A.D. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1246. 



sent us forward with one of his servants as farre as Kiow 



the chiefe citie of Russia. Howbeit we went alwayes in 



The danger of our lives by reason of the Lituanians, who did 



Lithuanians, often invade ye borders of Russia, even in those verie 



places by which we were to passe. But in regard of the 



foresayd servant, wee were out of the Russians daunger, 



the greatest part of whome were either slaine, or caried 



into captivitie by the Tartars. Moreover, at Danilon wee 



were feeble even unto the death. (Notwithstanding wee 



caused our selves to bee carried in a waggon through the 



snowe and extreme colde.) And being come unto Kiow, wee 



consulted with the Millenary, & other noble men there 



concerning our journey. They told us, that if wee carried 



[I. 64.] those horses, which wee then had, unto the Tartars, great 



store of snowe lying upon the ground, they would all dye : 



be cause they knew not howe to digge up the grasse under 



The fodder of the snow, as the Tartarian horses doe, neither could there 



the Tartarian ^^g ought found for them to eate, the Tartars having neither 



^^^^■^' hay nor strawe, nor any other fodder. We determined 



therefore to leave them behind at Kiow with two servants 



appointed to keepe them. And wee were constrayned to 



bestow gifts upon the Millenary, that we might obtaine his 



favour to allowe us poste horses and a guide. Wherefore 



beginning our journey the second daye after the feast of 



the Purification, wee arrived at the towne of Canow, which 



was immediatly under the dominion of the Tartars. The 



governour whereof allowed us horses and a guide unto 



Michceas the another towne, wherein wee found one Michaeas to be 



governour, a man full of all maHce and despight. Who 



notwithstanding, having received giftes at our handes, 



according to his maner conducted us to the first guarde of 



the Tartars. 



Hov^ he and his company were at the first 

 received of the Tartars. Chap. 20. 



WHerefore, the first Saturday next after Ash Wednes- 

 day, having about the Sunnes going downe, taken 

 up our place of rest, the armed Tartars came rushing upon 



160 



malicious. 



