However, at the end of those two years King Caidu assembled an army composed of a vast force of horsemen.  He knew that at Caracoron was the Great Kaan’s son NOMOGAN, and with him GEORGE, the grandson of Prester John.  These two princes had also a great force of cavalry.  And when King Caidu was ready he set forth and crossed the frontier.  After marching rapidly without any adventure, he got near Caracoron, where the Kaan’s son and the younger Prester John were awaiting him with their great army, for they were well aware of Caidu’s advance in force.  They made them ready for battle like valiant men, and all undismayed, seeing that they had more than 60,000 well-appointed horsemen.  And when they heard Caidu was so near they went forth valiantly to meet him.  When they got within some 10 miles of him they pitched their tents and got ready for battle, and the enemy who were about equal in numbers did the same; each side forming in six columns of 10,000 men with good captains.  Both sides were well equipped with swords and maces and shields, with bows and arrows, and other arms after their fashion.  You must know that the practice of the Tartars going to battle is to take each a bow and 60 arrows.  Of these, 30 are light with small sharp points, for long shots and following up an enemy, whilst the other 30 are heavy, with large broad heads which they shoot at close quarters, and with which they inflict great gashes on face and arms, and cut the enemy’s bowstrings, and commit great havoc.  This every one is ordered to attend to.  And when they have shot away their arrows they take to their swords and maces and lances, which also they ply stoutly.

So when both sides were ready for action the Naccaras began to sound loudly, one on either side.  For ’tis their custom never to join battle till the Great Naccara is beaten.  And when the Naccaras sounded, then the battle began in fierce and deadly style, and furiously the one host dashed to meet the other.  So many fell on either side that in an evil hour for both it was begun!  The earth was thickly strewn with the wounded and the slain, men and horses, whilst the uproar and din of battle was so loud you would not have heard God’s thunder!  Truly King Caidu himself did many a deed of prowess that strengthened the hearts of his people.  Nor less on the other side did the Great Kaan’s son and Prester John’s grandson, for well they proved their valour in the medley, and did astonishing feats of arms, leading their troops with right good judgment.

And what shall I tell you?  The battle lasted so long that it was one of the hardest the Tartars ever fought.  Either side strove hard to bring the matter to a point and rout the enemy, but to no avail.  And so the battle went on till vesper-tide, and without victory on either side.  Many a man fell there; many a child was made an orphan there; many a lady widowed; and many another woman plunged in grief and tears for the rest of her days, I mean the mothers and the araines of those who fell.[NOTE 2]