Story 
 
 AMON and 
 YTHIA 
 
 ALBERT PAYSON TERHUNE 
 

THE STORY OF 
 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
THE INCIDENTAL Music FOR THE 
 PRODUCTION OF DAMON AND 
 PYTHIAS WAS WRITTEN BY PRO- 
 FESSOR M. WINKLER AND is 
 PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY THE 
 CARL FISHER Music HOUSE, 
 COOPER SQUARE, NEW YORK. 
 
O Unrvtrsal Ftlm Manufacturing Co, 
 
 THE CHARACTERS OF DAMON AND PYTHIAS, AS PRODUCED BY THE 
 UNIVERSAL FILM MANUFACTURING COMPANY. 
 
THE STORY OF 
 
 iattuw 
 
 BY 
 
 ALBERT PAYSON TERHUNE 
 
 ADAPTED AND ILLUSTRATED FROM THE PHOTO-PLAY 
 
 CONCEIVED AND PRODUCED BY THE UNIVERSAL 
 
 FILM MANUFACTURING COMPANY 
 
 * 'Greater love hath no man than this, that 
 a man lay down his life for his friend. 
 
 JOHN 11: 53. 
 
 N EW YORK 
 
 GROSSET AND DUNLAP 
 
 PUBLISH ERS 
 
Copyright, 1915 by 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP 
 
 AND 
 
 THE UNIVERSAL FILM MANUFACTURING COMPANY 
 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 The pages of history and the traditions of the 
 " long ago " furnished no scene that should count for 
 more in man's relation with his fellows, as day by 
 day he lives his life, than the one laid in Sicily and 
 furnished by DAMON and PYTHIAS. 
 
 Its elaboration in the play of that name by John 
 Banim found a welcome in the public heart, and later 
 the friendship of these two was made the basis for 
 a society, established in the City of Washington, 
 February 19, 1864. 
 
 This society has developed into one of the great 
 Fraternities, with membership rapidly nearing eight 
 hundred thousand splendid men, known as the " Or- 
 der of Knights of Pythias." That Sicilian scene is 
 so human, so filled with lessons that mean for mu- 
 tual, community and universal good, that the de- 
 votees of that great Order gladly encouraged every 
 effort to disseminate the lessons to be found therein. 
 
 It teaches and will develop the spirit of fraternal- 
 ism a spirit that should have a place in the heart 
 and life of every well-meaning individual. 
 
 As an entirely and distinctive business enterprise, 
 wholly separate and apart from the Order referred 
 to, The Universal Films Company has reproduced 
 
 912964 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 the wondrous grouping of the scenes that faithfully 
 represent many incidents in the lives of these, our 
 prototypes, and to aid in the better understanding 
 and appreciation thereof. This publication, the 
 first presentation in book form of the lives of these 
 men, by Albert Payson Terhune, with its human side, 
 its realistic settings, its poetry, its tenderness, its 
 strength in characterization, and touching pathos 
 will illumine the subject and hold the thought, and 
 from it all life will be enriched and humanity bene- 
 fited by the films and by the publication of the story of 
 DAMON and PYTHIAS. 
 
 A& fou 
 
 LIMA, Ohio, December 12, 1914. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I THE FRIENDS i 
 
 II IN THE CITY n 
 
 III PYTHIAS' BETROTHAL . .... -, 23 
 
 IV HE WHO COVETS V 36 
 
 V OUT OF THE WAY . . . 50 
 
 VI THE VISIONS . . . . , .' ',. 67 
 
 VII THE VICTOR'S RETURN . 85 
 
 VIII THE PLAN is DIVULGED 100 
 
 IX IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT . . .... . . .114 
 
 X THE PLOT FRUSTRATED 132 
 
 XI THE RACE . V . . / , 142 
 
 XII THE WEDDING HOUR . , .; 168 
 
 XIII A FRIEND'S STRONG ARM 179 
 
 XIV FROM GLADNESS INTO GLOOM 188 
 
 XV A FREEMAN'S LEGACY 196 
 
 XVI A LIFE FOR A LIFE! 205 
 
 XVII LOST! .212 
 
 XVIII THE Vow ./..-. V, .. . . . . 217 
 
 XIX THE UNKNOWN . . 7 , '. . . . . . . . 221 
 
 XX THE PRISONER . . . , ... 231 
 
 XXI TEMPTATION 239 
 
 XXII "CAUTION!" . .y. 247 
 
 XXIII HUSBAND AND WIFE . 253 
 
 XXIV DAMON'S RIDE . . . 263 
 
 XXV FOR FRIENDSHIP! 274 
 
 XXVI THE HEADSMAN 279 
 
 XXVII SUNSET 284 
 
 XXVIII FRIENDSHIP'S ALTAR 296 
 
THE STORY OF 
 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 THE FRIENDS 
 
 THE late afternoon sun bathed the Sicilian 
 hillside in soft rays. It tinged with shell- 
 pink a villa of glistening white marble, mid- 
 way of the verdant slope. Through the foliage, pur- 
 ple-patched with grapes, that covered the pergola 
 of the garden, a single beam slanted down upon the 
 figure of a man who sat beside a playing fountain. 
 
