autochthin seven moons since to bear to the fair green island[[3]] in the north a band of our people, and with them left the means of living for the time of twelve moons. On my way from there I ran in the passage to the Middle Sea[[4]] to look about a little, but at once sped back upon seeing some large vessels, strange and threatening. It is twenty days since I came into Autochthin. I bring to thee, O most gracious King, this written word of the planting of our people in the island, of their further needs, and of the sums that we of the vessel merit.”
And the captain handed in his roll.