He came forward and made his adoration to Hydaspes. So vast and "old world[17]" was his stature, that when kissing the king's knees, his head nearly equalled those who sat on raised seats above him; and, without waiting for any orders, he stripped and challenged any one to engage with him, either with skill of arms, or with strength of hands. And when, after many proclamations made, no antagonist appeared to oppose him--"You shall have," said Hydaspes, "a reward quite in character;" and he ordered an old and very bulky elephant to be brought out and given to him. The man was pleased with, and vain of the present; but the people burst into a shout of laughter; delighted at the humour of the king; consoling themselves by their derision of his boastfulness, for the inferiority which they had virtually expressed. The ambassadors of the Seres came next. They brought spun and woven garments, both white and purple; the materials of which were the produce of an insect,[18] which is bred in their country. These gifts being accepted, they begged and obtained the release of certain prisoners who had been condemned. After them, the envoys from Arabia the Happy approached. They presented many talents worth of fragrant leaves, lavender, cinnamon, and other productions, with which that land of perfume abounds; all which filled the air around with an agreeable odour. Then appeared the Troglodites. They brought gold dust (which is turned up by the ant-eater[19]), also a pair of hippogriffs guided by golden reins. The ambassadors of the Blemmyæ offered bows and arrows, formed of serpents' bones, and disposed into the form of a crown. "These our presents," said they, "in value fall far behind those of others; nevertheless, they did good service against the Persians, at the river, as you yourself can testify."