MARCO POLO.
[Sidenote: 1880.]
A very bright and merry set of boys and girls have been invited, now for every winter for some years, to spend their Saturday afternoons with Col. Ingham, at his house at Jamaica Plain, near Boston. It is the old Lady Oliver house, which was built by some West Indian grandees before the Revolution,--from whose windows, indeed, they looked out to smile approval on the English troops, when, in the spring of 1775, they made their one “military promenade” out through Roxbury, and back through Dorchester into Boston,--the only time they ever went out to come safely back again.
The evenings of these young people at this house are generally spent in dancing or in round games around Col. Ingham’s large tables; but a habit has grown up, in which, if they choose, they may come as early as half-past three o’clock, and ask Col. Ingham questions about what they are reading, and burrow as much as they choose in the treasures of his curious library. The “Stories of the Sea,” which has its place in this collection, were read aloud by these young people in successive visits of one winter,--much as they had dug out the “Stories of War,” in a visit they made to the colonel at Little Crastis, on the Rhode Island sea-shore, the summer before.
After a summer and autumn crowded full with hair-breadth adventure,--stories of sea, indeed, and stories of land, though fortunately no worse stories of war than Blanche’s encounter with a deaf conductor, and Bedford’s somewhat doubtful encounters with quails and partridges at Quonochontaug,--the children gathered one dark afternoon at Col. Ingham’s, with loud mutual felicitations, and with a cordial welcome from him. It was raining pitilessly out of doors; but rubber boots and gossamers had emancipated these girls, and the boys, of course, had to be out always, “weather or no.”
“No Blue Hills to-day,” said Uncle Fritz, laughing, as Blanche and May rubbed their little hands in front of his hickory fire.
“No,” said Blanche, “the famous Alpine Club itself surrenders to this storm. And my sketch, Uncle Fritz,--what you called my grand study for a panorama,--will have to be finished with spring apple-blossoms on the right hand, to patch out the sombre chestnuts and oaks I had worked in so elaborately on the left hand; for we shall certainly have no more alpine clubs this fall.”
The young people are fond of calling themselves the Alpine Club when they go to the Quarries or the Blue Hills or Nahant or the Brewsters or the Middlesex Fells or the Waverley Oaks or any of the other nice places within an easy excursion from Boston.
“Unless, indeed,” said Col. Ingham, “unless we get a sleigh-ride some afternoon, and I send you up to the top of the Blue Hills on snow-shoes. I did not know how many of you might be here. I am not jealous of Mr. Hale; but when I found you were all studying politics over at his house, I thought there might be no time for story-telling. Have you prepared your protocol for Russia, Blanche?”
Blanche laughed. She said the more they read of one thing, the more they wanted to read of another; and that, for her part, she found no one of Uncle Fritz’s rules so easy as that which bids her
CONFESS IGNORANCE.
Uncle Fritz’s rules for talk are:--
TELL THE TRUTH. DO NOT TALK ABOUT YOUR OWN AFFAIRS. CONFESS IGNORANCE. TALK TO THE PERSON WHO TALKS TO YOU. DO NOT UNDERRATE HIM. BE SHORT.[1]
All the boys and girls agreed with Blanche, as, indeed, they are apt to, for Blanche is as pleasant as she is sensible; and here are two qualities which do not always travel together.
By this time almost all the “Alpine Club” had come. The waterproofs were hung to drip and dry in the back hall, under Flora Haggerty’s care; and in a great semicircle the young people sat round the hickory fire. It was something about the “Stories of the Sea,” which had just been published by Little & Brown, which started them on travels; and how they would like to go to Tahiti and New Zealand and all the wonderful places!
Uncle Fritz told them of some college friends of his, who had planned landing in Arabia from Zanzibar, and then assuming Arab costumes, talking such Arabic as they could, and gradually making their way through Asia till they came out at Canton, on the eastern shore. They failed in this great plan only from the merest accident at the start.
“We know, to this hour, curiously little of Central Asia,” he said. “There are regions of which Marco Polo’s account is the only account we have to this day; and that is six hundred years old.”
“And it was not true when it was new, was it?” asked Horace, laughing.
