ather, why suspect me of ambition? I have not said,
'My part is too small, I want a greater;' or 'It is a bad one, I want
a better.' When one wheel of a cart breaks, and the ox tries to drag
it, it only hurts its neck. If we then detach the ox, and leave the
vehicle, the thieves come and take the load. If we do not unyoke it,
the ox will die of hunger. Am I not one wheel of thy chariot?"

With this letter Temudjin sent a request that the black gelding of
Mukuli Bahadur, with its embroidered and plated saddle and bridle,
which had been lost on the day of their struggle, might be restored to
him; he also asked that messengers might be sent to treat for a peace
between them. Another letter was sent to his uncle Kudshir, and to his
cousin Altun.

This letter is interesting, because it perhaps preserves for us some
details of what took place at the accession of Genghis. It is well
known that the Mongol Khan affected a coy resistance when asked to
become chief. The letter runs thus: "You conspired to kill me, yet
from the beginning did I tell the sons of Bartam Bahadur (_i.e._, his
grandfather), as well as Satcha (his cousin), and Taidju (his uncle).
Why does our territory on the Onon remain without a master? I tried to
persuade you to rule over our tribes. You refused. I was troubled. I
said to you, 'Kudshir, son of Tekun Taishi, be our khan.' You did not
listen to me; and to you, Altun, I said, 'You are the son of Kutluk
Khan, who was our ruler. You be our khan.' You also refused, and when
you pressed it on me, saying, 'Be you our chief,' I submitted to your
request, and promised to preserve the heritage and customs of our
fathers. Did I intrigue for power? I was elected unanimously to
prevent the country, ruled over by our fathers near the three rivers,
passing to strangers. As chief of a numerous people, I thought it
proper to make presents to those attached to me. I captured many
herds, yurts, women, and children, which I gave you. I enclosed for
you the game of the steppe, and drove toward you the mountain game.
You now serve Wang Khan, but you ought to know that he is fickle. You
see how he has treated me. He will treat you even worse."

Wang Khan was disposed to treat, but his son Sengun said matters had
gone too far, and they must fight it out. We now find Wang Khan
quarrelling with several of his dependents, whom he accused of
conspiring against him. Temudjin's intrigues were probably at the
bottom of the matter.