For four weeks they held their assailants at bay, banking every effort of the vast numbers who encompassed them.

A more determined and heroic defense was never made.

At last the fortress fell, and not one soul escaped the exterminating sword.

Bati, now satiated with carnage, retired, with his army, to the banks of the Don.

Yaroslaf, prince of Kief, and brother of Georges II., hoping that the dreadful storm had passed away, hastened to the smouldering ruins of Vladimir to take the title and the shadowy authority of Grand Prince.