rakhan, and the Crimea. Kazan was ruled by a
czar; its people were the descendants of Mongols and Bulgars who had
made great progress in commerce. The Khan of Sarai and his men clung
to the life of nomads; but the subjects of the Khan of the Crimea,
were Mongols, Armenians, Greeks, Jews, and Italians; and all three had
this in common that they were constantly indulging in quarrels and
strife at home.

Ivan knew all this, because sometimes a chief would come to Moscow for
an asylum, and others took service in his army. He no longer sent
tribute, although occasionally, when he was occupied elsewhere, he did
send a small present. In 1478 Khan Akhmet sent ambassadors to Moscow
to remind him that the tribute was in arrears. Ivan, who had
apparently a wonderful command over his features, pretended to lose
his temper, jumped on the picture of the khan, and ordered all the
envoys except one to be put to death. The survivor was told to go
home, and tell his master of his reception.

Ivan had reasonable cause for thinking that Akhmet would be
displeased, and collected an army of 150,000 men on the Oka, where he
took up a strong position. He had been right in his conjecture, for
Akhmet gathered an army and in due time arrived on the opposite bank
of the river. Ivan had time to reflect. He did not much fancy risking
a decisive battle, and returned to Moscow to consult his mother, the
boyards, and the priests. All urged him to fight, and finally he came
back to the camp, convinced that scheming and plotting were more in
his line. All this time the two armies lay within earshot, exchanging
complimentary remarks, with no casualties. The khan offered to (p. 102)
pardon Ivan on condition that he should come and hold his stirrup;
or, if he were too tired, if he should send some high officer to do it
in his name. Ivan shook his head. Meanwhile the priests at Moscow were
growing impatient, and the Archbishop Vassian sent him a warm letter.
It happened that Akhmet was quite as prudent as Ivan; but when the
winter came and the Oka, instead of a barrier, became an easy crossing,
Ivan ordered the retreat. Just then the two armies, led by such brave
commanders, were seized with a panic, and away they fled in opposite
directions. (1480.) The honors were with Ivan, because he did not have
so far to run as Akhmet, who did not stop until he reached Sarai. It
is not stated why Ivan received no surname from this great battle.

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