[4] The title _Chao_ in _Nan-Chao_ (_infra_, p. 79) is said by a Chinese author (Pauthier, p. 391) to signify _King_ in the language of those barbarians. This is evidently the _Chao_ which forms an essential part of the title of all Siamese and Shan princes. [Regarding the word _Nan-Chao_, Mr. Parker (_China Review_, XX. p. 339) writes “In the barbarian tongue ‘prince’ is _Chao_,” says the Chinese author; and there were six _Chao_, of which the _Nan_ or Southern was the leading power. Hence the name Nan-Chao ... it is hardly necessary for me to say that _chao_ or _kyiao_ is still the Shan-Siamese word for ‘prince.’” Pallegoix (_Dict._ p. 85) has _Chào_, Princeps, rex.—H. C.] [5] _Gandhára_, Arabicé _Ḳandahár_, is properly the country about Peshawar, _Gandaritis_ of Strabo. [6] This is printed almost in full in the French _Voyage d’Exploration_, I. 564. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [A] Marco Polo nowhere calls the river “Gold River,” the name he gives it is _Brius_.—H. Y. CHAPTER XLIX. CONCERNING A FURTHER PART OF THE PROVINCE OF CARAJAN. After leaving that city of Yachi of which I have been speaking, and travelling ten days towards the west, you come to another capital city which is still in the province of Carajan, and is itself called Carajan. The people are Idolaters and subject to the Great Kaan; and the King is COGACHIN, who is a son of the Great Kaan.{1} In this country gold-dust is found in great quantities; that is to say in the rivers and lakes, whilst in the mountains gold is also found in pieces of larger size. Gold is indeed so abundant that they give one _saggio_ of gold for only six of the same weight in silver. And for small change they use porcelain shells as I mentioned before. These are not found in the country, however, but are brought from India.{2} In this province are found snakes and great serpents of such vast size as to strike fear into those who see them, and so hideous that the very account of them must excite the wonder of those to hear it. I will tell you how long and big they are. You may be assured that some of them are ten paces in length; some are more and some less. And in bulk they are equal to a great cask, for the bigger ones are about ten palms in girth. They have two forelegs near the head, but for foot nothing but a claw like the claw of a hawk or that of a lion. The head is very big, and the eyes are bigger than a great loaf of bread. The mouth is large enough to swallow a man whole, and is garnished with great [pointed] teeth. And in short they are so fierce-looking and so hideously ugly, that every man and beast must stand in fear and trembling of them. There are also smaller ones, such as of eight paces long, and of five, and of one pace only.