The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 521 (Color Image)

0521	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2

CHAP. II. BATTLES BETWEEN CAIDU AND THE KAAN

461

So when both sides were ready for action the

Naccaras began to sound loudly, one on either side.

For 'tis their custom never to join battle till the Great

Naccara is beaten. And when the Naccaras sounded,

then the battle began in fierce and deadly style, and

furiously the one host dashed to meet the other. So

many fell on either side that in an evil hour for both it

was begun ! The earth was thickly strewn with the

wounded and the slain, men and horses, whilst the uproar

and din of battle was so loud you would not have heard

God's thunder ! Truly King Caidu himself did many a

deed of prowess that strengthened the hearts of his

people. Nor less on the other side did the Great Kaan's

son and Prester John's grandson, for well they proved

their valour in the medley, and did astonishing feats

of arms, leading their troops with right good judg-

ment.

And what shall I tell you ? The battle lasted so long

that it was one of the hardest the Tartars ever fought.

Either side strove hard to bring the matter to a point

and rout the enemy, but to no avail. And so the battle

went on till vesper-tide, and without victory on either side.

Many a man fell there ; many a child was made an

orphan there ; many a lady widowed ; and many another

woman plunged in grief and tears for the rest of her

days, I mean the mothers and the amines of those who

fe11.2

So when they bad fought till the sun was low they

left off, and retired each side to its tents. Those who

were unhurt were so dead tired that they were like to

drop, and the wounded, who were many on both sides,

were moaning in their various degrees of pain ; but all

were more fit for rest than fighting, so gladly they took

their repose that night. And when morning approached,

King Caidu, who had news from his scouts that the

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