114 



HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



large. The inhabitants have fair complexions, are civilized in 

 their manners, though their religion is idolatry. They have gold 

 in the greatest abundance, but its exportation is forbidden. The 

 entire roof of the sovereign's palace is stated to be covered with 

 a plating of gold, as we cover churches and other buildings with 

 lead. So famous is the wealth of this island that Kublai Khan 

 was fired with the desire of annexing it to his dominions. He 

 sent out a numerous fleet and a powerful army; but a violent 

 storm dispersed and wrecked the ships, and thirty thousand men 

 were thrown upon a desert island a few miles from Cipango. 

 They expected nothing but death or captivity, as they could 

 obtain no means of subsistence. Being attacked from Cipango, 

 they got in the rear of the enemy, took possession of their fleet, 

 and put off for the main island. They kept the colors flying 

 from the masts, and entered the chief city unsuspected. All 

 the inhabitants were gone except the women. They took pos- 

 session, but were closely besieged for six months, until, despair- 

 ing of relief, they surrendered, on condition of their lives being 

 spared. This took place in the year 1284." Such was the first 

 intelligence of the island of Japan which ever reached the ears 

 of Europeans. 



After a stay of seventeen years in China, Marco and his com- 

 panions resolved to make an attempt to return to their native 

 land. Kublai Khan, however, was unwilling to part with them ; 

 and they owed their final release to a circumstance wholly unex- 

 pected. An embassy from Persia had visited Pekin, and had 

 selected one of Kublai's grand-daughters for the wife of their 

 prince. They set out with her on their journey to Persia, but, 

 after meeting with incredible obstacles, were obliged to return to 

 the Chinese capital. Marco had, at this time, just returned from 

 a voyage among the islands of the Indian Sea, and had laid be- 

 fore the khan his observations upon the feasibility of navigation 

 in those waters. The ambassadors sought an interview with 

 Marco Polo, and found that they had all a common interest, — 