 From the white toga he wore, with its broad badge 
 of purple upon the breast, his rank as a senator of 
 Syracuse in the year 480 B. C. was proclaimed. 
 
 A woman and child his wife and little son sat 
 near him; but of their presence he seemed oblivious. 
 One hand shading his eyes, he was lost in a reverie. 
 Now and again his other hand clenched upon his 
 knee, as though at some thought which he found dis- 
 pleasing. 
 
 But if he paid no heed to the two who shared his 
 occupancy of that Eden-spot, the eyes of the woman, 
 at least, turned often upon her lord's averted head. 
 
2 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 She mafktfd his locked jaw, the restless opening 
 and shutting of bis hand; signs of a bitter mental 
 struggle going on within hirr ; and her experience and 
 love enabled her to read these as a frown of tender 
 concern deepened between her brows. 
 
 At last, with a murmured word to the child, she 
 rose and crossed to where the Senator sat. 
 
 " Damon, what is it? " she asked softly. 
 
 At the light touch on his shoulder, the man roused 
 from his meditation with a guilty start. 
 
 " Hermion, I I crave your pardon! " he stam- 
 mered, quickly. 
 
 Looking up into the dark, lovely face that bent 
 so solicitously over him, he laid his hand on hers. 
 
 u For a moment my thoughts were wool-gather- 
 ing," he explained, lamely. 
 
 4 What is it? " she repeated in the same anxious 
 tone, not deceived by his pretense at lightness. 
 " You are troubled with something >can you not 
 confide in me? " 
 
 " It is nothing," he reassured her, with a forced 
 smile. " Sit here beside me. Nothing is wholly bad 
 in life, with you to share it." 
 
 Instead, she sank on the turf at his knee. 
 * You are my husband," she said simply; " and 
 I have tried to be a dutiful and obedient wife; but 
 if I have failed, you shall tell me wherein my fault 
 has lain. Have I broken the laws laid down for 
 womankind ? Have I touched wine ? Have I been 
 
THE FRIENDS 3 
 
 meddlesome in the affairs of others? Have I ever 
 spoken before men, save in your presence and at your 
 wish? These things I know I have not done. But 
 perhaps in some other way I have displeased you " 
 
 He checked her with a grave headshake. 
 
 " You are a wife without a fault," he declared, his 
 deep, sad voice softening into a gentleness that ac- 
 corded oddly with his stern face. 
 
 " Then is it your child's health that disturbs your 
 peace of mind but no, that cannot be." A tear 
 trembled on the long lower lashes of her violet eyes. 
 " It is six weeks since you ordered me to bring him 
 here, away from the heat and dust of the city, which 
 you thought were causing him to grow pale. And 
 now he is the very picture of sturdy, blooming health, 
 as you yourself must see . It is as I feared the 
 root of your melancholy brooding. However once 
 it may have been, time and that familiarity, which we 
 are told brings indifference to a long-held treasure, 
 have worked their change upon your heart; and now 
 you do not love me." 
 
 He took her dusky head, bound with its coral-hued 
 fillet, between his hands. " Not love you ! " With 
 a low cry, he folded her head to his breast in a rush 
 of passion. 
 
 " If I could find words to tell you of my love! " 
 he breathed, looking off over his clenched arms as 
 though to ward away some unseen thing that threat- 
 ened to snatch from them the treasure they held. 
 
4 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 44 But they would be but words. And so useless to 
 make you understand ! You are my life all that 
 makes it worth the living, is bound up in you and in 
 that fair child, yonder, which you have given me." 
 
 With a sigh of content, her doubts on this point 
 set at rest by the vibrant sincerity in his voice, Her- 
 mion raised her lips to his. 
 
 44 But now I have distressed you," he reproached 
 himself after a pause, rising to pace restlessly to and 
 fro. 44 Wretched actor that I am, not to have been 
 better able to conceal my feelings ! " 
 
 44 You could not hide your moodiness from me, 
 "Damon," she told him with a sad little smile; " even 
 if this were the first time you had shown it. I have 
 noticed, of late, how abstracted you have become. 
 Every time you have come out here to visit little 
 Xextus and me, I have seen your eyes turn back to the 
 city, while your features grew hard. It it was 
 that made me think some fairer face than mine per- 
 chance having attracted you, that your heart was 
 there.' 9 
 
 He halted, to gaze through the vista between two 
 columns of the peristyle in which he stood, upon the 
 white house-tops of the town that lay touched with 
 mother-of-pearl by the sunset glow in the valley be- 
 neath. 
 
 44 Ay, my heart is there," he said, musingly. 
 44 Not in the keeping of any one of that city's thou- 
 sands, but in the city itself." He sighed, wearily. 
 
