The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 54 (Color Image)

0054	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2

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2 2 MARCO POLO

BOOK II.

ÍI

henceforth thou shalt be waited on and honourably

treated." So he caused horses and harness of war to

be given him, with a goodly train, and sent him back

to his own country. And after that he remained ever

friendly to Prester John, and held fast by him.

So now I will say no more of this adventure of the

Golden Kingb, but I will proceed with our subject.

CHAPTER XL.

CONCERNING THE GREAT RIVER CARAMORAN AND THE CITY OF

CACI-IANFU.

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WHEN you leave the castle, and travel about 20 miles

westward, you come to a river called CARAMORAN, so

big that no bridge can be thrown across it ; for it is of

immense width and depth, and reaches to the Great

Ocean that encircles the Universe, —I mean the whole

earth. On this river there are many cities and walled

towns, and many merchants too .therein, for much traffic

takes place upon the river, there being a great deal of

ginger and a great deal of silk produced in the country.'

Game birds here are in wonderful abundance, inso-

much that you may buy at least three pheasants for a

Venice groat of silver. I should say rather for an asj5er,

which is worth a little more.'

[On the lands adjoining this river there grow vast

quantities of great. canes, some of which are a foot or a

foot and a half (in girth), and these the natives employ

p Y

for many useful purposes.]

After passing the river and travelling two days west-

ward Y

you come to the noble city of CACHANFU, which we

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