154 C O N Ct U E S T O F S r B E R I A. 



greatly contributed to the fubfequent progrefs of the 

 Rufhans in thofe re2;ions •-■■. 



CD 



With Yermac expired for a time the Ruffian empire 

 in Siberia. The news of his defeat and death no fooner 

 reached the garrifon of Sibir, than an hundred and fifty 

 troops, the fad remains of that formidable army v.'hich 

 Iiad gained fuch a feries of almofl incredible vicuories,. 

 TieKun.ans retired from the fortrefs, and evacuated Siberia. Not- 



quit bibtiia. 



withfranding this difafter, the court of Mofcow did not 

 abandon its defign upon that country ; which a variety 

 of favourable circumftances ftill concurred to render a 

 flattering objeft of Ruffian ambition. Yermac's fagacity 

 had difcovered new and commodious routes for the 

 march of troops acrofs thofe inhofpitable regions. The 

 rapidity with which he had overrun the territories of 

 Kutchum Chan, taught the Ruffians to confider the 

 Tartars as an eafy prey. Many of the tribes who had 

 been rendered tributary by Yermac, had teftified a cheer- 



* Even fo late as the middle of the next century, this veneration for 

 the memory of Yermac had not fubfidcd. Allai, a powerful prince of 

 the Calmucs, is faid to have been cured of a dangerous diforder, by 

 mixing fome earth taken from Yermac's tomb in water, and drinking 

 the infufion. That prince is alfo reported to have carried with him a 

 fmall portion of the fame earth, whenever he engaged in any important 

 enterprize. This earth he fuperftitioufly confidered as a kind of charm ; 

 and was perfuaded that he always fecured a profperous iffue to his affairs, 

 by this precaution. S. R. G. V. VI. p. 391. 



I ful 



