At the same time as the Tartars were driven back the besieged
had mastered the fire. The liquid naphtha having rapidly burnt
to the surface of the water, the flames did not go beyond the houses
on the shore, and left the other quarters of the town uninjured.
Before daybreak the troops of Feofar-Khan had retreated into their camp,
leaving a large number of dead on and below the ramparts.
Among the dead was the gypsy Sangarre, who had vainly endeavored
to join Ivan Ogareff.
For two days the besiegers attempted no fresh assault.
They were discouraged by the death of Ogareff. This man was
the mainspring of the invasion, and he alone, by his plots long
since contrived, had had sufficient influence over the khans
and their hordes to bring them to the conquest of Asiatic Russia.
However, the defenders of Irkutsk kept on their guard, and the investment
still continued; but on the 7th of October, at daybreak, cannon boomed
out from the heights around Irkutsk. It was the succoring army under
the command of General Kisselef, and it was thus that he made known
his welcome arrival to the Grand Duke.
The Tartars did not wait to be attacked. Not daring to run the risk
of a battle under the walls of Irkutsk, they immediately broke up
the Angara camp. Irkutsk was at last relieved.
With the first Russian soldiers, two of Michael's friends entered
the city. They were the inseparable Blount and Jolivet. On gaining the
right bank of the Angara by means of the icy barrier, they had escaped,
as had the other fugitives, before the flames had reached their raft.
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