ISO 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period 11. 



in peace or war.^ These assemblies formed the sole legis- 

 lative power of the people, and framed the laws, which, 

 from their primitive habits, were of the simplest character. 

 The entire population was military, their noblest occupa- 

 tion being war, their strongest sentiment the love of 

 glory. Their encampments in peace, even their hunting 

 parties, resembled warlike exhibitions.^ They were most 

 skilful horsemen, ever in the saddle, where they often ate 

 and slept without dismounting. Their bow was of 

 great size and extensive range, and their arrows struck 

 with terrible force. 



In rapidity of movement, in dexterity, in quickness of 

 evolution, they surpassed all nations. They were never 

 more dangerous than when apparently defeated, for their 

 perfidious retreat was often more injurious than the 

 boldest and most gallant charge. In stratagems they 

 excelled, while their cruelty was without limit. Ignorant 

 of the art of defending towns or of fortifying cities, they 

 yet understood how to construct the most formidable 

 machines of war, and how to conduct skilfully the most 

 intricate operations of a siege. Their garments were of 

 the simplest form, and the skins of their herds furnished 

 a warm and durable material. Their wandering life 

 rendered them experienced in all the difficulties of the 

 march, and neither the height of mountains, the width 

 of rivers, or the steepness of precipices ever found them 

 without resource, or ever impeded them in their 

 movements.^ 



Their discipline was strict and the obedience to their 

 leaders perfect, and although moving in such immense 

 hordes, the order and regularity of their movements 

 impressed their enemies as much as their courage and 

 cruelty struck them with terror. They never made peace 

 but with a conquered enemy,* and he who fled from 

 battle or abandoned his comrades in danger was punished 

 with death. 



The approach of the first Mongolian horde was heralded 

 by the arrival in the Principality of Kiev of large num- 

 bers of the Polovtsi, who on the advance of the Tartar 



• Michaud, ii. 313. 2 ibid. ii. 315. 3 ibid. * Ibid. 



