They travelled over land and water and desert, and had many hardships and dangers to encounter; but finally they reached the city of Cambalu (which was discovered in the seventeenth century to be Pekin), after a journey of four years! When the Khan heard that they were coming, he sent people to meet them a month and a half before they arrived, and directed that they should be received with every possible honor.
At last they reached the royal city, and were conducted at once to the Khan, before whom they prostrated themselves, after the fashion of the country; then they were invited to a magnificent banquet. The throne, which stood on a platform at the head of the long table, sparkled and glittered with precious gems; and on this was seated the monarch of Cathay, sparkling and glittering likewise in his festal robes, with his four wives around him, and a long string of attendants for each of the ladies.
Everybody who was considered to be in good society in Cambalu was present at this feast of welcome to the returned travellers; and jewels, and plumes, and gold, and precious stones, and brilliant colors, and beautiful faces were mingled together in bewildering confusion. After the company had left the table, jugglers and acrobats and musicians were brought in to entertain them; and very likely the tired strangers were glad enough when it was all over, and they could retire in peace to the splendid palace that had been arranged with every imaginable luxury, and hosts of servants to wait upon them and do their bidding.
The next day they presented the generous monarch with the Pope's letter, and a small bottle filled with the oil used for the silver lamps in the chapel of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. The Khan saw, from the reverent manner of the travellers, that this oil must possess rare virtues, and he received it with much gratitude. He was an intelligent man, and he asked many questions about their journey, and about matters and things in Europe, the Polos having become well acquainted with the Mongol language during their former stay, so that they could talk without an interpreter. His Royal Highness was particularly pleased with Marco, and said that he would give him an important position at once in his household.
The young man immediately began to study the language, laws, and customs of this strange country, that he might be able to perform the duties of his office, and the Khan soon had such confidence in him that he sent him on affairs of importance all over the empire.
It was in this way that Marco Polo learned so much about Cathay, and the book of travels which he wrote was read for a long time with the greatest interest. Now it is looked upon as an ancient relic; and the pictures are particularly funny. In one of them is a representation of the Khan in a portable room carried on the backs of four elephants, which are shaped very much like pigs, and have gorgeous rosettes on their backs, supposed to be intended for saddles. A crowd of people gaze with awe upon their sovereign as he is borne triumphantly along in this very novel manner, the front side of the room being open, so that all can see him.
Another picture, which is intended for an elephant hunt, represents the elephants shorter than the horses on which the hunters ride and shoot at them with bows and arrows—as though elephants would mind that!—while the trees seem to be growing on the elephants' backs.
Khubla Khan was at war with the sovereigns of the provinces south of his kingdom, and his friends the Polos were of great use to him by showing him how to make and use the European machines, called catapults, for hurling immense stones against the walls and towers of besieged cities. These were highly thought of before the invention of artillery.
The monarch was very much delighted, and as soon as the machines were ready he sent the learned Venetians to head a fresh attack upon the important city of Sa-yan-fu. The banner of Khubla Khan was soon waving above the crushed walls, and the Polos were liberally rewarded with wealth and honors. Marco, who was the Khan's especial favorite, was made a noble of the empire, with a more magnificent palace and a larger retinue than ever.
After spending seventeen years of this exciting life, the Polos longed to see their native city again; but the monarch, who was now an old man, would not consent to part with them. Fortunately, however, for the homesick visitors, the Khan's granddaughter was to marry the King of Persia, and started on her journey to that country; but after travelling for eight months, the Princess and her attendants found that many of the provinces through which they had to pass were at war, and they turned back to Cambalu.