Pausanias and Aristeides must be warned. The _Nausicaae_ is the
'Salaminia,'--the swiftest trireme in the fleet. Ours must be the deed, and
ours the glory. Enough of this--the men must hear, and then to the oars."

Themistocles had changed from despair to a triumph note. There was uplift
even to look upon him. He strode before all his lieutenants up and out
upon the poop. The long tiers of benches and the gangways filled with
rowers peered up at him. They had seen their officers gather in the cabin,
and Dame Rumour, subtlest of Zeus's messengers, had breathed
"ill-tidings." Now the admiral stood forth, and in few words told all the
heavy tale. Again a great shout, whilst the bronzed men groaned on the
benches.

"Democrates is a traitor!"

A deity had fallen from their Olympus; the darling of the Athenians's
democracy was sunk to vilest of the vile. But the admiral knew how to play
on their two hundred hearts better than Orpheus upon his lyre. Again the
note changed from despair to incitement, and when at last he called, "And
can we cross the AEgean as never trireme crossed and pluck back Hellas from
her fate?" thalamite, zygite, and thranite rose, tossing their brawny arms
into the air.

"_We can!_"

Then Themistocles folded his own arms and smiled. He felt the god was
still with him.

* * * * * * *

Yet, eager as was the will, they could not race forth instantly. Orders
must be written to Xanthippus, the Athenian vice-admiral far away, bidding
him at all hazards to keep the Persian fleet near Samos. Cimon was long in
privy council with Themistocles in the state cabin. At the same time a
prisoner was passed aboard the _Nausicaae_, not gently bound,--Hiram, a
precious witness, before the dogs had their final meal on him. But the
rest of the _Bozra's_ people found a quicker release. The penteconter's
people decided their fate with a yell.

"Sell such harpies for slaves? The money would stink through our pouches!"

So two by two, tied neck to neck and heel to heel, the wretches were flung
overboard, "because we lack place and wood to crucify you," called the
_Nausicaae's_ governor, as he pushed the last pair off into the leaden
sea,--for the day was distant when the destruction of such Barbarian rogues
would weigh even on tender consciences.

So the Carthaginians ceased from troubling, but before the penteconter and
the _Bozra_ bore away to join the remaining fleet, another deed was