Chapter Five, The Journey to the Far Country Summary

Ibn Fadlan gives instruction to his companions regarding the rest of their journey and resigns himself to his own journey with the Northmen. Ibn Fadlan views the commission to travel with the Northmen as a death sentence. His interpreter does not accompany him and at first he feels very isolated because he cannot speak the Northman's speech. However, one of Buliwyf's men, Herger, knows some Latin and soon the two men are able to converse.

Ibn Fadlan gives the reader an in-depth description of the boat they are traveling in and of the great sailing skill of the Northmen. The warriors sail past numerous settlements and Herger points out the town of Bulgar. Bulgar is the home of the King of the Saqaliba where Ibn Fadlan was traveling to...