THE FRIENDS 5 
 
 " And oh, Syracuse, city of my birth, how you wring 
 that heart of mine at times ! " 
 
 She watched him; and of a sudden buried her face 
 in her hands. 
 
 " Oh, what suffering I am forced to undergo," she 
 moaned, " by the fate that makes me a statesman's 
 wife! And there are those down there, I suppose, 
 who envy me ! If they but knew what I endure, not 
 the lowliest of them but would pity me, instead. 
 Harassed, daily, hourly, by what apprehensions, 
 dreads! Oh, Damon, Damon!" she broke off, 
 catching at his robe and drawing him to her. " I 
 am afraid! " 
 
 He seated himself beside her, taking her again in 
 his sheltering embrace. " Afraid of what?" he 
 questioned gently, as to a dark-affrighted child. 
 
 She shook her head impatiently. " How can I 
 put all the fears, the terrors that assail me, into one 
 word? I am afraid that is all. Of something, 
 I know not what; but," and she laid a hand upon 
 the garment that fluttered above her heart, " some- 
 thing I feel, here, is menacing our happiness." 
 
 " No, no ! " he soothed. " Nothing will harm 
 you, or me please the gods ! " 
 
 Glancing up, she surprised the stern lines in which 
 his face was chiseled as he still sat looking down, 
 above her head, at the distant town. 
 
 She turned hot eyes upon sun-kissed Syracuse. 
 " Oh, I hate that city! " she exclaimed, fiercely. 
 
6 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 44 And I, too, hate it," he responded, between his 
 set lips " sometimes. For the crass indifference 
 of its masses, as well as for the corruption and dis- 
 honor of its ruling classes, that each day is bringing 
 it nearer its ruin, and," his voice dropping, " that 
 of any honest man, as inevitably, who tries to stay 
 the disaster." 
 
 " That was what you brooded upon? " she asked, 
 half- fearfully, as she nestled closer. " You fear an 
 impending danger, too?" 
 
 44 No, no! " he repeated his reassurance. " Noth- 
 ing threatens us." 
 
 He added to himself the grim word " Yet! " 
 
 44 Then of what were you thinking just now? " she 
 persisted. " Perhaps it was of Pythias, your 
 friend?" 
 
 He shook off liis air of somber gravity, and glanced 
 toward the sundial. 
 
 44 True," he answered; " for on Pythias my 
 thoughts did turn. It is strange that he is not yet 
 come, when it is already past the hour he set for his 
 visit." 
 
 His eyes swept the garden. The child, playing 
 among its fluted columns, was the only living thing 
 in it that met his gaze. 
 
 44 Shall I send Xextus to look for him?" ques- 
 tioned Hermion. 4 ' He loves Pythias; and the eyes 
 of Love, they say, are keen. From the knoll that 
 
THE FRIENDS 7 
 
 tops the slope behind us, perhaps he might spy him on 
 the road winding up from the city " 
 
 But before the order could be given, the garden 
 rang with a glad treble shout. In a scamper of short 
 tunic-skirts and sandaled feet, the lad, halting in his 
 play, had run straight as a dart toward the doorway 
 of the tablinum of the villa that gave into the gar- 
 den, wherein stood the stalwart, armored figure of a 
 man. 
 
 " Pythias! " cried the boy; and found breath to 
 utter no more; as he swung aloft to the shoulder of 
 the laughing giant who caught his joyous onslaught, 
 and thus repelled it, in his strong arms. 
 
 " Ho, now, my hero-baby!" the arrival laughed 
 up at the squirming, big-eyed figure perched beside 
 his plumed helmet. u And can you guess the prize 
 thatf is held by this citadel you've so boldly 
 stormed? " 
 
 He forgot that the lad, from his coign of vantage 
 upon his shoulder, could look down along his back, 
 and thus obtain an unobstructed view of the contents 
 of the right hand he was guardedly holding behind 
 him. 
 
 " Give them to me, Pythias! " crowed the child, 
 kicking his heels in impatient; delight against the bur- 
 nished breastplate of his captor. " Oh, give them to 
 me quickly! " 
 
 The man thus wildly importuned, glanced up with 
 
8 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 a start of surprise and caught the direction of his 
 companion's eyes. 
 
 With a deep, full-throated laugh, he swung the 
 boy to the ground. From behind him, he brought 
 forth a miniature shield, which he gave into the small 
 hands that were eagerly upstretched to receive it. 
 Then followed a sword its blade of lead, and 
 with point and edges so blunt as to render the weapon 
 harmless to a juvenile wielder. And, last of all, a 
 helmet was produced before the lad's joy-wide eyes; 
 a helmet, plumed and steel-studded as was the giver's 
 own and, wonder of wonders ! so exact a replica 
 of that bigger headpiece as to bear a visor that was 
 moveable. 
 
