Another large army was collected by the Russian princes who inhabited the valley of the Dniester.

In a thousand barges they descended the river to the Black Sea.

Then entering the Dnieper they ascended the stream to unite with the main army waiting impatiently their arrival.
On the 21st of May, the whole force was put in motion, and after a march of nine days, met the Tartar army on the banks of the river Kalets.

The waving banners and the steeds of the Tartar host, covering the plains as far as the eye could extend, in numbers apparently countless, presented an appalling spectacle.

Many of the Russian leaders were quite in despair; others, young, ardent, inexperienced, were eager for the fight.