History of Genghis Khan . edon the shores of this stream, and performed agrand ceremony, in which he himself and hisallies banded themselves together in the mostsolemn manner. In the course of the ceremonya horse was sacrificed on the shores of thestream. Temujin also took up some of thewater from the brook and drank it, invokingheaven, at the same time, to witness a solemnvow which he made, that, as long as he lived, hewould share with his officers and soldiers thebitter as well as the sweet, and imprecatingcurses upon himself if he should ever violatehis oath. All his allies and officers did
History of Genghis Khan . edon the shores of this stream, and performed agrand ceremony, in which he himself and hisallies banded themselves together in the mostsolemn manner. In the course of the ceremonya horse was sacrificed on the shores of thestream. Temujin also took up some of thewater from the brook and drank it, invokingheaven, at the same time, to witness a solemnvow which he made, that, as long as he lived, hewould share with his officers and soldiers thebitter as well as the sweet, and imprecatingcurses upon himself if he should ever violatehis oath. All his allies and officers did thesame after him. This ceremony was long remembered in thearmy, all those who had been present and hadtaken part in it cherishing the recollection of itwith pride and pleasure; and long afterward,when Temujin had attained to the height ofhis power and glory, his generals consideredtheir having been present at this first solemnleague and covenant as conferring upon them asort of title of nobility, by which they and their. 1202.] Progress of the Quarrel. 109 Temujins strength. His letter to Vang Khan. descendants were to be distinguished foreverabove all those whose adhesion to the cause ofthe conqueror dated from a later time. By this time Temujin began to feel quitestrong. He moved on with his army till hecame to the borders of a lake which was not agreat way from Yang Khans dominions. Herehe encamped, and, before proceeding any far-ther, he determined to try the effect, upon themind of Yang Khan, of a letter of expostula-tion and remonstrance; so he wrote to him,substantially, as follows: A great many years ago, in the time of myfather, when you were driven from your throneby your enemies, my father came to your aid,defeated your enemies, and restored you. At a later time, after I had come into yourdominions, your brother conspired against youwith the Markats and the Naymans. I defeat-ed them, and helped you to recover your you were reduced to great distress, Isha
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