The country of the Polovtsi was then abandoned to the Tartars.

Having ravaged the central valleys of the Don and the Volga, these demoniac warriors turned their steps again into southern Russia.

The inhabitants, frantic with terror, fled from their line of march as lambs fly from wolves.

The blasts of their trumpets and the clatter of their horses' hoofs were speedily resounding in the valley of the Dnieper.

Soon from the steeples of Kief the banners of the terrible army were seen approaching from the east.