 So cunningly wrought a plaything must have 
 meant the labor of weeks on the part of some silver- 
 smith, and in consequence had entailed a goodly 
 drain on its donor's purse. Setting the casque upon 
 the child's bronze curls, and so completing his mock 
 armament, the man swung the tiny, warlike figure 
 about. 
 
 " Now, sir, salute your mother and father," he 
 ordered, " as a soldier should! " 
 
 Smiling at them past the child who was standing 
 in stiff salute with the hilt of the mimic sword pre- 
 sented to his lips, the visitor advanced upon his 
 grown-up watchers. 
 
 He bowed over the woman's hand. And, then, in 
 a stride, he stood before the man. 
 
THE FRIENDS 9 
 
 Their right hands gripped ; as our greeting is from 
 man to man to-day. What passed in that clasp was 
 not discernible to the eye; but in the eagerly smiling 
 affection with which each regarded the other's face, 
 the warmth of the friendship that existed between 
 them was plainly revealed. 
 
 Both were of noble proportions; the blonde head 
 of the soldier had the advantage of perhaps an inch 
 over the other's prematurely whitened locks, but this 
 a-nd the warrior's mightier breadth, as well, were off- 
 set by the power of intelligence that shone from the 
 statesman's countenance. It would have been odd 
 if a pair so well matched should not have been drawn 
 by the call of like to like, into friendship. 
 
 But the years that had passed since their first meet- 
 ing had steadily disclosed the fidelity, courage and 
 honor that were at the core of each of the two 
 friends' character, and had long since ripened their 
 feeling of mutual respect into an enduring love. 
 
 Now, as he looked into the other's face, reading 
 there the shadow of care that underlay its expression 
 of pleased welcome, the soldier's free hand clapped 
 [Damon's shoulder in rough sympathy. 
 
 " I have heard how the election went to-day," he 
 said. " Philistius was raised to the presidency of 
 the senate ; so that means you were defeated." 
 
 " Defeated," nodded the togaed one, the tired 
 smile still playing about his lips. " The vote was 
 three to one we were a hopeless minority. But," 
 
io DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 he went on, " how heard you this, Pythias, when you 
 are but to-day returned from the fighting in the 
 South? And how have the wars used you? Not 
 ill, so far as eye may see." 
 
 The other was scanning his features anxiously. 
 
 " The city is full of the talk of the royalists' vic- 
 tory to-day; I had been deaf not to overhear it," he 
 said. " I hastened here to you as soon as I could, to 
 tell you that you must not take this too much to heart, 
 Damon." 
 
 '* The mere result is not what grieves me, since I 
 expected it," the statesman answered; "it is what 
 must follow on the result." 
 
 With a shrug, he turned away, signing his guest to 
 seat himself. 
 
 " But I bring you news," announced Pythias, with 
 a return to his former light-hearted manner, as he 
 found a place on the marble brim of the fountain 
 between DUmon and the latter's wife. " News that 
 will cheer you out of your despondency." 
 
 "News?" his friend repeated, curiously. 
 
 " The best in all the world to me. And so it will 
 be to you, Damon, I am sure. And to you, Her- 
 mion, who are also my friend." 
 
 Regarding the warrior's radiant countenance, 
 Damon turned to his wife with a smile. 
 
 " We will first hear what this good news of Pyth- 
 ias is," he said. " And then he and I will talk alone 
 upon another matter." 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 IN THE CITY 
 
 * '"^t ^"OU hear them shout your name ? " 
 
 ^L/ " Yes, but I am wondering if such a 
 
 M demonstration, following so close on the 
 
 heels of what to-day befell in the Senate, is altogether 
 
 wise." 
 
 The speakers stood on a certain street-corner of 
 Syracuse, at the moment that the trio we left back 
 at the villa on the hillside were seated around the 
 fountain in its garden. 
 
 One of the two on the corner of the street a 
 man with a bronzed, wind-bitten visage and of 
 mighty stature was a soldier. 
 
 The other was likewise clad in the helmet and 
 breastplate of a warrior. He was hatchet-faced. 
 A pair of hawk eyes looked piercingly out from 
 above his Roman nose. For the rest, his face was 
 thin-lipped, lean-jowled, of a puttyish-gray complex- 
 ion. The silver buckles that fastened his lambre- 
 quin of Tyrian purple to the points of his shoulders 
 did not come within a foot of his strapping compan- 
 ion's. But somehow perhaps it was from the 
 commanding gleam that shot forth from those steel- 
 gray eyes of his he seemed the larger of the two. 
 
 ii 
 
12 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 His name, even then, was being roared in the 
 nearby market place. 
 
 As the seas break first upon the rocks with a 
 boom! to be followed by the hiss of falling spray, 
 so the guttural mob-yell rose, with the last syllable 
 sibilantly prolonged, thus : 
 
 " Dion-ysius-s-s ! " 
 
 Again, from another quarter, the rough-lunged 
 shout thundered between the echoing house-sides of 
 the narrow streets. 
 
