Tirant charged him to go to Genoa, Venice, Pisa and
Majorca (which at this time was a great trading center), and to
enlist as many ships, galleys, caravels, and all kinds of
vessels, as could carry many men. He was to promise them a
year's wages, and take them to the port of Constantine in the
kingdom of Tunis. When Espercius was informed about everything
he was to do, he embarked on his journey.
When Ambassador Melquisedic left Barbary he had such favorable
weather that he reached Constantinople in a few days. When the
emperor was informed that a ship was in port, he immediately
sent a knight to find out what ship it was, and what its purpose
was in coming. The knight went to the port, boarded the ship and
spoke with the ambassador. Then he returned to the palace and
told the emperor that the ship had come from Barbary, that Tirant
had sent it, stocked with wheat, to His Majesty, and that a
knight was on it whom Tirant had sent as his ambassador.
When the emperor heard this news he felt very relieved because of
the straits they were in, and he gave thanks and praise to God,
Our Lord, that he had not been forgotten.
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