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42 (Peking). These amounted to three hundred and sixty thousand horse, to which was added a body of one hundred thousand foot, and in the course of three weeks the army was ready to set out.

"By forced marches Kublai reached the territory of Nayan in twenty-five days, and so prudently was the expedition managed that neither the rebel prince himself nor any of his dependants were aware of the Grand Khan's approach. Upon arriving at a range of hills, on the other side of which was the plain where Nayan's army lay encamped, Kublai halted his troops, and gave them two days to recover their fatigue. During this period he had recourse to his astrologers, who, in the presence of the whole army, declared that victory would fall to the lot of Kublai. Confident, therefore, of success, his forces ascended the hill with alacrity the next morning, and presented themselves before the army of Xayan, which they found negligently posted.

"Kublai took his station in a large wooden castle, borne on the back of four elephants, whose bodies were protected with coverings of thick leather hardened by fire, over which were housings of cloth of gold. The castle contained many cross-bowmen and archers, and on the top of it was hoisted the imperial standard, adorned with representations of the sun and moon. His army, which consisted of thirty battalions of horse, each battalion containing ten thousand men armed with bows, he disposed in three grand divisions, and those which formed the left and right wings he extended in such a manner as to outflank the army of Nayan. In front of each battalion of horse were placed five hundred