 " Dionysius Triomphe! " 
 
 The thin lips of the man thus hailed twitched. 
 He had spoken in jest; his apprehension at the wide- 
 spread proclamation of his name through the city 
 being voiced with a fine tinge of sarcasm. But the 
 gentle irony of his utterance had been wholly lost 
 upon the thick-skinned son-of-battle at his side. 
 Now, the latter turned to regard his chief. 
 
 " Not wise? " he repeated, staring. " And what 
 have you, Dionysius, the almighty warlord, to fear 
 from the puny tailors, jewelers, and wineshop-keep- 
 ers who might if they dared! raise their voices 
 in protest at your rule? Are not a picked company 
 of your warriors, with me at their head, stationed 
 here in the city? And scattered, through the mob, 
 at every street-crossing and alley-turning from east 
 to western gates, are not a horde of your followers 
 among the thousands waiting, in readiness to do 
 your will " 
 
IN THE CITY 13 
 
 11 But unarmed," quickly interposed the other, the 
 catlike smile still curving his cameo lips. " Un- 
 armed. iYou forget that, my Procles. And' so of 
 what avail is their willingness to fight my fight; 
 when they stand without the wherewithal to do so? " 
 
 Turning, the soldier flung out a long arm toward 
 the turrets of a fortress behind them. 
 
 " There are your arms," he answered, with grim 
 eagerness. " Yes yours; if you will but utter the 
 command, and let me to my work. In one bold dash 
 only, I pledge you, my handful of ironguts shall win 
 that citadel and all in it " 
 
 Stepping back to regard him from under uplifted 
 brows, the general raised his hands in a gesture of 
 effeminate horror. 
 
 " You would attack the city's garrison? " he said. 
 " And from within the town itself, where we are 
 held to be its friends? But this is treason! " 
 
 The warrior stood tensely watching him, in no way 
 deceived this time by the mock sobriety of the other's 
 speech; which, indeed, could not have cheated a 
 child, accompanied as it was by a frank widening of 
 the satiric smile upon the hatchet features. 
 
 " Give the word," he answered through his 
 clenched teeth, " and you shall see how quickly I will 
 obey." 
 
 The other's gaze traveled toward the fort to 
 which his companion had pointed. High against the 
 heavens, his sharp eyes made out what to another 
 
14 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 would have been only an indistinguishable speck; 
 the form of an eagle. Its outstretched wings and 
 fiercely majestic head tipped with gold by a ray of 
 the setting sun that shot just then through a cloud- 
 rift, the bird circled directly above that armory's bat- 
 tlements. It seemed to mean an augury to the 
 watching leader. The smile had given way on his 
 countenance before a look of hard purpose, as he 
 turned back. 
 
 " I have tasted blood to-day,'* he said, squaring 
 his shoulders; and, with the motion, the mantle of 
 his former sneering suavity dropped wholly from 
 him. ' They thought they had me worsted the 
 dogs ! " he went on half to himself, his eyes narrow- 
 ing bitterly. " But I have whipped them to their 
 kennels. It is not a year since I was flung down, 
 disgraced, frpm the high office to which at last I had 
 climbed. Too bold, in that I impeached the magis- 
 trates for what I deemed treason in accepting the 
 terms of surrender from a foe I would have crushed 
 still further to wring a heavier indemnity from them 
 for our own gain * an exceeded authority,' that was 
 the charge by which they caused my downfall. Not 
 a year ago ! And now I have won back my power, 
 but in redoubled measure. I have worked ! worked ! 
 worked ! as no man ever before me has worked. To 
 bribe the controlling vote of the Senate, on one hand; 
 to gain the trust and following of the army, on the 
 other. It has meant sleepless nights. It has meant 
 
IN THE CITY 15 
 
 the surrendering of every pleasure to unending toil. 
 But I have done it. They did not know the man they 
 sought to break. They do not know me yet. But 
 they shall, to their cost, ere I am done." 
 
 He leveled his right arm past his lieutenant, car- 
 ried out of his wonted taciturn astuteness by his own 
 fierce review. 
 
 " Go! " he rasped "The garrison I will take. 
 Its arms, and store of food and gold shall equip these 
 men of mine against a future time of need That 
 is," he added, his voice descending from its pitch of 
 passion to the thoughtful key of one who is accus- 
 tomed, as a successful strategist, to weigh every plan 
 down to its smallest detail, " that is, if the men under 
 you are as eager as you say you are, yourself, to at- 
 tempt the attack. You have sounded them? " 
 
 Procles nodded, with a reassuring smile. 
 
 " And they are ready," he answered. " Your 
 gold, that I distributed among them this noon at your 
 bidding, has whetted their appetite for more. The 
 heaped-up, yellow contents of those coffers back there 
 is the goal on which the greedy eyes of every rascal 
 of the lot are set. How willingly at your command 
 they would storm that, or any other stronghold, 
 wherein lies so rich a treasure for their sacking, you 
 have only to hear them acclaim you to know as 
 now!" 
 
