CON CLU E S T O F S I E E R I a. iqi 



he was followed at fome diflance by that prince, who 

 hung unperceived upon his rear ; and was prepared to 

 feize any fortunate moment of attack which might occur; 

 nor was it long before a favourable opportunity prefented 

 itfelf. The Ruffians to the number of about three hun- 

 dred lay negligently pofted in a fmall ifland, formed by 

 two branches of the Irtilh. The nijiht was obfcure and ?"™,''^'"'y- 

 rainy ; and the troops, who were fatigued with a long *'''^"' 

 march, repofed themfelves without fufpicion of danger. 

 Kutchum Chan, apprifed of their fituation. filently advanced 

 at midnight with a felecSt body of troops ; and having forded 

 the river, came with fuch rapidity upon the Ruffians, as to 

 preclude the ufe of their arms. In the darknefs and 

 confufion of the night, the latter were cut to pieces 

 almoft without oppofition ; and fell a refiil:lefs prey to 

 thofe adverfaries, whom they had been accuftomed to con- 

 quer and defpife. The maffacre was fo univerfal, that 

 only one man is recorded to have efcaped, and to have 

 brought the news of this cataftrophe to his countrymen 

 at Sibir. 



Yermac himfelf perifhed in the rout, though he did vcmJ^ 

 not fall by the fword of the enemy. In all the hurry 

 of furprife, he was not fo much infe<fted with the gene- 

 ral panic, as to forget his ufual intrepidity, which feemed 

 to be encreafed rather than abated by the danger of his 

 prefent fituation. After many defperate a6ts of heroifm, 



he 



