ging one God, the sovereign
of heaven, but reserving their worship for the genii, who, as they
believed, followed their steps, and watched over the safety of their
families. They moved from place to place, despising agriculture, and not
deigning to build. Even as late as the twelfth 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
provisions 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 surrounding nations. Under Gheniskhan, the Tartars made themselves
masters of China, and the empire of Karismia; and, during the reign of
his son Octai, 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 overran Russia, ravaged Poland,
desolated Hungary, devastated the frontiers of Germany, and caused such
dread, that even England was agitated with the danger that threatened
all Christendom.

About the year 1245, however, Mango, the grandson of Gheniskhan,
professed a desire to embrace Christianity; and Oulagon, the brother of
Mango, espoused a Christian woman; and, when King Louis was wintering in
Cyprus, ambassadors from Tartary reached the island, with messages to
the effect that the great khan had been baptised, and that he would
readily aid the Crusaders in rescuing Jerusalem from the Moslems. The
saint-king receiv