 Fainter, the rioters having passed into some 
 farther thoroughfare, the triumphantly chorused 
 
1 6 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 roaring of the name " Dionysius " came again to 
 their ears. 
 
 " Be off! " curtly ordered the lean-visaged chief. 
 " Tell them what I say the citadel falls. But 
 first lead them here. There may be one or two who, 
 at the last moment, would hesitate at the actual 
 striking of so bold a blow. And all depends on the 
 unexpected effect of their solid, fearless rush. I 
 think a few words of encouragement from me may 
 be of help. Bring my wolf-pack here, and I will 
 speak to them." 
 
 The soldier saluted, and set off upon his errand. 
 At the next turning he passed a man, the train of 
 his toga draped over one shoulder across a heroic 
 stomach that quaked, jellylike, as he walked, who 
 was approaching along the narrow, chariot-rutted 
 street. 
 
 The rotund one halted before the armored figure 
 of Dionysius who barred his way; Dionysius whose 
 head was turned at that moment to look measuringly 
 up along the ledges on the pedestal of a statue be- 
 hind him; a pedestal which might serve as steps to 
 the platform of the monument and from which a 
 view of all the wide space, at the intersection of those 
 two streets, could be commanded. 
 
 " I salute you, Dionysius," the pedestrian hailed 
 in a furry, fawning voice. 
 
 The other, turning, nodded an indifferent greet- 
 ing. He contemplated the speaker without any par- 
 
Universal Film Manufacturing Co. 
 
 SCENE ON THE ESTATE OF DAMON. 
 
Universal Ftlm Manufacturing Co. 
 
 CALANTHE AND PYTHIAS. 
 
IN THE CITY 17 
 
 ticular fondness; sweeping him from the sleek black 
 curls that framed his smiling, oily-skinned face, to 
 the plump bare calves that bowed under the hem of 
 his robe with the task of supporting the vast girth 
 above them. The granite eyes beneath the bur- 
 nished helmet's visor held only the coldly appraising 
 look of one who regards a chattel. 
 
 " Damocles," the general questioned, " why has 
 not Philistius accompanied you? " 
 
 " He follows ! " The answer came with placating 
 haste. " He but tarried at the banquet, given by his 
 admiring friends in honor of his well-merited elec- 
 tion, to join in a last pledging of his name, a cup 
 to each letter. Ten cups, only, in all." 
 
 Dionysius' mouth-corners were twitching. Look- 
 ing beyond the fat sycophant, he had spied a lean 
 figure, clad also in the toga of senatorial rank, and 
 with a fringe of white hair surrounding the bald 
 crown of his head, coming toward them along the 
 winding thoroughfare. 
 
 " Ah, Philistius!" he hailed, his voice vibrant 
 with mockery. " Let me add my congratulations ! 
 So you wined and dined thus early, I learn ! A cup 
 to each letter? Royal honors! Those whose votes 
 elevated you to your high place, I presume, com- 
 panioned you in this feast of celebration? Yes. 
 To be sure. A little getting together, to decide 
 which one shall be given some well-paid office, which 
 this, or that. Quite right. But you will not for- 
 
1 8 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 get," with a sudden biting lack of levity in the mas- 
 terful voice, " whose gold paved the way for it all. 
 Yet I do not begrudge you your pickings," he care- 
 lessly went on. " Enrich yourselves, all of you, at 
 the public's cost, while you may. It is on a higher 
 goal my eyes are set." 
 
 From the head of the street just then, a wild shout 
 went up; louder, because much nearer, than any of 
 those which the wind had borne that way before. 
 
 " The soldiers are at hand, and with them the 
 curious rabble," the commander told the two. " It 
 would be wisest, perhaps, in view of what I am about 
 to say, if you were not seen here with me. Go, then, 
 to the square before the Academy and await my 
 coming." 
 
 As the white-robed pair departed, the street rang 
 with the clash of arms. Pouring forward, a shield- 
 and-sword-brandishing, shouting, semi-drunken band, 
 into the alleylike thoroughfare, the chosen bodyguard 
 of Dionysius swept toward him. They were bearing 
 with them, bumped and jostled against the house- 
 sides, as chips on a surging wave, a body of the idly 
 inquisitive citizenry; as their chief had announced. 
 
 And, as one such chip out of the many is oft-times 
 tossed aloft by the breakers, so now there rose upon 
 a doorstep the wild-eyed figure of a blonde and 
 pimply-chinned young man. He shook his fists 
 above the heads of the crowd. 
 
 " Fools I " he exhorted them. " Will you stand 
 
IN THE CITY 19 
 
 quietly by, and see them carry out the purpose which 
 they have shouted; grinning in your very faces? 
 You will see our treasury fall into their thieving 
 hands and not lift a finger to stop them ? What 
 if they are armed, and you are not? We outnumber 
 them, twenty to one. Fall on them, with me ! Or 
 do you want a tyrant's rule ? This is treating you to 
 a taste of what you will have in store, once that iron- 
 shod despot, Dion " 
 
 A soldier, springing out from the rest, checked 
 the socialist's words with a leveled sword-point at 
 his throat. 
 
