ho begin the race before the signal is given are
publicly scourged!"

Themistocles, however, would not allow even this remark to annoy him,
and calmly answered, "Very true, but laggards never win a crown!" The
reply, which Eurybiades thought was meant for an insult, so enraged him
that he raised his staff to strike the bold speaker. At this, the brave
Athenian neither drew back nor flew into a passion: he only cried,
"Strike if you will, but hear me!"

Once more Themistocles explained his reasons for urging an immediate
attack; and his plans were so good, that Eurybiades, who could but
admire his courage, finally yielded, and gave orders to prepare for
battle.

LIII. THE BATTLES OF SALAMIS AND PLATAEA.

The fleets soon came face to face; and Xerxes took up his post on a
mountain, where he sat in state upon a hastily built throne to see his
vessels destroy the enemy. He had made very clever plans, and, as his
fleet was far larger than that of the Greeks, he had no doubt that he
would succeed in defeating them.

His plans, however, had been found out by Aristides, who was in the
Island of AEgina; and this noble man rowed over to the fleet, at the risk
of being caught by the enemy, to warn his fellow-citizens of their
danger.

He first spoke to Themistocles, saying, "Rivals we have always been; let
us now set all other rivalry aside, and only strive which can best serve
his native country."

Themistocles agreed to this proposal, and managed affairs so wisely and
bravely that the Greeks won a great victory. When they came home in
triumph with much spoil, the women received them with cries of joy, and
strewed flowers under their feet.

From his high position, Xerxes saw his fleet cut to pieces; and he was
so discouraged by this check, that he hastened back to Persia, leaving
his brother-in-law Mar-do'ni-us with an army of three hundred thousand
men to finish the conquest of Greece.

The Greeks were so happy over their naval victory at Salamis, that they
all flew to arms once more; and Pau-sa'ni-as, the Spartan king, the
successor of Leonidas, was soon able to lead a large army against
Mardonius.

The two forces met at Pla-tae'a, and again the Greeks won, although
fighting against foes who greatly outnumbered them. Strange to relate,
while Pausanias was winning one battle at Plataea, the other Spartan
king, Eurybiades, defeated a new Persian fleet at Myc'a-le.

These two victories finished the rout of t