WILLIAM DE RUBRUQUIS a.d. 



1253- 



Of our first entrance among the Tartars, and of 

 their ingratitude. Chap. ii. 



ANd being come amongst those barbarous people, me 

 thought (as I said before) y' 1 was entred into a new 

 world : for they came flocking about us on horse back, 

 after they had made us a long time to awaite for them 

 sitting in the shadow, under their black carts. The first 

 question which they demanded was whether we had ever 

 bin with them heretofore, or no ? And giving them 

 answere that we had not, they began impudently to beg 

 our victuals from us. And we gave them some of our 

 bisket & wine, which we had brought with us from the 

 towne of Soldaia. And having drunke off one flagon of 

 our wine they demanded another, saying, that a man 

 goeth not into the house with one foote. Howbeit we 

 gave them no more, excusing our selves that we had but 

 a litle. Then they asked us, whence we came, & whither 

 we were bound ? I answered them with the words above 

 mentioned : that we had heard concerning duke Sartach, 

 that he was become a Christian, & that unto him our 

 determination was to travel, having your Majesties letters 

 to deliver unto him. They were very inquisitive to know 

 whether I came of mine own accord, or whether I were 

 sent ? I answered that no man compelled me to come, 

 neither had I come, unles I my selfe had bin willing : & 

 that therefore I was come according to mine own wil, & to 

 the will of my superior. I tooke diligent heed never to 

 say that I was your Majesties ambassador. Then they 

 asked what I had in my carts ; whether it were gold or 

 silver, or rich garments to carie unto Sartach ? I answered 

 that Sartach should see what we had brought, when we 

 were once come unto him, & that they had nothing to do 

 to aske such questions, but rather ought to conduct me 

 unto their captaine, and that he, if he thought good, 

 should cause me to be directed unto Sartach : if not, that 

 I would returne. For there was in the same province one 

 of Baatu his kinsmen called Scacati, unto whom my lord 



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