IIIMy gentleness and good behavior gained so far on the Emperor and
his Court, and, indeed, on the people in general, that I began to
have hopes of getting my liberty in a short time. The natives
came by degrees to be less fearful of danger from me. I would
sometimes lie down and let five or six of them dance on my hand;
and at last the boys and girls ventured to come and play at
hide-and-seek in my hair.
The horses of the army and of the royal stables were no longer
shy, having been daily led before me; and one of the Emperor’s
huntsmen, on a large courser, took my foot, shoe and all, which was
indeed a prodigious leap. I amused the Emperor one day in a
very extraordinary manner. I took nine sticks, and fixed them
firmly in the ground in a square. Then I took four other
