But the Russian court having by this time received information of their robber-like exploits, deposed Khilkuf, and ordered the governor of Astrakhan, Prince Prozorowskoi to set out immediately in pursuit of the two chiefs; and to hunt them down without mercy or intermission. Aware of their place of Tetreat, he had the river closed up in the narrow parts with strong iron chains, and landed a body of troops in the rear of the Cossacks; he likewise sent forward a squadron of well-armed ships of war, manned by his best sailors, to exterminate the Cossack pirates. Stenko Razin, thus suddenly enclosed as in a trap — • destitute, moreover, of sufficient stores and ammunition to enable him to hold out for any continuance — despatched confidential envoys to Prince Prozorowskoi, with proposals of surrender, and of consecrating, like a second Yermak, his talents and the remainder of his life to the service of the czar, provided he was assured of pardon for his past acts of rebelHon. But at the same time that he was making these proposals, which he had every reason to anticipate would be rejected, he took every possible measure within liis power, to either conquer or perish in the struggle. Whether it was that Prozorowskoi hoped to turn his submission to some account, or that the chances of a sea-fight with such experienced corsairs as Razin and his followers, so often victorious, and now reduced to despair, appeared to him somewhat too doubtful; the result was, that he accepted the latter's offer of submission. Stenko Razin was amnestied; and after he had renewed his oath of allegiance to the czar, was confirmed in the command of his troop of Cossacks, which were distributed along the banks of the Don. But what appears still more extraordinary, is the fact of the Czar Alexy never having in the sequel violated this amnesty. The thirst for vengeance, however, still raged in the bosom of Stenko Razin; the dead body of his brother was incessantly before his eyes; he renewed his intrigues; he was now observed to make a great display of his riches, — to be prodigal of his money to his friends and partizans, whom he confidentially gave to understand, by mysterious hints, that he would shortly be in a condition to renew with them the former course of profitable expeditions. By all these manoeuvres, joined to their natural impatience of an inactive life, and craving for booty, the eyes of all the Cossacks of the Don were gradually directed towards Stenko, who completely eclipsed the influence of Kernel Yakolof, their attaman.
Seeing that the time had now arrived for throwing aside the mask of submission, and for taking an attitude of independence, Razin gave the signal for action. From the banks of the Don to those of the laik, nothing was now heard but one unanimous cry of " Long live Stenko! down with the Russians!" All the officers who had been set to watch the Cossacks disappeared. Stenko started up once more on the Volga. In possession of a new flotilla, he destroyed the merchant vessels, ravaged both banks of the river, and massacred all those who hesitated or refused to attach themselves to his fortunes. A regular body of Strelitzes, sent against him, instead of opposing his troops, introduced them into the town of Tzaritch.ine, where all the Russians were put to the sword; whereupon adherents flocked from every direction to join his cause, and his forces thenceforward rapidly increased in numbers. A division of the Russian army, under Livof, despatched against him, revolted; massacred their oiEcers, and enlisted under his orders. Another division, sent from Moscow, proved more faithful, but less fortunate; overpowered and cut to pieces, scarcely three men escaped. Tchernoiar opened its gates to the rebels. Prozorowskoi, shut up in Astrakhan, and anticipating a speedy attack, laid in a store of provisions, repaired the fortifications, took all possible measures to repel the assailants, and despatched courier after courier to Moscow, to solicit reinforcements. But symptoms of sedition already began to manifest themselves in the place; the soldiers mutinied, and demanded their pay, and the metropolitan opened his treasures in order to appease them.