The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 520 (Color Image)

0520	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2

46o

MARCO POLO BOOK IV.

good horses. So King Caidu returned home swelling

the more with pride and arrogance, and for the next two

years he remained at peace, and made no further war

against the Kaan.

However, at the end of those two years King Caidu

assembled an army composed of a vast force of horsemen.

He knew that at Caracoron was the Great Kaan's son

NOMOGAN, and with him GEORGE, the grandson of Prester

John. These two princes had also a great force of

cavalry. And when King Caidu was ready he set forth

and crossed the frontier. After marching rapidly without

any adventure, he got near Caracoron, where the

Kaan's son and the younger Prester John were awaiting

him with their great army, for they were well aware of

Caidu's advance in force. They made them ready for

battle like valiant men, and all undismayed, seeing that

they had more than 6o,000 well-appointed horsemen.

And when they heard Caidu was so near they went forth

valiantly to meet him. When they got within some Io

miles of him they pitched their tents and got ready for

battle, and the enemy who were about equal in numbers

did the same ; each side forming in six columns of I o,000

men with good captains. Both sides were well equipped

with swords and maces and shields, with bows and

arrows, and other arms after their fashion. You must

know that the practice of the Tartars going to battle is to

take each a bow and 6o arrows. Of these, 3o are light

with small sharp points, for long shots and following up

an enemy, whilst the other 3o are heavy, with large

broad heads which they shoot at close quarters, and with

which they inflict great gashes on face and arms, and cut

the enemy's bowstrings, and commit great havoc. This

eves y one is ordered to attend to. And when they have

shot away their arrows they take to their swords and

maces and lances, which also they ply stoutly.

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