TARTAR WARRIORS. 241

century, they had only one city— Karrakoroum—
situated on the Orgon, in the country subsequently
the residence of the Grand Lama. In short, they
looked upon all the world as their own, and, disliking
all neighbours and rivals, were frequently engaged
in war, which they deemed the sole occupation
worthy of their attention.

As warriors, the Tartars early proved themselves
most formidable. Their valour and discipline were
remarkable; and they had neither baggage nor pro-
visions to encumber their marches. While the skins
of sheep or bears served them for clothing, they made
a little hardened milk, diluted with water, suffice
them for food. On horseback, they were as much at
home as a sea king on the deck of his war-ship, and
their seat was so easy and firm, that they were in
the habit of eating, and even sleeping, without taking
the trouble to dismount. They fought with lance
and bow, reared machines of terrible power; and
all the stratagems of war were familiar to them.
They excelled in the art of fighting while flying;
and, with them, retreat was often the signal for
victory.

It was in the twelfth century that Gheniskhan was
elected by the Tartars as their ruler, and that, under
his leadership, they struck terror into the surround-
ing nations. Under Gheniskhan, the Tartars made
themselves masters of China, and the empire of
Karismia; and, during the reign of his son Octal,
they added Turkistan and India and Persia to their
conquests. Moreover, at that time, they turned their
eyes westward ; and, having crossed the Volga, they