Page:Notes upon Russia (volume 2, 1851).djvu/80

enjoyed it for a week; for being driven out by Temnick Manais, and fleeing beyond the Volga, he was slain by the soldiers who pursued him, in the year 6869 [A.D. 1361]. After these Thachamisch obtained the empire, A.M. 6890 [A.D. 1382], and going forth on the 26th of August with an army, he laid waste Muscovy with fire and sword. Being routed by Themirkutlu, he fled to Withold, Grand Duke of Lithuania. Themirkutlu reigned over the kingdom of Savai, A.M. 6906 [A.D. 1398], and died 6909 [A.D. 1401]. His son Schatibeck succeeded him in the empire, after whom came Themirassack, who led an immense army into Retzan with a view of depopulating Russia, and inspired such terror into the princes of Muscovy, that, despairing of victory, they threw down their arms and betook themselves to the protection of the saints. They immediately sent to Vladimir for a certain image of the blessed Virgin Mary, which was celebrated for having performed many miracles; and as this image was being brought into Moscow the prince went out to meet it with all the multitude, to give it an honourable reception; and first most humbly imploring it to repel the enemy, he brought it into the city with the greatest respect and veneration: and they say that by this act of worship they obtained grace from the Virgin, so that the Tartars did not advance beyond Retzan. And for a perpetual memorial of this event, a temple was erected on the spot where the image was waited for and received; and that day, which is called by the Russians stretimue, that is the day of meeting, is solemnly celebrated every year on the 26th of August. These things took place in the year A.M. 6903 [A.D. 1395].

The Russians relate that this Themirassack was of obscure birth, and rose to this high degree of dignity by plunder; they say also that he was an extremely clever thief in his youth, and that it was by one of these exploits that he derived his appellation; for having once stolen a sheep, and being caught