The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 369 (Color Image)

0369	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2

CHAP. XIV. TIIE ISLAND OF SEILAN

313

of the mariners of those seas. But the north wind

there blows with such strength that it has caused

the sea to submerge a large part of the Island ; and

that is the reason why it is not so big now as it used

to be. For you must know that, on the side where

the north wind strikes, the Island is very low and

flat, insomuch that in approaching on board ship from

the high seas you do not see the land till you are

right upon it.2 Now I will tell you all about this

Island.

They have a king there whom they call SENDEMAIN,

and are tributary to nobody.' The people are Idolaters,

and go quite naked except that they cover the niiddle.

They have no wheat, but have rice, and sesamum of

which they make their oil. They live on flesh and

milk, and have tree-wine such as I have told you of.

And they have brazil-wood, much the best in the

world.4

Now I will quit these particulars, and tell you of

the most precious article that exists in the world.

You must know that rubies are found in this Island

and in no other country in the world but this. They

find there also sapphires and topazes and amethysts,

and many other stones of price. And the King of this

Island possesses a ruby which is the finest and biggest

in the world ; I will tell you what it is like. It is about

a palm in length, and as thick as a man's arm ; to look

at, it is the most resplendent object upon earth ; it is

quite free from flaw and as red as fire. Its value is so

great that a price for it in money could hardly be named

at all. You must know that the Great Kaan sent an

embassy and begged the King as a favour greatly

desired by him to sell him this ruby, offering to give for

it the ransom of a city, or in fact what the h ing would.

But the King replied that on no account whatever

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