Gan wrote to Charlemagne, to say how humbly and properly Marsilius was coming to pay the tribute into the hands of Orlando, and how handsome it would be of the emperor to meet him halfway, as agreed upon, at St. John Pied de Port, and so be ready to receive him, after the payment, at his footstool.  He added a brilliant account of the tribute and its accompanying presents.  They included a crown in the shape of a garland which had a carbuncle in it that gave light in darkness; two lions of an “immeasurable length, and aspects that frightened every body;” some “lively buffalos,” leopards, crocodiles, and giraffes; arms and armour of all sorts; and apes and monkeys seated among the rich merchandise that loaded the backs of the camels.  This imaginary treasure contained, furthermore, two enchanted spirits, called “Floro and Faresse,” who were confined in a mirror, and were to tell the emperor wonderful things, particularly Floro (for there is nothing so nice in its details as lying):  and Orlando was to have heaps of caravans full of Eastern wealth, and a hundred white horses, all with saddles and bridles of gold.  There was a beautiful vest, too, for Uliviero, all over jewels, worth ten thousand “seraffi,” or more.

The good emperor wrote in turn to say how pleased he was with the ambassador’s diligence, and that matters were arranged precisely as he wished.  His court, however, had its suspicions still.  Nobody could believe that Gan had not some new mischief in contemplation.  Little, nevertheless, did they imagine, after the base endeavours he had but lately made against them, that he had immediately plotted a new and greater one, and that his object in bringing Charles into the neighbourhood of Roncesvalles was to deliver him more speedily into the hands of Marsilius, in the event of the latter’s destruction of Orlando.

Orlando, however, did as his lord and sovereign desired.  He went to Roncesvalles, accompanied by a moderate train of warriors, not dreaming of the atrocity that awaited him.  Gan himself, meantime, had hastened on to France before Marsilius, in order to shew himself free and easy in the presence of Charles, and secure the success of his plot; while Marsilius, to make assurance doubly sure, brought into the passes of Roncesvalles no less than three armies, who were successively to fall on the Paladin, in case of the worst, and so extinguish him with numbers.  He had also, by Gan’s advice, brought heaps of wine and good cheer to be set before his victims in the first instance; “for that,” said the traitor, “will render the onset the more effective, the feasters being unarmed; and, supposing prodigies of valour to await even the attack of your second army, you will have no trouble with your third.  One thing, however, I must not forget,” added he; “my son Baldwin is sure to be with Orlando; you must take care of his life for my sake.”  “I give him this vest off my own body,” said the king; “let him wear it in the battle, and have no fear.  My soldiers shall be directed not to touch him.”