CON QJJ E S T O F S I B E R I A. 183 



far from the prefent town of Tobolfk ; and of which 

 fome ruins are ftill to be feen. Although his power 

 was very confiderable, yet there were fome circum- 

 flances which feemed to enfure fuccefs to an enterpriz- 

 ing invader. He had newly acquired a large part of 

 his territories by conqueft; and had, in a great meafure, 

 alienated the affedlions of his idolatrous fubjects by the 

 intolerant zeal, with which he introduced*and difTeminated 

 the Mahometan religion *. 



StrogonofF did not fail of difplaying to Yermac this 

 inviting pofture of affairs, as well with a view of remov- 

 ing him from his prefent ftation, as becaufe he himfelf 

 was perfonally exafperated againft Kutchum Chan : for 

 the latter had fecretly inftigated a large body of Tartars 

 to invade the Ruffian fettlements upon the river Tchuffo- 

 vaia ; and had afterwards commenced open hoftilities 

 againft them with a body of forces under the command 

 of his coulin Mehemet Kul. And although both thefe 

 attempts had failed of fuccefs, yet the troops engaged in 

 them had left behind traces of havock and dcvailation too 

 lafting to be ealily effaced t. 



denominated by the Ruffians before the invafion of Yermac. This 

 denomination probably firft came from the Permians and Sirjanians, 

 who brought the firft accounts of Siberia to the Ruffians. 



S. R. G. VI. p. 1 80. 



* S. R. G. VI. p. 180. 

 t Fif. Sib.Gef. I. p. 187. 



2 All 



