Page:Christianity in China, Tartary, and Thibet Volume I.djvu/349

Rh Egyptian soldiers, the mortal enemies of the monks, they retraced their steps, and confided the despatches, with which they had been entrusted, to the Venetians.

After spending three years and a half on the journey, the Polo family at last arrived in China, at the court of which country, they were received with the most lively manifestations of satisfaction, and the utmost honour. The emperor praised the zeal and fidelity of his ambassadors, made them give him a minute account of the affairs of the Christians, and the sovereign pontiff; read with interest all the letters that were addressed to him, and exhibited the greatest delight on seeing the holy oil which he had asked for, giving orders to his servants to have it preserved with the utmost veneration. He then noticed young Marco, and asked who he was. "Sire," replied Nicolo Polo, "he is my son and your servant." "He is welcome," said Kublai. He then gave orders for the preparation of a magnificent banquet, during which, the three poor Venetians had, no doubt, to submit to the most extraordinary questioning about the men and things of the West, since the Tartars, whose curiosity is insatiable, never hesitate in the slightest degree in questioning strangers. People who have travelled much are themselves, frequently enough, over eager to tell stories about their travels; but the pitiless fury of these questioners is something beyond conception.

Marco Polo was allowed to take up his abode at court. He applied himself with ardour to the study VOL. I.