"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
performed, so that people said, "Now will be the second coming of
Christ and the end of the world."