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| The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 |
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Citation Information
CHAP. VI.
ACOMAT'S USURPATION
467
NOTE 2.—Barac or Borral:, who has been already spoken of in ch. iii. of the
Prologue (vol. i. p. To), was no brother of Kaidu's. He was the head of the house . of Chaghatai, and in alliance with Kaidu. The invasion of Khorasan by Borrak took place in the early part of 1269. Arghún was only about 15, and his father Abáká came to take the command in person. The battle seems to have been fought somewhere near the upper waters of the Murghab, in the territory of the Badghís (north of Herat). Borrak was not long after driven from power, and took refuge with Kaidu. He died, it is said from poison, in 127o.
CHAPTER VI.
How ARGON AFTER THE BATTLE HEARD THAT HIS FATHER WAS DEAD, AND WENT TO ASSUME THE SOVEREIGNTY AS WAS HIS RIGHT.
AFTER Argon had gained this battle over Caidu's brother
Barac and his host, no long time passed before he had
news that his father Abaga was dead, whereat he was
sorely grieved.1 He made ready his army and set out
for his father's Court to assume the sovereignty as was
his right ; but he had a march of 4o days to reach it.
Now it befel that an uncle of Argon's whose name
was ACOMAT SOLDAN (for he had become a Saracen),
when he heard of the death of his brother Abaga, whilst
his nephew Argon was so far away, thought there was a
good chance for him to seize the government. So he
raised a great force and went straight to the Court of his
late brother Abaga, and seized the sovereignty and
proclaimed himself King ; and also got possession of
the treasure, which was of vast amount. All this, like
a crafty knave, he divided among the Barons and the
troops to secure their hearts and favour to his cause.
These Barons and soldiers accordingly, when they saw
what large spoil they had got from him, were all ready
to say he was the best of kings, and were full of love for
him, and declared they would have no lord but him.
But he did one evil thing that was greatly reprobated by
all ; for he took all the wives of his brother Abaga, and
kept them for himself.'
VOL. II.
2 G 2
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