 But the fanatic raved on : 
 
 " Be men, to-day or slaves forever ! I call on 
 you to " The soldier drove the weapon forward. 
 It bit deep into the orator's throat. 
 
 Without a second glance behind him at the figure 
 of the unknown youth, fallen curiously limp across 
 the doorstep, the slayer leaped down among his 
 fellows. 
 
 A welcoming roar burst from them as, crowding 
 round the statue's base, they looked up at the short, 
 square-shouldered form of Dionysius himself who 
 stood upon its platform. 
 
 Dionysius signed for silence; and it came. 
 
 " My friends," spoke the gaunt-cheeked general, 
 smilingly pointing toward the citadel's turrets, " they 
 tell me there is a goodly sum of new-minted money 
 there. Also, that the treasury is but ill-defended. 
 
20 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 How true that last may be, I do not know. But this 
 I do : I think I may claim the friendship of the man 
 who to-day has been chosen president of the senate. 
 If any assault you might make upon that garrison 
 were to fail, I am sure I could put forward the word 
 that would spare any one of you from punishment. 
 I can say no more. But perhaps I have no need to 
 add anything further, to speed you on to that golden 
 storehouse ? " 
 
 With an affirmative shout, mixed of laughter and 
 cheers, the guerilla mob surged forward up the 
 street, its eyes fixed with one covetous accord upon 
 the battlements of the fortress. 
 
 Dionysius, descending from the monument, walked 
 in their hurried wake to the public square two cor- 
 ners ahead. 
 
 " Philistius," was his first greeting of the pair he 
 had sent on there before him, " I wanted to ask you 
 in what manner your election was received this morn- 
 ing within the senate chamber? " 
 
 The leader-elect of that body shrugged. 
 
 " How could it be received?" he said, smiling. 
 " We outnumbered them so completely as to drown 
 their hisses with our cheers, even as our votes 
 drowned theirs." 
 
 '* But there must have been some expression upon 
 some face," the other persisted, impatiently; " the 
 face for example of one to whom the outcome meant 
 
IN THE CITY 21 
 
 bitterer disappointment than to any other there. I 
 mean Damon. Did he rail against the decision, or 
 sit gnawing his knuckles, instead, in glum dejection? 
 Or how took he the result? " 
 
 " He must have expected it," indifferently replied 
 Philistius. 
 
 " I watched him," put in Damocles, with a true 
 courtier's instinct perceiving what the general wanted 
 to know, and eager to please him. " I marked how 
 his brows drew together, as with bodily pain. His 
 lips pressed tight shut, his hands clenched at his sides. 
 He rose from his place without a word. He had not 
 joined the groans of his party. But it was as though 
 a full ten years had been added to him; so drooped 
 his shoulders, so bowed was his head, as he passed 
 out through the doors." 
 
 " Good ! " the soldier approved, vindictively. " I 
 am glad if it roweled him. It was he who led the 
 attack upon me, a year ago. He is still my enemy. 
 And, by Pollux, I am his for I do not forget. 
 He shall learn, and soon, that this triumph of to-day 
 is but a single step in my march." 
 
 He addressed Philistius. 
 
 ' What think you, now ? Would the senate be of 
 a mind to disband, and name me ruler if it were 
 asked of them say, on the morrow? " 
 
 " Nay, be patient," protested the president 
 " That will come in time. We must not risk all, nor 
 
22 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 hasten matters unduly. There are still those upon 
 our side who need to be talked into a stiffer backbone 
 for so bold a move." 
 
 The other nodded, the eager light fading from his 
 eyes. " I can wait," he said, in the grimly laconic 
 tone of one who has proved his right to the palm of 
 Patience. 
 
 " There are some of that number of whom Philis- 
 tius speaks," the greasily opulent Damocles informed 
 him, " who will be waiting, even now, at my house to 
 meet you and hear your plan discussed. Let us walk 
 there." 
 
 But if the general heard him, he gave no sign. 
 Crossing the square in front of them were a bevy 
 of maidens. All of them were fair to see; but one 
 the center of the group, and, so, apparently their 
 leader or mistress was fairest of all. 
 
 " Come, Dionysius," said Philistius, starting off. 
 
 " Yes, yes," the warlord answered vaguely, his 
 eyes still following the girl. " In a moment, broth- 
 ers, in a moment." 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 PYTHIAS' BETROTHAL 
 
 PYTHIAS, in the garden of the hillside villa, 
 meantime was trying, in a fit of wholly un- 
 wonted embarrassment, to tell the great 
 tidings that filled his brain. 
 
 " But I think I can guess what your news is," 
 Damon was saying. " And indeed, Pythias, you are 
 right in believing that whatever good-fortune falls 
 to your lot brings equal joy to me." 
 
