The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 321 (Color Image)

0321	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2

CHAP. V. THE COUNTRY CALLED CHAMBA 267

yearly tribute to the Great Kaan, which consists of

elephants and nothing but elephants. And I will tell

you how they carne to pay this tribute.

I t happened in the year of Christ 1278 that the Great

Kaan sent a Baron of his called, Sagatu with a great

force of horse and foot against this King of Chamba, and

this Baron opened the war on a great scale against the

King and his country.

Now the King [whose name was Accambale] was a

very aged man, nor had he such a force as the Baron

had. And when he saw what havoc the Baron was

making with his kingdom he was grieved to the heart.

So he bade messengers get ready and despatched them

to the Great Kaan. And they said to the Kaan : " Our

Lord the King of Chamba salutes you as his liege-lord,

and would have you to know that he is stricken in years

and long hath held his realm in peace. And now he

sends you word by us that he is willing to be your liege-

man, and will send you every year a tribute of as many

elephants as you please. And he prays you in all gentle-

ness and humility that you would send word to your

Baron to desist from harrying his kingdom and to quit

his territories. These shall henceforth be at your

absolute disposal, and the King shall hold them of you."

When the Great Kaan had heard the King's

ambassage he was moved with pity, and sent word to

that Baron of his to quit that kingdom with his army,

and to carry his arms to the conquest of some other

country ; and as soon as this command reached them

they obeyed it. Thus it was then that this King

became vassal of the Great Kaan, and paid him every

year a tribute of 20 of the greatest and finest elephants

that were to be found in the country.

BUt now we will leave that matter, and tell you other

particulars about the King of Chamba.

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