strange Chinese land.

"But there's no use to me going there," says he. "I couldn't marry
her. She would laugh at me," he says. "She, who refused the son of
the King of Siam, with his hundred princes on a hundred elephants, what
use would she have for me, who's no better nor a peddler with his pack?
But it would be worth walking the world barefoot for to see that little
golden face, to hear the low, sweet voice they call Golden Bells."

They came back in due time, his uncle Matthew, the red, hairy man, and
his father, the thin, dark man, who knew precious stones. And he told
them he wanted to go with them when they made their next expedition to
China.

"We could be using you, after your training in trade," says the father.
But Marco Polo would take no interest in barter. "Sure, you'd better
come along," says his uncle Matthew. "There's great sport to be had on
the road, kissing and courting the foreign women and not a word of
language between you, barring a smile and a laugh."

"I have no interest in the foreign women, Uncle Matthew."

"Then it's the horses you've been hearing about, the fine Arab horses
faster nor the wind, and the little Persian ponies they do be playing
polo on, and the grand Tatar hunters that can jump the heighth of a
man, and they sure-footed as a goat. Ah, the horses, the bonny horses!"

"Ah, sure, Uncle Matthew, 'tis little I know of horses. Sure, I know
all about boats, racing and trade and war boats, but a horse is not kin
to me."

"Then what the hell's the use of your going to China?"

"Ah, sure, that's the question I'm asking myself, Uncle Matthew. But I
have to go. I do so. There is something calling me, Uncle Matthew--a
bell in my ear, father's brother, and there's a ringing bell in my
heart."

CHAPTER VI

I shall now tell you how it came about that Marco Polo went to China
with his uncle and father, though he had no eye for a bargain, or
interest in courting foreign women, or sense of horses.

Now, as you may know, this was a great religious time. The Crusaders,
feeling shame that the Sepulchre of the Lord Jesus should be in Saracen
hands, had come with horse, foot and artillery to Palestine to give
tribute of arms to Him who had died for them on the Bitter Tree. And
great feats were performed and grand battles won. And kings became
saints, like Louis of France, and saints became kings, like Baldwin of
Constantinople. Mighty wonders were seen and miracles per