Uncle Fritz said that that was an old scandal. He said that Mandeville and Marco Polo had long been called the princes of liars, while people did not follow their example of travel; but in our times, their reputations are waking up to light again. In Marco Polo’s case, he wrote almost wholly from memory,--from the mere fact that he wrote long after his return from the East; but later authorities have verified so much of his narrative that it is but fair to believe him when nothing can be proved against him.
Bertha confessed that she mixed him up very badly with Marco Paul, who travelled in Mr. Abbott’s books.
They all laughed, because they knew what Bertha meant. “That was one of Jacob Abbott’s quiet jokes. His books are wellnigh perfect in everything, and in nothing more perfect than in the choice of names. So he makes Marco Paul a traveller, on purpose that we may all remember the prince of the travellers of the Middle Ages.”
Then Col. Ingham sent for the third volume of Irving’s “Columbus,” and for Col. Yule’s careful edition of “Marco Polo,”--a fascinating book, which should be in every public library. He told Bedford to go to the bookcase which had Columbus’s bust on top, and look till he found them.
That is the case with the travels and geographies in it. Bedford knows it as well as he knows the bookshelves he has at home, which he made on his own work-bench in the laundry. Col. Ingham told Bedford he would find an account of Marco Polo in the Appendix; and Bedford found it, and read aloud:--
IRVING’S ACCOUNT OF MARCO POLO.
[Sidenote: 1260.]
Marco Polo was a native of Venice, who in the thirteenth century made a journey to the East, and filled all Christendom with curiosity by his account of the countries he had visited. He was preceded in his travels by his father Nicholas, and his uncle, Matteo Polo. These two brothers were of an illustrious family in Venice, and embarked, in the year 1260,[2] on a commercial voyage to the East. Having traversed the Mediterranean and the strait of Bosphorus, they stopped for a short time at Constantinople. From hence they proceeded by the Euxine to Armenia, where they remained for a year, entertained with great favor at the court of a Tartar prince. A war breaking out between their patron and a neighboring potentate, and the former being defeated, they were embarrassed how to extricate themselves from the country, and return home in safety. After various wanderings, they at length reached Bochara, in the Gulf of Persia, where they resided for three years. While here, there arrived an ambassador from one of the inferior Tartar powers, on his way to the court of the Great Khan. Finding that the two brothers were well acquainted with the Tartar tongue, he prevailed upon them to accompany him. After a march of several months, being delayed by snows and inundations, they arrived at the court of Cublai, otherwise called the Great Khan, which signifies king of kings, being the sovereign potentate of the Tartars. This magnificent prince received them with great distinction. He made inquiries about the countries and princes of the West, their civil and military government, and the manners and customs of the Latin nations.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1271-95.]
After one return to the Levant they took a second journey, and this time took Marco Polo with them. He was gone twenty-four years. On their return, when they arrived at Venice, they were known by nobody. So many years had elapsed since their departure, without any tidings of them, that they were either forgotten or considered dead.
They repaired to their own house, which was a noble palace, afterwards known by the name of la Corte de la Milione. They found several of their relatives still inhabiting it; but they were slow in recollecting the travellers, not knowing of their wealth, and probably considering them poor adventurers, returned to be a charge upon their families. The Polos, however, took an effectual mode of quickening the memories of their friends, and ensuring themselves a loving reception. They invited them all to a grand banquet. The guests were lost in astonishment, and could not comprehend the meaning of this masquerade, when, having dismissed all the attendants, Marco Polo brought forth the coarse Tartar dresses in which they had arrived. Slashing them in several places with a knife, and ripping open the seams and linings, there tumbled forth a vast quantity of precious jewels, such as rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds. The whole table glittered with inestimable wealth, which they had acquired from the munificence of the Grand Khan, and which they had conveyed in this portable form through the perils of their long journey.
The company, observes Ramusio, were out of their wits with amazement, and now clearly perceived what they had at first doubted, that these in very truth were those honored and valiant gentlemen, the Polos, and accordingly paid them great respect and reverence.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1295-98.]
Some months after their return, Lampo Doria, commander of the Genoese navy, appeared in the vicinity of the island of Cuzzola, with seventy galleys. Andrea Dandolo, the Venetian admiral, was sent against him. Marco Polo commanded a galley of the fleet. His usual good fortune deserted him. Advancing the first in the line with his galley, and not being properly seconded, he was taken prisoner, and thrown in irons, and carried to Genoa. Here he was detained for a long time in prison, and all offers of ransom rejected. His imprisonment gave great uneasiness to his father and uncle, fearing that he might never return. Seeing themselves in this unhappy state, with so much treasure, and no heirs, they consulted together. They were both very old men; but Nicolo, observes Ramusio, was of a galliard complexion. It was determined he should take a wife, and he did so.
