The Successors of Genghis Khan - Robert Bedrosian's Armenian ...

THE SUCCESSORS OF GENGHIS KHAN
we ask thee for the rulership and go to thee? Thou must come to us."
Shiregi realized that he could not resist them and that if he fought
many troops would be uselessly destroyed; and so he went to them.
In the meanwhile, Toq-Temur sent for It-Buqa. He fled and they
pursued him; and when they caught up with him he stabbed himself
with a knife and so died.
They then agreed among themselves that Sarban should sit in the
first place, and they charged Shiregi as follows: "If thou hast come
with a sincere heart send messengers this very instant to the sons of
Batu and Qaidu to announce that we of our own free will made Sarban
our chief and leader." He sent the messengers immediately. Then they
said to him: "Go back to thy own or do and let Melik-Temiir remain
here until the arrival of Yobuqur." Shiregi informed Yobuqur but
he refused and would not go to Sarban. Toq-Temiir led an army
against him and when he drew near sent a messenger to say: "We
have reached this decision. If thou agreest, well and good; otherwise
prepare for battle." Yobuqur sent this answer: "I shall not fight.
I ask only for 5 days' grace to prepare my submission." And he
busied himself with equipping his army and on the fifth day came out
with it and drew up in line to give battle. Toq-Temiir charged, and
his army at once turned round and went over to Yobuqur. Toq-
Temiir fled with twelve makers and after 3 days came to the Mongols'
tents covered with black felt. He asked for water. They recognized
him and brought curds. Immediately behind him came a party [of his
pursuers]; they found his trail and set out after him. All at once he
came to a stream of muddy water, and he said to his nokers: "It is
better if we fight and die with a good name." They answered: "Thou
art of the family; they will not hurt thee. But it would be bad for us."
Despairing of the nokers he threw away his arms and was captured
by his enemies. He was taken before Yobuqur. Shiregi asked Yobuqur
to give him to him, and Yobuqur said: " If thou wilt protect him,
thou art my greatest enemy." Shiregi replied: "If he has done one
evil thing ten good things will not avail him." And he put Toq-Temiir
to death. Sarban now came to Shiregi and said: "It was Toq-Temiir
who made me do what I did." Shiregi took his troops from him, and
he wandered about with two or three nokers. After awhile they began
to desert in small groups and make their way to the Qa'an. Shiregi
wished to go after the fugitives and bring them back. He was afraid
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