*94
Tl>e Ruffians
quit Siberia»
C O N Q U E S T OF S I B E R I A *
greatly contributed to the fubfequent progrefs of the
Ruffians in thofe regions *»
With Yermac expired for a time the Ruffian empire
in Siberia. The news of his defeat and death no fooner
reached the garrifon of Sibir, than an hundred and fifty
troops, the fad remains of that formidable army which
had gained fuch a feries of almoft incredible victories,
retired from the fortrefs, and evacuated Siberia. Not-
withftanding this difafter, the court of Mofcow did not
abandon its defign upon that country ; which a variety
of favourable circumftances ftill concurred to render a
flattering objedt of Ruffian ambition. Yermac’s fagacity
had difcovered new and commodious routes for the
march of troops acrofs thofe inhofpitable regions. The
rapidity with which he had overrun the territories of
Kutchum Chan, taught the Ruffians to confider the
Tartars as an eafy prey. Many of the tribes who had
been rendered tributary by Yermac, had teftified a cheer-
* Even fo late as the middle of the next century, this veneration for
the memory o f Yermac had not fubfided. Allai, a powerful prince of
the Calmucs, is faid to have been cured of a dangerous diforder, by
mixing feme earth taken from Yermac’s tomb in water, and drinking
the infufion. That prince is alfo reported to have carried with him a
.final! portion o f the fame earth, whenever he engaged in any important
enterprize. This earth he fuperftitioufly confidered as a kind o f charm ;
and was perfuaded that he always feeured a profperous iffue to his affairs
j>y this precaution. S .R .G .V . VI. p. 391.
I ful
C O N Q U E S T O F S I B E R I A , ' »95
ful aequiefcence under the fovereignty of tire Tza r; and
were inclined to renew their allegiance upon the fir ft
opportunity. Others looked upon all refiftance as unavailing,
and had learned, from dear-bought experience,
to tremble at the very name of a Ruffian. The natural
ftrength of the country, proved not to be irrefiftible
when united, was confiderably weakened by its inteftine
commotions. Upon the retreat of the garrifon of Sibir,
that fortrefs, together with the adjacent diftridt, was
feized by Seyidyak, fon of the former fovereign, whom
Kutchum Chan had dethroned and put to death. Other
princes availed themfelves of the general confufion to
aflert independency ; and Kutchum Chan was able to
regain only a fmall portion of thofe dominions, of which
he had been ftripped by Yermac.
Influenced by thele motives, the court o f Mofcow ’rse Ruffians
- re*enter
fent a body of three hundred troops into Siberia,siberia-
who penetrated to the banks of the Turn as far as
Tfchingi almoft without oppofition. There they built
the fort of Tumen, and re-eftablilhed their authority
over the neighbouring diftridt. Being loon afterwards
reinforced by an additional number of troops, they were
enabled to extend their operations, and to erect the for-
tiefles of Tobolfk, Sungur, and Tara. The eredtion of Reconquer
x r , - , their antienC
thele and other fortrefles was foon attended with aTerriiories-
Q c a fpeedy