________________
OCTOBER, 1883.]
CHINGHIZ KHÅN AND HIS ANCESTORS.
287
said the swan lays her eggs in the cane brake, trusting to the canes, and thus allows the evil bird khuto (?) to kill its young and eat its eggs, and destroy its nest. My Bogdo Edsen, Listen to my words." Chinghiz therenpon turned to his nobles, and asked them if they understood what he meant. They said they did not, whereupon he explained as follows:"The tree sala represents my friends, the bird salbar myself, the predatory bird, sar, the Solongod, the eggs and chicks, are my wife and children, the nest my grand empire. Again, the cane-brake represents my people, the swan myself, the khulo the Solongod, the eggs and fledglings my wife and children, the nest my grand empire." Having said this he marched the army towards home. He presently began to say :-"I am ashamed to meet Burte, my wife, whom I met in my younger days. If I go home with another family how can I prevent a broil at home when the two houses meet ? If there is a disturbance in the presence of strangers I shall be ashamed and disgraced. It will be better to send on one of my orluks to have a preliminary interview with my family." Mu-khu-li was accordingly chosen. Having arrived he bowed to the em- press, and sat down. Burte asked him abont the health of Chinghiz, and also inquired about his errand, upon which Mu-khu-li said he had been sent with the following message :-
"He has not obeyed the laws that rule us, but has been wilful. He has not taken the advice of his nobles, bat has been allured by the outward attractions of the panther skin yurt. The Bogdo Edsen has united himself on the pillow with Khulun." Thereupon Burte said :“He depends on his own will, and not on the Mongol people." It is said there are many geese on the river Irtish, but my Edsen knows how many it is necessary to shoot, so as to sustain life. There are many women and maidens in great empires, but my lord knows whom to choose. It is said there are many gwans in the cane-brakes, my lord knows how long he can shoot at them without growing weary. It is
said that a man who has a big finger will hit both the ground and the duck with his arrow, and a husband if he likes can marry two sisters. Does a wild unridden horse wish himself to be saddled ? Does the first wife wish her husband to take a second wife? It is bad to have too much. Is not too little also bad ? In a double suit of clothes it is said you won't be cold, and a twisted rope will not break."
Mu-khu-li returned with this message, whereupon Chinghiz returned home again.
After Chinghiz arrived, Arghassan Khorchin got drunk with arsi," and he entered the golden tent i.e. Chinghiz Khân's tent, and slept in it. Ssanang Setzen says he used his golden lute, but
golden lute' seems to be a euphemism for the Khân's tent. For this offence Chinghiz ordered Boghorchi and Mu-khu-li to go and find him, and gave a sign with his hand that they were not to let him speak, but to kill him. They went to him, and said :-“We have been sent by the ruler and ordered by the movement of his hand to put you to death. He would take no. excuse, since you have got drunk and slept in his golden lute." Arghassun replied:-" It is said you ought always to listen to the words of those sentenced to death. It is said a dying man should always express his last sentiments."
On hearing this they did not kill him. Holding at his breast wine,"s prepared for the commander, and under his arm wine for the tribunal, they took him to Chinghiz, who was asleep." They then repaired to the tent, and said "In thy bright chamber there is already light. By the grace of God thy boys and girls shall be good and domestic. The accused are already assembled. Order them to disperse by thy great command." In thy jasper palaceglory is already effulgent, order the doors to be opened ; the unfortunate and the suffering are already assembled, condescend to order them to disperse by giving thy jewel-like orders." When they had spoken thas, Chinghiz rose and they entered the tent, taking Arghassun with them. Chinghiz the tent, taking Argha did not speak, no more did they; whereupon
09 Ssanang Setzen has this phrase: "The will of Burte Jujin Khatun as well as the wish of the whole people are subject to the might of our lord. It depends on his own will whom he shall befriend, and to whom unite himself."
03 A custom disapproved of among the Mongols. 9. P Airak. 95 P Kumis, & skin. * Shanang Sotzen says they gave him two leather
bottles filled with strong drink. 3 i.e. show thy clemency.
Ssanang Setzen reports their speech thus "The light already shines in thy bright dwelling. He who has offended thee is without; and awaits thy oommands; when your effulgent person shall have awoke and risen, condescend to open the door, to hear and judge the repentant culprit and to exercise your favour and clemency."
