re you shall possess the land you must first possess the men. And I
say to you, Athens is still left, and Sparta left, free and strong, with
men whose hearts and hands can never fail. I doubted once. But now I doubt
no more. And our gods will fight for us. Your Ahura-Mazda has still to
prevail over Zeus the Thunderer and Athena of the Pure Heart."

"And you?" asked the Persian.

"And as for me, I know I have cast away by my own act all the good things
you and your king would fain bestow upon me. Perhaps I deserve death at
your hands. I will never plead for respite, but this I know, whether I
live or die, it shall be as Glaucon of Athens who owns no king but Zeus,
no loyalty save to the land that bore him."

There was stillness in the tent. The wounded man sank back on the pillows,
breathing deep, closing his eyes, expectant almost of a burst of wrath
from the Persian. But Mardonius answered without trace of anger.

"Friend, your words cut keenly, and your boasts are high. Only the Most
High knoweth whether you boast aright. Yet this I say, that much as I
desire your friendship, would see you my brother, even,--you know that,--I
dare not tell you you do wholly wrong. A man is given one country and one
manner of faith in God. He does not choose them. I was born to serve the
lord of the Aryans, and to spread the triumphs of Mithra the Glorious, and
you were born in Athens. I would it were otherwise. Artazostra and I would
fain have made you Persian like ourselves. My sister loves you. Yet we
cannot strive against fate. Will you go back to your own people and share
their lot, however direful?"

"Since life is given me, I will."

Mardonius stepped to the bedside and gave the Athenian his right hand.

"At the island you saved my life and that of my best beloved. Let it never
be said that Mardonius, son of Gobryas, is ungrateful. To-day, in some
measure, I have repaid the debt I owe. If you will have it so, as speedily
as your strength returns and opportunity offers I will return you to your
people. And amongst them may your own gods show you favour, for you will
have none from ours!"

Glaucon took the proffered hand in silent gratitude. He was still very
weak and rested on the pillows, breathing hard. The bow-bearer went out to
his wife and his sister and told his promise. There was little to be said.
The Athenian must go his path, and they go theirs, unless he were to be
handed over to Xerxes to die a death of torment