In the meanwhile, the fame of Marco Polo’s travels had circulated in Genoa. His prison was daily crowded with the nobility, and he was supplied with everything that could cheer him in his confinement. A Genoese gentleman, who visited him every day, at length prevailed on him to write an account of what he had seen. He had his papers and journals sent to him from Venice, and with the assistance of his friend produced the book which afterwards made such noise throughout the world.
“So, you see,” said Uncle Fritz, “that the poor rich man wrote in prison, far away from home, and with such journals and notes as had escaped wars, shipwrecks, and travel.”
Bedford and two of the girls seized on one volume of Col. Yule’s book,--which is a good edition of “Marco Polo,”--and Laura and two of the boys seized on another. There are very amusing and instructive pictures; and the young people were delighted as they turned from chapter to chapter. Meanwhile, Uncle Fritz was questioning the others about their summer travels; and all the talk was running on adventure.
“This is a very good day for ‘Marco Polo,’” said he; “for what with Oregon, and Colorado Springs, and the Saguenay River, you have travelled about as far this summer as the Venetian gentlemen did in all those years. Bedford, have you found nothing you can read to us?”
And, after a minute’s conference, Bedford selected and read--
HOW THE EMPEROR SENT MARK ON AN EMBASSY.
[Sidenote: 1298.]
Now it came to pass that Marco, the son of Messer Nicolo, sped wondrously in learning the customs of the Tartars as well as their language, their manner of writing, and their practice of war,--in fact, he came in brief space to know several languages, and four sundry written characters; and he was discreet and prudent in every way, insomuch that the emperor held him in great esteem. And so, when he discerned Mark to have so much sense, and to conduct himself so well and beseemingly, he sent him on an ambassage of his to a country which was a good six months’ journey distant. The young gallant executed his commission well, and with discretion. Now, he had taken note on several occasions that, when the prince’s ambassadors returned from different parts of the world, they were able to tell him about nothing except the business on which they had gone; and the prince, in consequence, held them for no better than fools and dolts, and would say, “I had far liever hearken about the strange things and the manners of the different countries you have seen than merely be told of the business you went upon,”--for he took great delight in hearing of the affairs of strange countries. Mark, therefore, as he went and returned, took great pains to learn about all kinds of different matters in the countries which he visited, in order to be able to tell about them to the Great Kaan.
When Mark returned from his ambassage, he presented himself before the emperor; and, after making his report of the business with which he was charged, and its successful accomplishment, he went on to give an account, in a pleasant and intelligent manner, of all the novelties and strange things that he had seen and heard, insomuch that the emperor and all such as heard his story were surprised, and said, “If this young man live, he will assuredly come to be a person of great worth and ability.” And so, from that time forward, he was always entitled MESSER MARCO POLO; and thus we shall style him henceforth in this book of ours, as is but right.
Then Bedford turned over to a place where Mary Long had put in a mark, and read--
OF THE GREAT COUNTRY OF PERSIA, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE THREE KINGS.
[Sidenote: 1271-95.]
Persia is a great country, which was in old times very illustrious and powerful; but now the Tartars have wasted and destroyed it. In Persia is the city of Saba, from which the three magi set out, when they went to worship Jesus Christ; and in this city they are buried, in three very large and beautiful monuments, side by side. And above them there is a square building carefully kept. The bodies are still entire, with the hair and beard remaining. One of these was called Jasper, the second Melchoir, and the third Balthasar. Messer Marco Polo asked a great many questions of the people of that city as to those three magi; but never one could he find that knew aught of the matter, except that these were three kings, who were buried there in days of old. However, at a place three days’ journey distant, he heard of what I am going to tell you. He found a village there which goes by the name of Cala Ataperistan, which is as much as to say, “The Castle of the Fire-worshippers”; and the name is rightly applied, for the people there do worship fire, and I will tell you why. They relate that, in old times, three kings of that country went away to worship a prophet that was born; and they carried with them three manner of offerings,--gold and frankincense and myrrh,--in order to ascertain whether that prophet were God or an earthly king or a physician. “For,” said they, “if he take the gold, then he is an earthly king; if he take the incense, he is God; if he take the myrrh, he is a physician.” So it came to pass, when they had come to the place where the Child was born, the youngest of the three kings went in first, and found the Child apparently just of his own age; so he went forth again, marvelling greatly. The middle one entered next, and, like the first, he found the Child seemingly of his own age; so he also went forth again, and marvelled greatly. Lastly, the eldest went in, and as it had befallen the other two, so it befel him; and he went forth very pensive.
