WILLIAM DE RUBRUQUIS ad. 



1253. 



ward into a certain great sea 700. miles about, before 

 it falleth into the sea called Pontus Euxinus. And al 

 the rivers, which we passed over, ran with ful stream 

 into those quarters. The foresaid river hath great store 

 of wood also growing upon the West side thereof. 

 Beyond this place the Tartars ascend no farther unto 

 the North : for at that season of the yeere, about the About the 

 iirst of August, they begin to returne backe unto the beginning of 

 South. And therfore there is another cottage somwhat y-^f^^^^ ^^_ 

 lower, where passengers are ferried over in Winter tume South- 

 time. And in this place wee were driven to great zcard. 

 extremitie, by reason that we could get neither horses, 

 nor oxen for any money. At length, after I had 

 declared unto them, that my comming was to labour 

 for the common good of all Christians, they sent us 

 oxen & men ; howbeit we our selves were faine to 

 travel on foote. At this time they were reaping their 

 rye. Wheat prospereth not wel in that soile. They 

 have the seed of Millium in great abundance. The 

 Russian women attire their heads like unto our women. 

 They imbroder their safegards or gowns on the outside, 

 from their feet unto their knees with particoloured or 

 grey stuffe. The Russian men weare caps like unto 

 the Dutch men. Also they weare upon their heads 

 certain sharpe, & high-crowned hats made of felt, much 

 like unto a sugar loafe. Then traveiled we 3. daies 

 together, not finding any people. And when our selves 

 and our oxen were exceeding weary and faint, not 

 knowing how far off we should find any Tartars, on 

 the sudden, there came two horses running towards us, 

 which we tooke with great joy, and our guide and in- 

 terpreter mounted upon their backes, to see, how far 

 off they could descry any people. At length upon the 

 fourth day of our journey, having found some inhabitants, 

 we rejoyced like sea-faring men, which had escaped out of 

 a dangerous tempest, and had newly recovered the haven. 

 Then having taken fresh horses, and oxen, we passed 

 on from lodging to lodging, till at the last, upon the 



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