eared before the Prince to offer him the realm of Siberia, as well as
the precious furs of sables, black foxes, and castors.

These were, since a long time, the first transports of joy in gloomy
Moscow. The Czar and the nation seemed to wake up. At court, on the
great square, was repeated with intoxication, "God has sent a new empire
to Russia!" Bells were rung, solemn thanks were returned to heaven, as
at the epoch of Kazan and of Astrakhan, the happy time of the Czar's
youth! Rumor exaggerated the glory of this conquest.

There was no talk but of huge armies destroyed by the Cossacks, of a
great number of peoples subjected by their valor, of the immense riches
which they had found. In a word, Siberia seemed to have fallen from the
sky for the Russians, and, to set off still further Iermak's success, it
was forgotten that from time immemorial this country had been known to
the Russians. The disgrace of the Cossacks gave place to honors. John
Koltzo, bowing his head in humility before the Czar and the boyars,
heard nothing but expressions of good-will, and of praise for his
conduct and the name of valiant warrior. Greatly moved, he kissed the
hand of the Czar, who caused to be given to him, as well as to the other
envoys of Siberia, silver, cloth, and stuffs of value. Ivan immediately
sent to Iermak Prince Simeon Bolkovsky and the officer John Glukoff with
five hundred strelitz (infantry). He authorized John Koltzo to raise
volunteers to go and establish himself in the new countries of Tobol,
and ordered the Bishop of Vologda to send ten priests thither for the
purpose of celebrating divine service. Prince Bolkovsky was ordered to
take, in the spring, the boats of the Stroganoffs and embark on the
Tchusovaya (river), to follow the traces of the hero of Siberia. These
illustrious citizens, the real authors of this important acquisition to
Russia, yielded it to the state. But in recompense, and as a reward for
their services and their zeal, Ivan made to Simeon Bolkovsky a
concession of two borough towns, the Great and Little Sol, on the Volga.
Maxime and Necetas obtained the privilege of carrying on commerce in all
their cities without paying any tax or duty.

While awaiting good news from Russia, the conquerors of Siberia did not
give themselves up to a sterile repose. They advanced by the Tavda as
far as the country of the Vogulitches, and near the mouth of that river
where the Tartar princes Labutan and Petschenieg he