And when the three had rejoined one another, each told what he had seen; and then they all marvelled the more. So they all agreed to go in all three together; and on doing so, they beheld the Child with the appearance of its actual age,--to wit, some thirteen days. Then they adored, and presented their gold and incense and myrrh; and the Child took all the three offerings, and then gave them a small closed box: whereupon the kings departed to return into their own land.
And when they had ridden many days they said they would see what the Child had given them. So they opened the little box; and inside it they found a stone. On seeing this they began to wonder what this might be that the Child had given them, and what was the import thereof. Now the signification was this: when they presented their offerings, the Child accepted all three; and when they saw that, they had said within themselves that he was the True God, and the True King, and the True Physician. And what the gift of the stone implied was that this Faith which had begun in them should abide firm as a rock. For he well knew what was in their thoughts. Howbeit they had no understanding at all of this signification of the gift of the stone, so they cast it into a well. Then straightway a fire from heaven descended into that well wherein the stone had been cast. And when the Three Kings beheld this marvel they were sore amazed, and it greatly repented them that they had cast away the stone; for well they then perceived that it had a great and holy meaning. So they took of that fire, and carried it into their own country, and placed it in a rich and beautiful church. And there the people keep it continually burning, and worship it as a god; and all the sacrifices they offer are kindled with that fire. And if ever the fire becomes extinct they go to other cities round about, where the same faith is held, and obtain of that fire from them, and carry it to the church. And this is the reason why the people of this country worship fire. They will often go ten days’ journey to get of that fire.
The children were highly edified by finding this echo of the story of the wise men of the Bible, brought from the East, and asked Uncle Fritz if they might believe it, ever so little. He told them that, till Mahomet’s time, all these countries were more or less under the rule of Christian faith, though it were but limp faith, and stupid. It was quite possible that Messer Marco Polo might have found some legends there which he repeated here.
“But I think,” said Uncle Fritz, “that if you are going to dip, before reading, you had better begin on Cublay Khan himself.”
“Cublay Khan!” cried Fergus. “Are we to hear about Cublay Khan?”
“Why, what do you know about Cublay Khan?” cried Mary Long.
“Do you not remember,--‘Mustapha, Rubadub, Cublay Khan’?”
“I do not think you say it right. But hush! Horace is going to begin.”
So Horace began:--
HOW NAYAN WAS BEATEN.
[Sidenote: 1286.]
Now am I come to that part of our book in which I shall tell you of the great and wonderful magnificence of the Great Kaan now reigning, by name CUBLAY KAAN,--_Kaan_ being a title which signifieth “the Great Lord of Lords,” or Emperor. And of a surety he hath good right to such a title; for all men know for a certain truth that he is the most potent man, as regards forces and lands and treasure, that existeth in the world, or ever hath existed, from the time of our First Father, Adam, until this day.
“That was probably true,” interrupted Col. Ingham.
All this I will make clear to you for truth, in this book of ours, so that every one shall be fain to acknowledge that he is the greatest lord that is now in the world, or ever hath been. And now, ye shall hear how and wherefore.
