AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1246. 



all be in one company, but in manie and severall 

 bandes, not very farre distant one from another. They 

 which give the first encounter must sende one band 

 before, and must have another in a readynesse to 

 relieve and second the former in time convenient. They 

 must have spies also on every side to give them notice 

 when the rest of the enemies bandes approch. For 

 therefore ought they alwayes to send forth band against 

 band & troupe against troupe, because the Tartar ever 

 practiseth to gette his enemie in the midst and so to 

 environ him. Let our bands take this caveat also, if 

 the enemie retire, not to make any long pursuit after him, 

 lest peradventure (according to his custome) he might 

 draw them into some secret ambush : for the Tartar 

 fights more by policie then by maine force. And 

 againe, lest our horses bee tired : for we are not so 

 well stored with horses as they. Those horses which 

 the Tartars use one day, they ride not upon three or 

 foure dayes after. Moreover, if the Tartars draw 

 homeward, our men must not therefore depart and 

 casseir their bandes, or separate themselves asunder : 

 because they doe this upon policie, namely to have our i 

 armie divided, that they may more securely invade and | 

 waste the countrey. And in very deede, our captaines ; 

 ought both day and night to keepe their armie in a j 

 readines : and not to lie out of their armour, but at all | 

 assayes, to bee provided for battell. For the Tartars 

 like divels are alwaies watching and devising howe to prac- 

 tise mischiefe. Furthermore, if in battell any of the Tartars 

 be cast off their horse backes, they must presently bee | 

 layd holde on and taken, for being on foote they shoote 1 

 strongly, wounding and killing both horses and men. 



* Johannes de Of the journey of frier *John unto the first j 

 pknoCarpini g^^j.^ ^£ ^j^^ Tartars. Chap. 19. 



"E therefore by the commaundement of the sea \ 



apostolique setting foorth towards the nations of ] 



the East, chose first to travel unto the Tartars, because \ 



158 



w 



