It is not at all surprising that they overheard this conversation, for not only the tents, but even the houses used by these Asiatic nations were built of very frail and thin materials, and the partitions were often made of canvas and felt, and other such substances as could have very little power to intercept sound. The two slaves determined to proceed at once to Temujin's camp and warn him of his danger. So they stole away from their quarters at nightfall, and, after traveling diligently all night, in the morning they reached the camp and told Temujin what they had learned. Temujin was surprised; but he had been, in some measure, prepared for such intelligence by the communication which his stepfather had made him in respect to Vang Khan's treacherous designs a few days before. He immediately summoned Karasher and some of his other friends, in order to consult in respect to what it was best to do. It was resolved to elude Vang Khan's design by means of a stratagem. He was to come upon them, according to the account of the slaves, that night. The preparations for receiving him were consequently to be made at once. The plan was for Temujin and all his troops to withdraw from the camp and conceal themselves in a place of ambuscade near by. They were to leave a number of men behind, who, when night came on, were to set the lights and replenish the fires, and put every thing in such a condition as to make it appear that the troops were all there. Their expectation was that, when Vang Khan should arrive, he would make his assault according to his original design, and then, while his forces were in the midst of the confusion incident to such an onset, Temujin was to come forth from his ambuscade and fall upon them. In this way he hoped to conquer them and put them to flight, although he had every reason to suppose that the force which Vang Khan would bring out against him would be considerably stronger in numbers than his own. CHAPTER VIII. PROGRESS OF THE QUARREL. 1202 The ambuscade.--The wood and the brook.--The guard left behind.--Arrival of Vang Khan's army.--False hopes.--Assault upon the vacant camp.--Advance of the assailants.--The ambuscade.--Temujin's victory.--Preparations for open war.--Temujin makes alliances.--Turkili.--Solemn league and covenant.--Bitter water.--Recollection of the ceremony.--Temujin's strength.--His letter to Vang Khan.--Effect of the letter.--Sankum's anger.--Great accessions to Temujin's army.--Mongolistan.--Final attempt at negotiation.--Sankum's answer.--Skirmishes.