* * * * *
There was a great Tartar chief, whose name was Nayan, a young man of thirty, lord over many lands and many provinces; and he was uncle to the Emperor Cublay Kaan, of whom we are speaking. And when he found himself in authority, this Nayan waxed proud in the insolence of his youth and his great power; for indeed he could bring into the field three hundred thousand horsemen, though all the time he was liegeman to his nephew, the Great Kaan Cublay, as was right and reason. Seeing, then, what great power he had, he took it into his head that he would be the Great Kaan’s vassal no longer: nay, more, he would fain wrest his empire from him, if he could. So this Nayan sent envoys to another Tartar prince, called Caidu, also a great and potent lord, who was a kinsman of his, and who was a nephew of the Great Kaan, and his lawful liegeman also, though he was in rebellion, and at bitter enmity with his sovereign lord and uncle. Now, the message that Nayan sent was this: that he himself was making ready to march against the Great Kaan with all his forces, which were great, and he begged Caidu to do likewise from his side, so that by attacking Cublay on two sides at once with such great forces they would be able to wrest his dominion from him. And when Caidu heard the message of Nayan, he was right glad thereat, and thought the time was come at last to gain his object; so he sent back answer that he would do as requested, and got ready his host, which mustered a good hundred thousand horsemen.
Now, let us go back to the Great Kaan, who had news of all this plot.
When the Great Kaan heard what was afoot, he made his preparations in right good heart, like one who feared not the issue of an attempt so contrary to justice. Confident in his own conduct and prowess, he was in no degree disturbed, but vowed that he would never wear crown again if he brought not those two traitorous and disloyal Tartar chiefs to an ill end. So swiftly and secretly were his preparations made that no one knew of them but his privy council, and all were completed within ten or twelve days. In that time he had assembled good three hundred and sixty thousand horsemen and one hundred thousand footmen,--but a small force, indeed, for him, and consisting only of those that were in the vicinity; for the rest of his vast and innumerable forces were too far off to answer so hasty a summons, being engaged under orders from him on distant expeditions to conquer divers countries and provinces. If he had waited to summon all his troops, the multitude assembled would have been beyond all belief; a multitude such as never was heard of, or told of, past all counting! In fact, those three hundred and sixty thousand horsemen that he got together consisted merely of the falconers and whippers-in that were about the court! And when he got ready this handful, as it were, of his troops, he ordered his astrologers to declare whether he should gain the battle, and get the better of his enemies. After they had made their observations they told him to go on boldly, for he would conquer and gain a glorious victory; whereat he greatly rejoiced. So he marched with his army; and after advancing for twenty days they arrived at a great plain, where Nayan lay with all his host, amounting to some four hundred thousand horse. Now, the Great Kaan’s forces arrived so fast and so suddenly that the others knew nothing of the matter; for the Kaan had caused such strict watch to be made in every direction for scouts that every one that appeared was instantly captured. Thus Nayan had no warning of his coming, and was completely taken by surprise, insomuch that, when the Great Kaan’s army came up, he was asleep; so thus you see why it was that the emperor equipped his force with such speed and secrecy. Of the battle which the Great Kaan fought with Nayan, what shall I say about it?
When day had well broken, there was the Kaan, with all his host, upon a hill overlooking the plain where Nayan lay in his tent, in all security, without the slightest thought of any one coming thither to do him hurt. In fact, this confidence of his was such that he kept no videttes, whether in front or in rear; for he knew nothing of the coming of the Great Kaan, owing to all the approaches having been completely occupied, as I told you. Moreover, the place was in a remote wilderness, more than thirty marches from the court,--though the Kaan had made the distance in twenty, so eager was he to come to battle with Nayan. And what shall I tell you next? The Kaan was there on the hill, mounted on a great wooden bartizan, which was borne by four well-trained elephants; and over him was hoisted his standard, so high aloft that it could be seen from all sides. His troops were ordered in battles of thirty thousand men apiece, and a great part of the horsemen had each a foot-soldier, armed with a lance, set on the crupper behind him (for it was thus that the footmen were disposed of); and the whole plain seemed to be covered with his forces. So it was thus that the Great Kaan’s army was arrayed for battle. When Nayan and his people saw what had happened, they were sorely confounded, and rushed in haste to arms. Nevertheless, they made them ready in good style, and formed their troops in an orderly manner. And when all were in battle array on both sides, as I have told you, and nothing remained but to fall to blows, then might you have heard a sound arise of many instruments of various music, and of the voices of the whole of the two hosts loudly singing.
For this is a custom of the Tartars, that before they join battle they all unite in singing and playing on a certain two-stringed instrument of theirs, a thing right pleasant to hear, and so they continue in their array of battle, singing and playing in this pleasing manner, until the great Naccara of the prince is heard to sound. As soon as that begins to sound the fight also begins on both sides; and in no case before the prince’s Naccara sounds dare any commence fighting.
