________________
268
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[SEPTEMBER, 1881.
children. On the road he had run short of Yuan-shi, Chinghiz, before fighting with Wang provisions and been forced to subsist on the
Khân, wanted to secure the safety of Khasar's birds' eggs he found on the way." De Mailla wives and children, and he accordingly sent tells the same story."
two of his trusty dependents, who feigned to be The two brothers having met, consulted to Khasar's servants, and said the latter offered to gether, and arranged a plot to circumvent Wang submit himself with bound hands, if the Khân Khân. They agreed to send Khaliutar of the
would forget their recent quarrels and renew tribe Jaorid or Juriat, and Chaurkhân of the their old friendship. These words put Wang tribe Uriangkut, to him. They were to profess Khân off his guard. He sent back a bag of to have come from Khasar with the follow- blood with which to consecrate the oath of friending message: "I have not seen the shadow ship he was prepared to swear with Khasar." of my brother. I have traversed many roads, Rashidu'd-dîn tells the story at greater length. but have not met him; have called to him, He calls the place where Khasar had been living but he has not heard me. At night I have Karaun Chidun and his two messengers Khaslept with the earth for my pillow and with lindar the Juriat and Chaurkhan the Uriangthe stars overhead. My wife and children are kit, and reports their message as follows :in your hands; Father Khân, if you will send Juchi Khasar has sent us with this message - me a trusty man, I will come to you." Chinghiz "May it be well with my patron. My heart is bade the messengers go with this message, indeed full of my elder brother, my lord, and and told them he should order the camp to be yet I know not if I may be permitted to see raised and to be moved to the plain of Arkhal- him. Although I wish to unite myself closely gougi on the river Kerulon. Having made with thee, yet there is no way open for me to these arrangements, he ordered Jurchidai and do so? I have heard O Khân my Father! that Arkhai to lead, and pitched his camp with my wife and children are with thee. I have Khasar in the plain just mentioned."
already passed a long time on barren journeys The two messengers on their arrival delivered and arid pastures, my pillow has been the rock their master's message. Wang Khản had and hard clod, and I have wandered about only just erected a golden tent and was feasting. without friend or helper, I have the highest conOn hearing their story, he said "if this be fidence in thee, and that is why I have sent really so, then let Khasar come." He then sent these messengers to show thee my condition them back, and with them one of the most trusty and ask for my wife and children again that with of his people, Iturgian. On nearing the ap- all my belongings I may attach myself to thee." pointed rendezvous Iturgian noticed in the | As Wang Khân knew the messengers to be distance a number of figures and shadows. dependents of Khasar; as he also knew the Suspecting something, he halted, turned round unsettled condition of Chinghiz Khan's affairs and galloped towards home. Khaliutar, who and the miserable position of Khasar; he did rode a swifter horse, speedily overtook him, not suspect any treachery, but received the but not daring to touch him, merely blocked up messengers with special marks of favour, and the road, so that he could not proceed. There- when he dismissed them he also sent back with upon Chakhurkhân, who was on a heavier them one of his people called Iturgin, and horse, took aim and shot Iturgian's horse in the also sent some blood taken from his hand in a hip. The horse fell; and he then seized its rider horn, for, says Rashidu'd-dîn, it is the custom and took him to Chinghiz, who handed him with the Mongols to seal a compact by the over to Khasar with orders to kill him. His shedding of blood. The three companions set messengers informed Chinghiz that Wang out on their return, while Chinghiz Khân Khân was feasting, and that if he marched at the head of his army rode night and day speedily he might surprise him. He accord- to surprise his enemy. Presently Khalindar ingly ordered the army to set out, and toldsaw Chinghiz Khan's Tuk or standard in the Jurchidai and Arkhai to lead." According to the distance, and fearing that Iturgin, if he also saw
** Hyacinthe, p. 29; Douglas, p. 89. • Op. cit., tom. IX, p. 32. +6 Yuan-ch'ao-pi-shi, p. 96. "Id., 97.
Hyacinthe, pp. 29 and 30; Douglas, pp. 40 and 41. 40 Called Jarwergha Ilaghan by Erdmann. 50 Erdmann reads it Ayatürgan.
