i82 CON Q^U EST OF SIBERIA. 



of Anika Strogonoff. Yermac, inftead of ftorming the 

 place, and pillaging the inhabitants, a6ted v/ith a degree 

 of moderation unufual in a chief of banditti. Being 

 hofpitably received by Strogonoff, and fupplied with 

 every thing that was necellary for the fubfiflence of his 

 troops, he fixed his winter quarters at that fettlement. 

 His refllefs genius however did not fuffer him to continue 

 for any length of time in a fl:ate of inactivity ; and from 

 the intelligence he procured concerning the fituation of 

 Determines to thc neighbourinff Tartars of Siberia, he turned his arms 



irivnde Siberia. O O 



inv 



toward that quarter. 



State of . Siberia was at that time partly divided among a num- 

 her of feparate princes ; and partly inhabited by the 

 various tribes of independent Tartars. Of the former 

 Kutchum Chan was the moll powerful Sovereign. His 

 dominions confifled of that trad of country which now 

 forms the South Weflern part of the province of Tobolfic; 

 and ftretched from the banks of the Irtifli and Oby to 

 thofe of the Tobol and Tura. His principal refidence 

 w^as at Sibir ■••■■, a fmall fortrefs upon the river Irilli, not 



far 



* Several authors have fuppofed the name of Siberia to derive its 

 origin from this fortrefs, foon after it was firft taken by the Ruffians 

 under Yermac. But this opinion is advanced without fufficicnt toun- 

 dation ; for the name of Sibir was unknown to the Tartars, that fort being 

 by them called Ilker. Befides, the Southern part of the province of 

 Tobollk, to which the name of Siberia was originally applied, was thus 



deuo- 