So, then, as they were thus singing and playing, though ordered and ready for battle, the great Naccara of the Great Kaan began to sound, and that of Nayan also began to sound, and thenceforward the din of battle began to be heard loudly from this side and from that, and they rushed to work so doughtily with their bows and their maces, with their lances and swords, and with the arblests of the footmen, that it was a wondrous sight to see. Now might you behold such flights of arrows from this side and from that, that the whole heaven was canopied with them, and they fell like rain. Now might you see on this side and on that full many a cavalier and man-at-arms fall slain, insomuch that the whole field seemed covered with them. From this side and from that such cries arose from the crowds of the wounded and dying that had God thundered you would not have heard Him. For fierce and furious was the battle, and quarter there was none given; but why should I make a long story of it? You must know that it was the most parlous and fierce and fearful battle that has ever been fought in our day. Nor have there ever been such forces in the field in actual fight, especially of horsemen, as were then engaged; for, taking both sides, there were not fewer than seven hundred and sixty thousand horsemen,--a mighty force!--and that without reckoning the footmen, who were also very numerous. The battle endured with various fortune on this side and on that from morning till noon; but at last, by God’s pleasure and the right that was on his side, the Great Kaan had the victory, and Nayan lost the battle and was utterly routed. For the army of the Great Kaan performed such feats of arms that Nayan and his host could stand against them no longer, so they turned and fled; but this availed nothing for Nayan, for he and all the barons with him were taken prisoners and had to surrender to the Kaan with all their arms.
Now you must know that Nayan was a baptized Christian, and bore the Cross on his banner, but this nought availed him, seeing how grievously he had done amiss in rebelling against his lord. For he was the Great Kaan’s liegeman, and was bound to hold his lands of him like all his ancestors before him.
The scale of this fighting satisfied even Bedford, who is notorious for his passion for a good fight. Uncle Fritz told them that if they would look further they would see that military rockets were used in this battle, or something which resembled rockets more than cannon.
While they were talking, Horace and Fred looked further, and when there was a lull read--
And after the Great Kaan had conquered Nayan, as you have heard, it came to pass that the different kinds of people who were present, Saracens and idolaters and Jews, and many others that believed not in God, did gibe those that were Christians because of the Cross that Nayan had borne on his standard, and that so grievously that there was no bearing it. Thus they would say to the Christians: “See now what precious help this God’s Cross of yours hath rendered Nayan, who was a Christian and a worshipper thereof.” And such a din arose about the matter that it reached the Great Kaan’s own ears. When it did so, he sharply rebuked those who cast these gibes at the Christians, and he also bade the Christians be of good heart, “for if the Cross had rendered no help to Nayan, in that It had done right well, nor could that which was good, as It was, have done otherwise; for Nayan was a disloyal and traitorous rebel against his lord, and well deserved that which had befallen him. Wherefore the Cross of your God did well in that It gave him no help against the right.” And this he said so loud that everybody heard him. The Christians then replied to the Great Kaan: “Great King, you say the truth indeed, for our Cross can render no one help in wrong-doing, and therefore it was that It aided not Nayan, who was guilty of crime and disloyalty, for It would take no part in his evil deeds.” And so thenceforward no more was heard of the floutings of the unbelievers against the Christians; for they heard very well what the sovereign said to the latter about the Cross on Nayan’s banner, and Its giving him no help.
POST HOUSES.
Now you must know that from this city of Cambaluc proceed many roads and highways leading to a variety of provinces, one to one province, another to another, and each road receives the name of the province to which it leads; and it is a very sensible plan, and the messengers of the emperor in travelling from Cambaluc, be the road whichsoever they will, find at every twenty-five miles of the journey a station which they call “Yamb,” or, as we should say, the “Horse-Post-House.” And at each of those stations used by the messengers there is a large and handsome building for them to put up at, in which they find all the rooms furnished with fine beds and all other necessary articles in rich silk, and where they are provided with everything they can want. If even a king were to arrive at one of these he would find himself well lodged.
