CONQUEST OF SIBERIA BY THE RUSSIANS. 193 



pursuers far behind, he at length arrived on the estates of Strogonoff. Here lie 

 was well received — better, no doubt, than if he had come single-handed and de- 

 fenseless ; and Strogonoff having made him acquainted with Siberian affairs, 

 he at once resolved to try his fortunes on this new scene of action. As the tyr- 

 anny of Kutchum Khan had rendered him odious to his subjects, he hoped it 

 would be an easy task to overthrow his power; the prospect of a rich booty of 

 sable skins was also extremely attractive ; and, finally, there could be no doubt 

 that the greatest dangers were in his rear, and that any choice was better than 

 to fall into the hands of Ivan the Terrible. Strogonoff, on his part, had excel- 

 lent reasons for encouraging the adventure. If it succeeded, a considerabl« 

 part of the ])rofits was likely to fall to his share; if not, he at least was rid of 

 his unl)id<len guest. 



Thus Yermak, in the summer of 1578, advanced with his Cossacks along the 

 banks of the Tschinsova into Siberia. But, either from a want of knowledge 

 of the country, or from not having taken the necessary precautions, he was 

 overtaken by winter before he could make any progress ; and when spring aj)- 

 peared, famine compelled him to return to his old quarters, where, as may easi- 

 ly be imagined, his reception was none of the most cordial. But, far from losing 

 courage from this first disappointment, Yermak war, firmly resolved to perse- 

 vere. He had gained experience — his self-confidence Avas steeled by adversity; 

 and when Strogonoff attempted to refuse him further assistance, he pointed to 

 his Cossacks Avith the air of a man who has the means of enforcinij obedience 

 to his ordexs. This time Yermak took better measures for insuring success; 

 he compelled Strogonoff to furnish him with an ample supply of provisions and 

 ammunition, and in the June of the following year Ave again find him,Avith 

 his faithful Cossacks, on the march to Siberia. But such Avere the impediments 

 Avliich the pathless swamps and forests, the severity of the climate, and the hos- 

 tility of the natiA^es opposed to his progress, that towards the end of 1580 his 

 force (now reduced to 1500 men) had reached no farther than the banks of the 

 Tara. The subsequent advance of this little band Avas a constant succession 

 of hardships and skirmishes, Avhich caused it to melt away like snow in the 

 sunshine ; so that scarcely 500 remained Avhen, at the confluence of the Tobol 

 and the Irtysch, they at length reached the camp of Kutchum Khan, whose OA^er- 

 Avhelming numbers seemed to mock their audacity. 



But Yermak felt as little fear at sight of the innumerable tents of the Tar- 

 tar host, as the wolf Avhen meeting a herd of sheep. He knew that his Cossacks, 

 armed Avith their matchlocks, had long since disdained to count their enemies, 

 and, fully determined to conquer or to die, he gave the order to attack. A 

 dreadful battle ensued, for though the Tartars only fought Avith their bows and 

 arrows, yet they Avere no less bi*ave than their adversaries, and their vast supe- 

 riority of numbers made up for the inferior quality of their Aveapons. The 

 struggle was long doubtful — the Tartars repeating attack upon attack like the 

 waves of a storm-tide, and the Cossacks receiving their assaults as firmly and 

 immovably as rocks ; until, finally, the hordes of Kutchum Khan gave way to 

 their stubborn obstinacy, and his camij and all its treasures fell into the hands 

 of the conquerors. 



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