he chief of the
Merkits, with the Naiman leader, Buyuruk Khan, the tribes Durban,
Katagun, Saldjut, and Uirat, the last of whom were clients of the
Naimans. Wang Khan was then in alliance with him. At the approach of
the enemy they retired into the mountains Caraun Chidun, in the
Khinggan chain, on the frontiers of China, where they were pursued.
The pursuers were terribly harassed by the ice and snow, which Mailla
said was produced by one of their own shamans, or necromancers, and
which proved more hurtful to them than to the Mongols. Many of them
perished, and when they issued from the defiles they were too weak to
attack the two allies. The latter spent the winter at Altchia Kungur.
Here their two families were united by mutual betrothals; as these,
however, broke down, ill-feeling was aroused between them, and Chamuka
had an opportunity of renewing his intrigues. He suggested that
Temudjin had secret communications with the Naimans, and was not long
in arousing the jealousy of Wang Khan and his son Sengun. They
attempted to assassinate him, but he was warned in time.

He now collected an army and marched against the Keraits. His army was
very inferior in numbers, but attacked the enemy with ardor. Wang
Khan's bravest tribe, the Jirkirs, turned their backs, while the
Tunegkaits were defeated, but numbers nevertheless prevailed, and
Temudjin was forced to fly. This battle, which is renowned in Mongol
history, was fought at a place called Kalanchin Alt. Raschid says this
place is near the country of the Niuchis, not far from the river
Olkui. Some of the Chinese authorities call it Khalagun ola and Hala
chon, and D'Ohsson surmises that it is that part of the Khinggan chain
from which flow the southern affluents of the Kalka, one of which is
called Halgon in D'Anville's map. Mailla, however, distinctly places
it between the Tula and the Onon, which is probably right. Abandoned
by most of his troops, he fled to the desert Baldjuna, where he was
reduced to great straits. Here are still found many grave mounds, and
the Buriats relate that this retired place, protected on the north by
woods and mountains, was formerly an asylum. A few firm friends
accompanied him. They were afterward known as Baldjunas, a name
compared by Von Hammer with that of Mohadshirs, borne by the
companions of Mahomet's early misfortunes. Two shepherds, named
Kishlik and Badai, who had informed him of Wang Khan's march, were
created Terkhans.

Havi