who will fight for the faith, and march under his banner."

And the assembly, as they heard his words, felt that they were good. And in a steady soberness of purpose they sent men to find them a leader.

And a leader was found, an old Prince Pojarsky, a man full of courage, who had fought and suffered for Russia. Then the rest of the men formed themselves into an army, strong and brave, each man wishing to save Russia or to die, led by the prince and the butcher Minine.

On they marched to Moscow. And there they attacked boldly and patiently. No force could hold out against the brave nation, and the Poles gave in, and opened the gates.

Then in solemn order in marched the Russian army. First went the priests with icons and crosses. And from the Kremlin to meet them came the Archbishop of Archangel, and in his hand he carried the holy picture of the Virgin, which the Russians loved so well; and as they looked, it seemed to them a sign of the favour of God and the peace that should

come.

So the Russians had freed Russia; and peace had come back to her through the love of her children. That was a great deed of a noble nation.

Then in solemn assembly, and with lawful ceremonies, they chose their Czar. And their choice fell

on Michael Romanov, son of the great and wellknown family.

So in the summer of that year he was crowned Czar, and his descendants are reigning still. For a change that a nation makes is not to be unmade.

CHAPTER XI.

GAINING STRENGTH.

BUT young Michael Romanov had not come to an easy life, or a kingdom at peace. For all over the wide land of Russia were Poles and Cossacks, and bands of hungry peasants turned robbers. The Swedes, too, had taken the city of Novgorod and other cities. Worse than this, the boyards began again to plot and be jealous, and quarrel for power. And Michael was only sixteen.

But the love of country that had brought a lawful king helped the Russians through their troubles. David killed first the lion and bear, and then he did not fail to kill Goliath. The Russians had put down the false pretenders, now they turned to kill giant enemies of the country.

Michael was the more unhappy because his wise father Philarete was captive to the Poles, so that he could not advise him. However, Michael did his best. He sent a messenger to England, and persuaded King James to send them an envoy to

help them to restore peace. This envoy persuaded the King of Sweden to make peace, and give up Novgorod and other cities. For Russia had been like a garden left without an owner. Many people would come in and pick flowers; so they had taken away Russian property. Now the owner had come back, many gave up what they had taken.

But there was one thief that would not give up his spoils. That was the King of Poland, who said that he was Czar of Russia. Michael went to war with him. But after a bit peace was made, and they exchanged prisoners. So Philarete, Michael's father, came back to Russia.

Then better times began. Philarete showed the jealous grasping boyards that they must behave like Christian men. During the time he was alive, Russia began to make friends with many European countries. When Fletcher had come to Russia in the time of Ivan the Terrible, he had been quite surprised to find that the Russians were Christian; for he had thought they were heathen barbarians. Now European countries thought of Russia as almost one of themselves.

One splendid act of the time of Michael was, that he assembled the Russian people to decide upon great questions.

Presently war broke out again with Poland. For the Polish king died, and Michael thought it was a

K

good chance for him. So he sent an army into Poland. But the generals quarrelled so much, and knew so little about war, that the Poles conquered the army twice. Then Michael made peace, and it was agreed that the Russians should pay money and Ladislas should give up the title of Czar, and promise to try to gain Russia no more. Then men end of wars with Poland; but

hoped that was the alas! it was not so.

Michael did much good for Russia by inviting artists and merchants and workmen from all countries to come into Russia. Only he would not allow tobacco, for the Russians thought it was wrong. Books were written, and schools founded. So when Michael died, Russia was beginning again to be one whole country.

When Michael died, Alexis his son became king. He was easy-tempered and good. People said, "Even in his greatest rages, the Czar never goes beyond kicks and cuffs," and that was great praise. He was weak, and let his ministers govern him. However, the minister who got power over him was learned and clever.

It was still very hard to govern well. For the Russians were poor through their long miseries, and were hardly pressed by taxes for the wars. So they were ready to revolt, and did revolt; and it took a clever man to deal wisely with them.