Visit of Michael to the Horde, 1371.—Cost of Mamai’s good-will.—Desire of Dmitri to make war on the Mongols.—Discouragement in Moscow.—Decision of Dmitri to visit the Horde.—Reception of Dmitri at Sarai.—Moscow joined by Novgorod.—War between Moscow and Tver.—March of Oleg against Moscow.—Battle of Skornistchevo.—Defeat of Oleg.—Abakumovitch of Torjok.—Suffering of Torjok from Mongols.—Defeat of Olgerd.—Threats of the Mongols.—War made on Moscow by Mamai.—Waiting for the Mongols, 1373.—Devotion of the people.—Appointment of Michael as Grand Prince.—Michael breaks his oath to Moscow.—March of Dmitri against Tver.—Defeat of Tver.—Peace with severe terms.—End of war between Tver and Moscow, 1375.—Death of Olgerd, 1377.—Murder of Keistut by his nephew Yagello.—Attack of Mongols on Nizni Novgorod.—Killing of Saraiko, the Mongol envoy, and his suite.—Nizni territories doomed to fire and sword.—Advance of Dmitri to the Oká.—Appearance beyond the Sura of Arabshah, a Mongol prince, 1377.—Nizni’s request for aid from Moscow.—Russian troops surprised and destroyed by Mongols.—Death of Prince Ivan.—Attack on Ryazan by Mongols.—Moscow men cut down for aiding Mongols.—Anger of Mamai.—Mustering of Mongol forces, 1378.—Mongols cross the Voja August, 1378.—Victory of Dmitri.—Execution of Ivan Velyaminoff, the first man put to death publicly in Moscow, August 30, 1379.—Great work of the metropolitan Alexis.—Church troubles in Moscow.—Mityai given the highest church office by Dmitri.—Anger of Cyprian.—Imprisonment of Cyprian.—Quarrel between Mityai and Dionisi.—Mityai starts for Tsargrad, 1379.—Death of Mityai.—Deceit of Pimen.—Confirmation of Pimen as metropolitan.—Refusal of Dmitri to receive Pimen.—Sending of Dionisi to Tsargrad to secure the expulsion of Pimen.—Death of Dionisi.—Mamai rouses the Mongols to destroy Russia.—Mustering of forces by Dmitri, 1379.—Boasting of Mamai.—Correspondence of Oleg of Tver with Yagello of Poland.—March of Vagello to join Mamai, 1380.—Distribution of Dmitri’s army.—Address of Dmitri to his officers.—Examination of the battle ground by Bobrok and Dmitri.—Description of Kulikovo.—Eagerness for action.—Beginning of the great battle.—Enormous victory of Russia on the field of Kulikovo 358 CHAPTER XVII