At some of these stations, moreover, there shall be posted some four hundred horses standing ready for the use of the messengers; at others there shall be two hundred, according to the requirements, and to what the emperor has established in each case. At every twenty-five miles, as I said, or anyhow at every thirty miles, you find one of these stations on all the principal highways leading to the different provincial governments, and the same is the case throughout all the chief provinces subject to the Great Kaan; even when the messengers have to pass through a roadless tract where neither house nor hostel exists, still there the station-houses have been established just the same, excepting that the intervals are somewhat greater, and the day’s journey is fixed at thirty-five to forty-five miles, instead of twenty-five to thirty. But they are provided with horses and all the other necessaries just like those we have described, so that the emperor’s messengers, come they from what region they may, find everything ready for them.
And in sooth this is a thing done on the greatest scale of magnificence that ever was seen. Never had emperor, king, or lord such wealth as this manifests! For it is a fact that on all these posts taken together there are more than three hundred thousand horses kept up specially for the use of the messengers. And the great buildings that I have mentioned are more than ten thousand in number, all richly furnished as I told you. The thing is on a scale so wonderful and costly that it is hard to bring one’s self to describe it.
But now I will tell you another thing that I had forgotten, but which ought to be told whilst I am on this subject. You must know that by the Great Kaan’s orders there has been established between those post-houses, at every interval of three miles, a little fort, with some forty houses round about it, in which dwell the people who act as the emperor’s foot-runners. Every one of those runners wears a great wide belt, set all over with bells, so that as they run the three miles from post to post their bells are heard jingling a long way off. And thus on reaching the post the runner finds another man similarly equipt, and all ready to take his place, who instantly takes over whatsoever he has in charge, and with it receives a slip of paper from the clerk, who is always at hand for the purpose; and so the new man sets off and runs his three miles. At the next station he finds his relief ready in like manner; and so the post proceeds, with a change at every three miles. And in this way the emperor, who has an immense number of these runners, receives despatches with news from places ten days’ journey off in one day and night; or, if need be, news from a hundred days off in ten days and nights, and that is no small matter! In fact, in the fruit season, many a time fruit shall be gathered one morning in Cambaluc, and the evening of the next day it shall reach the Great Kaan at Chandu, a distance of ten days’ journey.
The clerk at each of the posts notes the time of each courier’s arrival and departure; and there are often other officers, whose business it is to make monthly visitations of all the posts, and to punish those runners who have been slack in their work. The emperor exempts these men from all tribute, and pays them beside.
Moreover, there are also at those stations other men, equipt similarly with girdles hung with bells, who are employed for expresses when there is a call for great haste in sending despatches to any governor of a province, or to give news when any baron has revolted, or in other such emergencies; and these men travel a good two hundred or two hundred and fifty miles in the day, and as much in the night. I’ll tell you how it stands. They take a horse from those at the station, which are standing ready saddled, all fresh and in wind, and mount and go at full speed, as hard as they can ride, in fact. And when those at the next post hear the bells, they get ready another horse and a man equipt in the same way, and he takes over the letter or whatever it be, and is off full speed to the third station, where again a fresh horse is found all ready, and so the despatch speeds along from post to post, always at full gallop, with regular change of horses. And the speed at which they go is marvellous. By night, however, they cannot go so fast as by day, because they have to be accompanied by footmen with torches, who could not keep up with them at full speed.
Those men are highly prized; and they could never do it did they not bind hard the stomach, chest, and head with strong bands. And each of them carries with him a gerfalcon tablet, in sign that he is bound on an urgent express; so that if perchance his horse break down, or he meet with other mishap, whomsoever he may fall in with on the road, he is empowered to make him dismount and give up his horse. Nobody dares refuse in such a case; so that the courier hath always a good fresh nag to carry him.
Now all these numbers of post-horses cost the emperor nothing at all; and I will tell you the how and the why. Every city, or village, or hamlet that stands near one of these post-stations has a fixed demand made on it for as many horses as it can supply, and these it must furnish to the post. And in this way are provided all the posts of the cities, as well as the towns and villages round about them; only in uninhabited tracts the horses are furnished at the expense of the emperor himself.
How far all this was true, the children were then eager to know. But Uncle Fritz told them that, as to that, they must look at Col. Yule’s very interesting notes. And while they clustered around him and Laura, who had the second volume, all looking at the maps and pictures, Ellen Mahony came in and said that tea was on the table.
Col. Yule’s edition of Marco Polo was published by Murray, in London, in 1875. As has been said above, it should be in every public library which means to provide for intelligent readers.