NOTE 2.—­The word here used is Fondaco, often employed in mediaeval Italian in the sense nearly of what we call a factory.  The word is from the Greek [Greek:  pandokeion], but through the Arabic Fanduk.  The latter word is used by Ibn Batuta in speaking of the hostelries at which the Mussulman merchants put up in China.

CHAPTER XXIII.

[CONCERNING THE OPPRESSIONS OF ACHMATH THE BAILO, AND THE PLOT THAT WAS FORMED AGAINST HIM.[NOTE 1]

You will hear further on how that there are twelve persons appointed who have authority to dispose of lands, offices, and everything else at their discretion.  Now one of these was a certain Saracen named ACHMATH, a shrewd and able man, who had more power and influence with the Grand Kaan than any of the others; and the Kaan held him in such regard that he could do what he pleased.  The fact was, as came out after his death, that Achmath had so wrought upon the Kaan with his sorcery, that the latter had the greatest faith and reliance on everything he said, and in this way did everything that Achmath wished him to do.

This person disposed of all governments and offices, and passed sentence on all malefactors; and whenever he desired to have any one whom he hated put to death, whether with justice or without it, he would go to the Emperor and say:  “Such an one deserves death, for he hath done this or that against your imperial dignity.”  Then the Lord would say:  “Do as you think right,” and so he would have the man forthwith executed.  Thus when people saw how unbounded were his powers, and how unbounded the reliance placed by the Emperor on everything that he said, they did not venture to oppose him in anything.  No one was so high in rank or power as to be free from the dread of him.  If any one was accused by him to the Emperor of a capital offence, and desired to defend himself, he was unable to bring proofs in his own exculpation, for no one would stand by him, as no one dared to oppose Achmath.  And thus the latter caused many to perish unjustly.[NOTE 2]

Moreover, there was no beautiful woman whom he might desire, but he got hold of her; if she were unmarried, forcing her to be his wife, if otherwise, compelling her to consent to his desires.  Whenever he knew of any one who had a pretty daughter, certain ruffians of his would go to the father, and say:  “What say you?  Here is this pretty daughter of yours; give her in marriage to the Bailo Achmath (for they called him ’the Bailo,’ or, as we should say, ’the Vicegerent’),[NOTE 3] and we will arrange for his giving you such a government or such an office for three years.”  And so the man would surrender his daughter.  And Achmath would go to the Emperor, and say:  “Such a government is vacant, or will be vacant on such a day.  So-and-So is a proper man for the post.”  And the Emperor would reply:  “Do as you think best;” and the father of the girl was