uch of their time
in feasting and drinking.

In those days there dwelt at Athens two young men named Har-mo'di-us and
A-ris-to-gi'ton. They were intimate friends, and were loved by all on
account of their good qualities, and more especially because they were
so anxious to increase the glory and prosperity of their native city.

Harmodius had a sister who was as good as she was beautiful: so the
people, hoping to please him, chose her to carry a basket of flowers in
the great religious procession which took place in Athens every year.

One of the tyrants, Hipparchus, was very jealous of Harmodius, because
the people loved him so much. He therefore tried to annoy the young man
in every way; and when he heard that his sister had been chosen to bear
the flowers, he rudely forbade her presence at the feast.

This was a great insult, for none but wicked women were forbidden to
appear; and, as Hipparchus had thus publicly disgraced the girl, her
brother was very angry.

His friend, Aristogiton, was as angry as he; and the two young men,
consulting together, decided that as long as these men ruled, the
Athenians would be treated badly, and that it would be well to get rid
of them soon.

XXXVIII. DEATH OF THE CONSPIRATORS.

Harmodius and Aristogiton, having decided to get rid of the tyrants,
told their plans to a few of their friends. Secret meetings were held at
the house of a brave lady called Le-ae'na ("the lioness"), who was the
only woman in the plot.

As the Athenians were in the habit of attending the feast in armor, the
young men waited until then to carry out their plans. They mingled with
the crowd, found a good place near the tyrants, and all at once drew
their swords from their scabbards and attacked their enemies.

Harmodius was so quick that he managed to kill Hipparchus; but, before
his companions could join and protect him, he was cut down by the
tyrants' guards.

Aristogiton, his friend, rushed forward to save him, but was made
prisoner, and dragged before Hippias, who bade him tell the names of his
companions. The young man at first refused to speak; but after a while,
pretending to yield, he named some of the tyrants' friends who were
helping him oppress the Athenians.

The tyrant, in dismay, sent for the accused, and had them and
Aristogiton killed without trial. When he found out his mistake, he
again tried to learn the names of the real conspirators. He knew that
Harmodius and Aristogi