"The bodies of the khan's relatives, whom I have previously mentioned,
were likewise deposited in vaults, each with his weapons and with the
vessels used in his house.
"Those of highest rank were ten in number. Over each of their tombs
three horses were impaled, and one horse over each of the others.
"The day was one of public solemnity, and no one abstained from its
observance, neither man nor woman, Moslem nor infidel. All arrayed
themselves in funeral garments - the infidels wearing white tailasans,
and the Moslem white gowns.
"The empresses, wives of the khan, and his chief followers remained in
the neighbourhood of the tomb for forty days, living in tents. Some
prolonged their stay up to a year, and a market was established at which
provisions and every other necessary were sold.
"These are practices of the existence of which among any other people in
these present times I have no personal knowledge.
"The Indian infidels and the people of China burn their dead. Others
bury them, but without burying living men or women along with the
corpse.
"But I was informed in the Soudan, by persons upon whose word full
reliance may be placed, that among certain infidels in these countries,
on the death of the king, a vault is constructed in which the corpse is
laid, and along with it a certain number of his courtiers and servants;
as also thirty persons, sons and daughters of the most distinguished men
of the country.
