At the same time the smoke partially cleared, and it became evident that the combatants were rapidly moving southwards.

It appeared that Kolyvan was to be attacked on the north side.

But were the Russians defending it or the Tartars?
It being impossible to decide this, Michael became greatly perplexed.
He was not more than half a verst from Kolyvan when he observed flames shooting up among the houses of the town, and the steeple of a church fell in the midst of clouds of smoke and fire.

Was the struggle, then, in Kolyvan?
Michael was compelled to think so.

It was evident that Russians and Tartars were fighting in the streets of the town.