CON Q^U E S T O F S I B E R I A. igy 



delay to Sibir, the refidence of the Tartar princes. He 

 was well aware, that the only method to fecure his con- 

 queft was to get pofTefiion of that important fortrefs. 

 He expeded therefore to have found in that place a 

 confiderable garrifon, determined to facrifice their lives 

 in its defence. But the news of the lute defeat had 

 diiFufed univerfal conllernation, and Sibir v.ns entirely 

 deferted. A body of troops whom he fent before him, 

 to reduce the fortrefs, found it quite deferted : he him- 

 felf foon after made his triumphant entry, and feated seat? Wmfeif 



>iaoiT the 



himfelf upon the throne without the leall: oppofition.^'"'""^' 

 Here he fixed his refidence, and received the allegi- 

 ance of the neighbouring people, who poured in from 

 all quarters upon the news of this unexpected revolu- 

 tion. The Tartars were fo ftruck with his gallant in- 

 trepidity and brilliant exploits, that they fubmitted to 

 his authority without hefitation, and acquiefced in the 

 payment of the ufual tribute. 



Thus this enterprifing CofTac was fuddenly exalted 

 from the llation of a chief of banditti to the rank of 

 a fovereign prince. It does not appear from hiftory 

 whether it were at lirft his defign to conquer Siberia, 

 or folely to amafs a confiderable booty. The latter 

 indeed feems the more probable conjedure. The ra- 

 pid tide of fuccefs with which he was carried on, 

 and the entire defeat of Kutchum Chan, afterwards 

 expanded his views, and opened a larger fcene to his 



B b 2 ambition. 



