a soul of iron to brave the
indignation of the republic. "He offers us servitude!" they cried.
The _Posadnik_ who conveyed the counsel to the _Vetche_ was murdered on
the spot. But Alexander persisted, and he prevailed. His own son
refused to share his father's disgrace, and left the state. Again and
again the people withdrew the consent they had given. Better might
Novgorod perish! But finally, when Alexander Nevski declared that he
would go, that he would leave them to their fate, they yielded, and the
Mongols came into a silent city, passing from house to house making
lists of the inhabitants who must pay tribute.

Then the unhappy Prince went to prostrate himself before the Khan at
Sarai. But his heart had broken with his spirit. He had saved his
state, but the task had been too heavy for him. He died from
exhaustion on his journey home (1260).

On account of internal convulsions in the Great Tatar Empire, now
united by Kublai-Khan, the fourth in succession from Genghis-Khan, the
Golden-Horde had separated from the parent state, and its Khan was
absolute ruler of Russia. So from this time the ceremony of
investiture was performed at Sarai; and the humiliating pilgrimages of
the Princes were made to that city.

The religion of the Mongols at the time of the invasion was a paganism
founded upon sorcery and magic; but they soon thereafter adopted
Islamism, and became ardent followers of the Prophet (1272). Although
they never attempted to Tatarize Russia, 250 years of occupation could
not fail to leave indelible traces upon a civilization which was even
more than before Orientalized. The dress of the upper classes became
more Eastern--the flowing caftan replaced the tunic, the blood of the
races mingled to some extent; even the Princes and _boyars_ contracting
marriages with Mongol women, so that in some of the future sovereigns
the blood of the Tatar was to be mingled with that of Rurik.

A weaker nation would have been crushed and disheartened by such
calamities as have been described. But Russia was not weak. She had a
tremendous store of vigor for good or for evil. Life had always been a
terrible conflict, with nature and with man, and when there had been no
other barbarians to fight, they had fought each other. Every muscle
and every sinew had always been in the highest state of activity, and
was toughened and strong, with an inextinguishable vitality. Such
nations do not waste time in sentim