275, ccxlv.)
Many strange sayings have been unduly ascribed to our traveller, but I
remember none stranger than this by Colonel Tod: "Marco Polo calls
Cashgar, where he was in the 6th century, the birthplace of the Swedes"!
(Rajasthan, I. 60.) Petis de la Croix and Tod between them are
answerable for this nonsense. (See The Hist. of Genghizcan the Great, p.
116.)
On cotton, see ch. xxxvi. - On Nestorians, see Kanchau.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
OF THE GREAT CITY OF SAMARCAN.
Samarcan is a great and noble city towards the north-west, inhabited by
both Christians and Saracens, who are subject to the Great Kaan's nephew,
CAIDOU by name; he is, however, at bitter enmity with the Kaan.[NOTE 1]
I will tell you of a great marvel that happened at this city.
[Illustration: View of Samarcand. (From a sketch by Mr. Ivanoff.)
"Samarcan est une grandisme cite et noble."]
It is not a great while ago that SIGATAY, own brother to the Great Kaan,
who was Lord of this country and of many an one besides, became a
Christian.[NOTE 2] The Christians rejoiced greatly at this, and they built
a great church in the city, in honour of John the Baptist; and by his name
the church was called. And they took a very fine stone which belonged to
the Saracens, and placed it as the pedestal of a column in the middle of
the church, supporting the roof.
![The Travels Of Marco Polo - Volume 1 Of 2 By Marco Polo And Rustichello Of Pisa
- This does not agree
with Rashid's statements about the boundary between Kaidu's territory and
the Khan's. - H. C.]
Kashgar was - Page 725](../images/travel.jpg)
