Lix., note 2.)
CHAPTER XLVIII.
HOW CHINGHIS MUSTERED HIS PEOPLE TO MARCH AGAINST PRESTER JOHN.
When Chinghis Kaan heard the brutal message that Prester John had sent
him, such rage seized him that his heart came nigh to bursting within him,
for he was a man of a very lofty spirit. At last he spoke, and that so
loud that all who were present could hear him: "Never more might he be
prince if he took not revenge for the brutal message of Prester John, and
such revenge that insult never in this world was so dearly paid for. And
before long Prester John should know whether he were his serf or no!"
So then he mustered all his forces, and levied such a host as never before
was seen or heard of, sending word to Prester John to be on his defence.
And when Prester John had sure tidings that Chinghis was really coming
against him with such a multitude, he still professed to treat it as a
jest and a trifle, for, quoth he, "these be no soldiers." Natheless he
marshalled his forces and mustered his people, and made great
preparations, in order that if Chinghis did come, he might take him and
put him to death. In fact he marshalled such an host of many different
nations that it was a world's wonder.
And so both sides gat them ready to battle. And why should I make a long
story of it? Chinghis Kaan with all his host arrived at a vast and
beautiful plain which was called Tanduc, belonging to Prester John, and
there he pitched his camp; and so great was the multitude of his people
that it was impossible to number them. And when he got tidings that
Prester John was coming, he rejoiced greatly, for the place afforded a
fine and ample battle-ground, so he was right glad to tarry for him there,
and greatly longed for his arrival.
But now leave we Chinghis and his host, and let us return to Prester John
and his people.
CHAPTER XLIX.
HOW PRESTER JOHN MARCHED TO MEET CHINGHIS.
Now the story goes that when Prester John became aware that Chinghis with
his host was marching against him, he went forth to meet him with all his
forces, and advanced until he reached the same plain of Tanduc, and
pitched his camp over against that of Chinghis Kaan at a distance of 20
miles. And then both armies remained at rest for two days that they might
be fresher and heartier for battle.[NOTE 1]
So when the two great hosts were pitched on the plains of Tanduc as you
have heard, Chinghis Kaan one day summoned before him his astrologers,
both Christians and Saracens, and desired them to let him know which of
the two hosts would gain the battle, his own or Prester John's. The
Saracens tried to ascertain, but were unable to give a true answer; the
Christians, however, did give a true answer, and showed manifestly
beforehand how the event should be.
