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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
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To Boroul he said, "My mother adopted you with Shigikhutukhu, Guchu, and Kokochu as her children, when you had been found in deserted camps. She fed and petted you and prepared you to be companions of men and to be companions for us her children. You have already not a little repaid my mother's good nature. Boroul having become my companion in the most dangerous battles, in the most difficult times, you never allowed me to want food or drink, nor to pass my nights in hunger. When we destroyed the Tartars, one of them named Khargilshila escaped by flight, and having no food came to my mother's house and asked for food and clothing. Upon which she bade him seat himself, and he sat down by the door to the west of it. At that moment my five-year old child Tului entered the tent and went out again. As he came out Khargil seized him under the arms, and went out and drew his knife. At that time Altan, Boroul's wife, who was seating on the eastern side of the tent, ran out and seized Khargil by the hair and pulled down the hand which held the knife. Jedai and Jelmi claimed to have done the greater service in the affair. 'If we had not arrived,' they said, 'you a woman all alone could not have overcome him and he would have killed Tului.' Altan replied that, if she had not called out they would not have come, and if she had not seized him by the hair and wrenched the knife from him, Tului would have been dead before they arrived. In this dispute Altan, Boroul's wife, had the best of it,' says our sententious authority. Again, during the fight with Wang Khan in the district of Khalkhaljit, Ogedai was wounded in the mouth by an arrow. Boroul sucked the coagulated blood from the wound, and saved his life. Thus in return for the kindness of my mother he has saved the lives of two of my sons. In the most difficult circumstances he has never been idle. I absolve him from punishment 'till he has committed nine offences." Chinghiz also said he would reward women."
3588
To the old man Usun he said, "Usun, Khunan, Kokososi and Diegai never deceived
5 i. e. his son Ogotai.
53 Id., p. 122.
Palladius (note 462) suggests that in the tonic text of the Yuan-chao-pi-shi these rewards were enumerated, but they are not mentioned in the text he translated.
[MAY, 1882.
me, and always told me what was passing in their hearts."
By the recent regulations, i. e. probably by the Yasa or code of laws recently promulgated the title Beki has become one of great honour. "Usun, you are the senior descendant of Baalin;55 you ought to be Beki. When you become a Beki, ride on a white horse, clothe yourself in white clothes, and in the assemblies take the highest place. Choose a propitious month and year. May you be honoured and respected."""
Chinghiz then went on to say, "Khuildar was the first to volunteer to fight. For this valour may his descendants share in the alms given to widows and orphans."
To Nalintaolin, son of Chakhankhoa, he said, "Your father served me faithfully and perished at the battle of Talanbaljut through Jamukha. Receive therefore the alms due to orphans." Taolin replied, "My people the Negus are scattered in many camps. I should like to collect them together." He told him he might do so, and appointed that he and his heirs should rule over them in succession. To Skohanshira he said, "In my childhood when Tarkhutai Kiriltuk with the people Taijut took me prisoner you and your son concealed me in your house, ordered your daughter Khadaan to wait upon me and let me depart. This service of yours I remembered day and night, but it is only lately you have joined me. And I have not been able to reward you until now. What would you like to have?" He and his son replied, "We should like to be allowed to pitch our tents according to our pleasure in the Merkit country of Selinga. As to the rest, decide yourself how to reward us." Chinghiz replied "Be it as you wish. Pitch your tents where you will in that country. In addition let your descendants carry bows and arrows and have each a separate cup," and let them be forgiven until they have committed nine offences." To the children of Chilaun and Chinbo he said, "How shall I forget the words you once spoke to me? Whenever you lack anything which your souls cannot obtain, come to me yourselves and ask me." He said
55 i, e. of Baarin.
sa The title Beki was given to the leader or senior of a tribe.
5 1d., pp. 122, 123.
i. e. probably in the royal feasts.
