THE HUNS OF ATTILA. 209 



continents. As we shall soon find this to be the native land 

 of the Huns, it will be interesting for a few moments to look in 

 upon these rugged home-lands of races, and to search out the in- 

 fluence which they have had on the destinies of the world. 



Stretching centrally across the immense continent of Asia from 

 west to east is a wide belt of uneven table-lands, averaging 

 between one and two miles in height above the level of the sea. 

 It is about five hundred miles in width and perhaps three 

 thousand in length. On the north side are the lofty ranges of 

 the Altai mountains and the sources of the great Siberian rivers. 

 On the south side are the stupendous peaks of the Himalayas, 

 from which arise the sacred rivers of India and China. But the 

 mountain-locked valleys between have no water outlets in any 

 direction. Large streams and even rivers run down through 

 them, emptying into salt lakes and basins, and there end. 

 Evaporation is the only known discharge. Over the eastern 

 half of this singular belt extends the great desert of Gobi, the 

 most inclement and desolate tract on the face of the globe. Yet 

 in all times, and to-day, along the streams and oases of this bleak 

 and storm-beaten desert, roving tribes of Mongolians pitch their 

 tents of felt, and pasture their thriving herds. The western half, 

 known as the great Steppes of Tartary, abounds in rich grazing 

 lands, in fertile valleys, and in hunting forests. The climate, 

 although somewhat rigorous in winter, is yet of surpassing 

 healthf ulness ; and there seems to be, in all the surroundings of 

 these romantic regions, just that element of ruggedness and hard- 

 ship that brings forth the most, restless, daring, and prolific races 

 of mankind. 



" These inaccessible regions," says Gibbon, " were the ancient 

 residence of a powerful and civilized nation which ascends by a 

 probable tradition above forty centuries." There is no doubt 

 that these mountain highlands have been overflowing with 

 nomadic races, of various states of culture, from times beyond 

 the reach of tradition or mythology. They have supplied the 

 dynasties and the ruling caste to the races of southern Asia since 

 oriental nations have had an existence. From thence have issued 

 the innumerable hordes of the Tartars which in the earliest times 



