The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 465 (Color Image)

0465	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2

CHAP. XXXII. THE ISLAND OF SCOTRA 407

and as it is a great object of trade, the people contrive

to take the whales with barbed iron darts, which, once

they are fixed in the body, cannot come out again. A

long cord is attached to this end, to that a small buoy

which floats on the surface, so that when the whale dies

they know where to find it. They then draw the body

ashore and extract the ambergris from the stomach and

the oil from the head.'

There is a great deal of trade there, for many ships

come from all quarters with goods to sell to the natives.

The merchants also purchase gold there, by which they

make a great profit ; and all the vessels bound for Aden

touch at this Island.

Their Archbishop has nothing to do with the Pope of

Rome, but is subject to the great Archbishop who lives

at Baudas. He rules over the Bishop of that Island,

and over many other Bishops in those regions of the

world, just as our Pope does in these.'

A multitude of corsairs frequent the Island ; they

come there and encamp and put up their plunder to sale ;

and this they do to good profit, for the Christians of the

Island purchase it, knowing well that it is Saracen or

Pagan gear.'

And you must know that in this Island there are the

best enchanters in the world. It is true that their Arch-

bishop forbids the practice to the best of his ability ; but

'tis all to no purpose, for they insist that their forefathers

followed it, and so must they also. I will give you a

sample of their enchantments. Thus, if a ship be sailing

past with a fair wind and a strong, they will raise a

contrary wind and compel her to turn back. In fact

they make the wind blow as they list, and produce great

tempests and disasters ; and other such sorceries they

perform, which it will be better to say nothing about in

our Book.4

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