- "Then come mummers leading lions, which they cause to salute the
Lord with reverence." (Odoric, p. 143.) A lion sent by Mirza Baisangar,
one of the Princes of Timur's House, accompanied Shah Rukh's embassy as
a present to the Emperor; and like presents were frequently repeated.
(See Amyot, XIV. 37, 38.)
CHAPTER XVII.
HOW THE GREAT KAAN ENJOINETH HIS PEOPLE TO SUPPLY HIM WITH GAME.
The three months of December, January, and February, during which the
Emperor resides at his Capital City, are assigned for hunting and fowling,
to the extent of some 40 days' journey round the city; and it is ordained
that the larger game taken be sent to the Court. To be more particular: of
all the larger beasts of the chase, such as boars, roebucks, bucks, stags,
lions, bears, etc., the greater part of what is taken has to be sent, and
feathered game likewise. The animals are gutted and despatched to the
Court on carts. This is done by all the people within 20 or 30 days'
journey, and the quantity so despatched is immense. Those at a greater
distance cannot send the game, but they have to send the skins after
tanning them, and these are employed in the making of equipments for the
Emperor's army.[NOTE 1]
NOTE 1. - So Magaillans: "Game is so abundant, especially at the capital,
that every year during the three winter months you see at different
places, intended for despatch thither, besides great piles of every sort
of wildfowl, rows of four-footed game of a gunshot or two in length:
![The Travels Of Marco Polo - Volume 1 Of 2 By Marco Polo And Rustichello Of Pisa
- 'Bulgas galli sacculos scorteos vocant.' - H. C.]
NOTE 3. - Then come mummers leading lions, which they cause to salute - Page 1135](../images/travel.jpg)
