A.D. 1250, &c/] THE CHAH OF TARTABY BAPTIZED. 481 earth ; and that I order him to render me thanks and praise for the victory I have granted him over Prester John and his nation; and thon wilt tell him from me, that I give him power to subdue the whole earth." " Sire," answered the chief, " how will the cham of Tartary believe me? " 44Thon wilt tell him he shall believe in thee from the following circumstance ; that thou shalt go and combat the emperor of Persia with three hundred of thy men, and that, through me, thou shalt vanquish the emperor of Persia, although he will advance to combat thee with three hundred thousand men-at-arms and upwards. But before thou thinkest of fighting with the emperor of Persia, thou wilt demand of the cham of Tartary, that he give up to thee all priests, the monks, and the commonalty who have remained of those taken in the battle with Prester John ; and thou wilt believe all they shall say and show to thee, for they are my people and my servants." " Sire," replied the Tartar chief^ " I shall never find my way, unless you cause me to be conducted." The king, on this, turned round, and said, "Come hither, George; go and conduct this man to his quarters, and let him be restored safe;" and instantly this chief was transported among the Tartars. On his return, all the host of the Tartars came to see him, and made him good cheer. He very soon demanded the priests and monks from the cham of Tartary, according to the instructions he had received from the king on the mount, who were granted to him. This prince of the Tartars received very kindly the doctrines they taught, and all his people were baptised. When this ceremony was over, he selected 300, made them confess themselves and get ready, and thence marched to attack the emperor of Persia, whom he defeated, and drove out of his kingdom and possessions. He fled as far as Jerusalem ; and it was he who vanquished our people, and made the count Gautier de Brienne prisoner, as yon shall hear related. The subjects of this Christian prince increased so much, according to the information I had from those whom the king had sent as ambassadors to Tartary, that they counted in his army 800 chapels on wheels. But let us now return to my principal subject. During the time the king was fortifying CsBsarea, as I have before noticed, there came to him a knight called Sir Elenars de 2i