I write
it?"

"Absurd."

"Did Democrates?"

"Absurd again, still--"

"Do you not see, dearest outlaw," said Themistocles, mildly, "until you
can lay that letter on some other man's shoulders, I cannot answer, 'I
believe you'?"

"I did not ask that. I have a simpler request. Will you let me serve
Hellas?"

"How do I know you are not a spy sent from Mardonius?"

"Because too many deserters and talebearers are flying to Xerxes now to
require that I thrust my head in the Hydra's jaws. You know surely that."

Themistocles raised his eyebrows.

"There's truth said there, Simonides. What do you think?" The last
question was to the poet.

"That this Glaucon, whatever his guilt a year ago, comes to-night in good
faith."

"_Euge!_ that's easily said. But what if he betrays us again?"

"If I understand aright," spoke Simonides, shrewdly, "our case is such
there's little left worth betraying."

"Not badly put,"--again Themistocles pressed his forehead, while Glaucon
stood as passive as hard marble. Then the admiral suddenly began to rain
questions like an arrow volley.

"You come from the king's camp?"

"Yes."

"And have heard the plans of battle?"

"I was not at the council, but nothing is concealed. The Persians are too
confident."

"Of course. How do their ships lie?"

"Crowded around the havens of Athens. The vassal Ionians have their ships
on the left. The Phoenicians, Xerxes's chief hope, lie on the right, but on
the extreme right anchor the Egyptians."

"How do you know this?"

"From the camp-followers' talk. Then, too, I rowed by the whole armada
while on my way to Salamis. I have eyes. The moon was shining. I was not
mistaken."

"Do you know where rides the trireme of Ariabignes, Xerxes's
admiral-in-chief?"

"Off the entrance to Peiraeus. It is easy to find her. She is covered with
lights."

"Ah! and the Egyptian squadron is on the extreme right and closest to
Salamis?"

"Very close."

"If they went up the coast as far as the promontory on Mt. AEgaleos, the
strait toward Eleusis would be closed?"

"Certainly."

"And on the south the way is already blocked by the Ionians."

"I had trouble in passing even in my skiff."

More questions, Glaucon not knowing whither they all were drifting.
Without warning Themistocles uprose and smote his thigh.

"So you are anxious to serve Hellas?"

"Have I not said it?"

"Dare you die for her?"

"I made the choice once with Leonidas."

"Da