rier life than is mine!"

The trolling called Glaucon back to reality. Guided by Sicinnus, who knew
the stations of the Greek fleet better than he, a second time they came
beside the Spartan admiral. The lamps were still burning in the
stern-cabin. Even before they were alongside, they caught the clamours of
fierce debate.

"Still arguing?" quoth Sicinnus to the yawning marine officer who advanced
to greet them as they reached the top of the ladder.

"Still arguing," grunted the Spartan. "I think your master has dragged
forth all his old arguments and invented a thousand new ones. He talks
continuously, as if battling for time, though only Castor knows wherefore.
There's surely a majority against him."

The emissary descended the companionway, Themistocles leaped up from his
seat in the crowded council. A few whispers, the Asiatic returned to
Glaucon on the deck. The two gazed down the companionway, observing
everything. They had not long to wait.

CHAPTER XXVIII

BEFORE THE DEATH GRAPPLE

For the fourth time the subaltern who stood at Eurybiades's elbow turned
the water-glass that marked the passing of the hours. The lamps in the
low-ceiled cabin were flickering dimly. Men glared on one another across
the narrow table with drawn and heated faces. Adeimantus of Corinth was
rising to reply to the last appeal of the Athenian.

"We have had enough, Eurybiades, of Themistocles's wordy folly. Because
the Athenian admiral is resolved to lead all Hellas to destruction, is no
reason that we should follow. As for his threat that he will desert us
with his ships if we refuse to fight, I fling it in his face that he dare
not make it good. Why go all over the well-threshed straw again? Is not
the fleet of the king overwhelming? Were we not saved by a miracle from
overthrow at Artemisium? Do not the scouts tell us the Persians are
advancing beyond Eleusis toward Megara and the Isthmus? Is not our best
fighting blood here in the fleet? Then if the Isthmus is threatened, our
business is to defend it and save the Peloponnesus, the last remnant of
Hellas unconquered. Now then, headstrong son of Neocles, answer that!"

The Corinthian, a tall domineering man, threw back his shoulders like a
boxer awaiting battle. Themistocles did not answer, but only smiled up at
him from his seat opposite.

"I have silenced you, grinning babbler, at last," thundered Adeimantus,
"