red spring out over her breast. With a quick grasp he swung her before
him on the white horse. She smiled up in his face, never lovelier.

"Glaucon was right," she said,--their lips were very close,--"Zeus and
Athena are greater than Mazda and Mithra. The future belongs to Hellas.
But we have naught for shame. We have fought as Aryans, as the children of
conquerors and kings. We shall be glad together in Garonmana the Blessed,
and what is left to dread?"

A quiver passed through her. The Spartan spear-line was close. Mardonius
looked once across the field. His men were fleeing like sheep. And so it
passed,--the dream of a satrapy of Hellas, of wider conquests, of an empire
of the world. He kissed the face of Artazostra and pressed her still form
against his breast.

"For Mazda, for Eran, for the king!" he shouted, and threw away his sword.
Then he turned the head of his wounded steed and rode on the Spartan
lances.

CHAPTER XL

THE SONG OF THE FURIES

Themistocles had started from Oropus with Simonides, a small guard of
mariners, and a fettered prisoner, as soon as the _Nausicaae's_ people were
a little rested. Half the night they themselves were plodding on wearily.
At Tanagra the following afternoon a runner with a palm branch met them.

"Mardonius is slain. Artabazus with the rear-guard has fled northward. The
Athenians aided by the Spartans stormed the camp. Glory to Athena, who
gives us victory!"

"And the traitors?" Themistocles showed surprisingly little joy.

"Lycon's body was found drifting in the Asopus. Democrates lies fettered
by Aristeides's tents."

Then the other Athenians broke forth into paeans, but Themistocles bowed
his head and was still, though the messenger told how Pausanias and his
allies had taken countless treasure, and now were making ready to attack
disloyal Thebes. So the admiral and his escort went at leisure across
Boeotia, till they reached the Hellenic host still camped near the
battle-field. There Themistocles was long in conference with Aristeides
and Pausanias. After midnight he left Aristeides's tent.

"Where is the prisoner?" he asked of the sentinel before the headquarters.

"Your Excellency means the traitor?"

"I do."

"I will guide you." The soldier took a torch and led the way. The two went
down dark avenues of tents, and halted at one where five hoplites stood
guard with their spears ready, fi