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360
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DECEMBER, 1881.
My father has not hitherto travelled as far as a woman with child goes when she seeks a comfortable place or a calf on its way to the manger, therefore he is afraid," and he ordered these words to be repeated to Tayang. When the latter heard that his son had compared him to a woman, he said, “Oh strong and brave Guchuluk. Mind that in this fight your bravery does not dissolve into feebleness." Meanwhile one of his officers named Khorisu- bichi, the same who had killed Wang Khân, said to Tayang, “Your father Inanchabilge, when fighting against an equal enemy, never shewed him his back nor that of his horse, why are you afraid beforehand? You had better let your mother, Gurbyessu, command the army. Although a woman she would do better than this. It is a pity Keksiusabrakh should have grown old and the discipline of our troops should have so weakened. Assuredly good fortune has overtaken the Dada."** Having said this, he struck his quiver* and quitted Tayang's presence. Tayang was naturally angry and said, "The life of a dead man, and a body devoted to suffering are the same. Be it as you wish, let us meet our enemies and fight." He therefore set out down the river Tamir (i. e. the well-known western tributary of the Orkhon) and having crossed the Orkho i.e. the Orkhon), arrived at the eastern flank of the mountain Nakhu(?) and the place Chakurmait(?). When the scouts of Chinghiz reported the enemy's army in sight, he placed his army in order of battle. He undertook the command of the van himself, gave his brother, Khasar, the command of the centre, and Ochigin of the rear guard. Mean. while the Naimans disposed themselves along the precipitous sides of the mountain Nakhu, and their patrols were driven in right up to the mountain. At this time Chamukha was with the Naimans, and Tayang asked him, “Who are these pursuing our men like wolves when they chase a flock of sheep right up to the very sheep fold ?" Chamukha replied, "They are four hounds belonging to Temujin which have been fed on human flesh, and whom he fastens with an iron chain. These dogs have brazen foreheads, hewn-out teeth, awl-shaped tongues, iron heads, instead of horsewhips, they have crooked swords. They drink the dew, ride on the wind,
and in battle eat human flesh. They are now unchained and set free; their mouths water, they rejoice. These four hounds are Chebe, Khubilai, Jelmi, and Subeitai." Tayang replied, "If this be so let us withdraw further away from this ignoble race." He accordingly withdrew along the mountain, and presently halted, and said " Who are those detachments following the others like young colts which, having sucked enongh milk, frisk round and round their mother P" Chamukha answered: “They are the two tribes Uruut and Mankhut who kill all the men bearing sword and spear and strip them of their clothes." Tayang replied, " Then let us retire still further from this ignoble people," and ordered his men to scale the mountain still higher. Again stopping, he asked Chamukha, “Who is that coming on behind bearing forward like a hungry vulture." Chamukha said, "That is my friend Temujin dressed from head to foot in iron mail. He flew hither like a hungry vulture. Do you see him ? You used to say that should the Dada show themselves their skin and hoof should be stripped like those of a sheep. Look now." Tayang only muttered "Dreadful!" and gave orders to withdraw still higher up the mountain Again he asked, "Who is that behind with the multitude of warriors" That, said Chamukha, is the son of Khoilun, who was reared on human flesh. His body is thrice the size of other men. He can eat a three-year-old sheep at a single meal. He is dressed in three suite of mail, and was borne here by three strong bulls. He can swallow & whole man equipped with his bow and arrows without him sticking in his throat. He can eat a whole man and is not satisfied. When he is wroth he can pierce 10 or 20 men over a mountain with the arrow Anchua. When any one begins to fight with him, he shoots the arrow Koibur, and even across a wide desert it will bring down a man in armour. With his big bow he can hit a man at 900 paces, and with his little bow at 500 paces. He is not like ordinary men, but resembles a huge snake. He is called "Jochikhasar." Tayang said "If this be so, let us scale a high mountain together." Again he asked “Who is that behind all P" Chamukha said, "That is the youngest of all the sons of Khoilun, named Ochigin, he is lazy and likes to
* A euphemism for a latrine. *T 1. e., & mode of presenting arms.
1. e. The Tartars.
Palladius says the Anchua and Koibur were some kind of unknown legendary Arrows: op.cit., note 394.