 The soldier laughed, with a schoolboy's zest. 
 
 " See if you can foretell what my tidings are I " 
 he invited. " You could not do it, I am sure, in a 
 week's trying. But, go on what think you is the 
 confidence? " 
 
 The other smiled at him in fond assurance. 
 
 " Why, what could it be but one thing? To me 
 who am acquainted with your valor, and seeing you 
 freshly returned from battle, as now, it is no difficult 
 matter to apprehend what good news to yourself, and 
 to those who have your interests at heart, you bring 
 back. Your prowess has won you promotion. You 
 have been given a higher rank in the army than you 
 held before." 
 
 23 
 
24 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 "No!" 
 
 Pythias was laughing at him, boyishly. 
 
 " It has nothing to do," Damon questioned, his 
 forehead crinkling, " with a triumph won by your 
 feats of arms? " 
 
 "Nothing!" 
 
 The blonde warrior laughingly shook his head. 
 
 :< That is," after an instant's thoughtful pause he 
 corrected himself, " it may be that some tale of the 
 successes that have met my efforts in the field, being 
 borne to her ears, helped to sway her heart toward 
 me. She has told me she admires bravery in a man. 
 She" 
 
 The other checked him with brows incredulously 
 uplifted. 
 
 " She ? " he repeated. " What mean these ' shes ' 
 and * hers ' in your speech, Pythias ? Explain your- 
 self!" 
 
 But, by this time having guessed what the other's 
 tidings were to be, the smile had returned to his lips 
 as he watched the soldier. 
 
 " Well, there you have it ! " declared Pythias, 
 spreading out his hands, an embarrassed flush suffus- 
 ing the tan of his handsome face. " Such is my news. 
 I love, at last; and, praise Venus, am loved in return. 
 But by what a maid ! Damon, she is fair fair," 
 he launched, with a rush of lover's eloquence, into 
 a description of his adored one, " as the rosy dawn 
 itself. Such laughing eyes she has ! Such dimpling 
 
PYTHIAS' BETROTHAL 25, 
 
 cheeks! She is like some young daughter of the 
 goddess of laughter, sent down to earth to show us 
 dreary mortals what joyous life may be. Not the 
 Graces themselves could outvie the poetry of motion 
 in her going. Light as thistledown " 
 
 44 Pythias turned orator! " murmured the states- 
 man in wonder. " But who is this Divinity, may one 
 inquire? " 
 
 " She is Calanthe," Pythias replied. " And if you 
 but knew her, you too would chant her praises with- 
 out ever wearying. She is the daughter of Arria (a 
 widow of means whose house is in the street of the 
 Three Arches). It was while I was on furlough, 
 three months ago, that first I met her. Before a 
 dozen words had passed between us, love had en- 
 tered my heart; and 'twas the same with her. She 
 promised to name me the day she would be mine, 
 when I returned again from the wars. And she had 
 kept her word, within this same hour. We are 
 plighted to take the marriage vow, a fortnight from 
 to-morrow." 
 
 Damon, rising soberly, took the other's hand. 
 
 " I wish you as much happiness, as I have found 
 in wedlock with this sweet woman, here. The gods 
 granting me that prayer, you will not need to sacri- 
 fice to them for any further favor." 
 
 His friend, grown serious likewise, looked from 
 one to the other of the pair before him. 
 
 " Indeed," he said, " I would ask for nothing 
 
26 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 more than that. That I may know throughout my 
 future married life the same rich content you have 
 found in yours I echo your great wish." 
 
 Damon, with a deepening of the gravity on his 
 countenance, turned to the woman who sat on the 
 fountain's marble brim beside him. 
 
 " Leave me to talk for a while with Pythias, 1 ' he 
 gently ordered. 
 
 But even when Hermion had departed into the 
 villa, Damon was silent. He took up his slow pacing 
 back and forth once more, with hands clasped behind 
 him. Watching his frowning profile, his friend's 
 look of concern returned. 
 
 " Damon " laying a hand again upon his shoul- 
 der to stop him in the midst of his restless walk, and 
 so swing him about to gain a full look into his face, 
 " what is preying upon your mind? " 
 
 The senator reseated himself upon the brink of the 
 fountain. 
 
 " I did not speak of it before her," the soldier 
 went on, still regarding him from under a worried 
 frown, " for fear of rousing her alarm " 
 
 " She suspects, I fear," Damon, glancing toward 
 the doorway behind them, broke in musingly, half to 
 himself. " But she does not know, not yet. 
 That is why I sent her away." 
 
 "Know? Suspect?" repeated the warrior, in 
 stark mystification. " What, will you tell me ? 
 Perhaps, because I speak of noting its effect upon 
 
PYTHIAS' BETROTHAL 27 
 
 you, you think I, too, suspect the cause of your un- 
 easy mind. But, I assure you, I do not ! What has 
 gone amiss with you in my absence? " 
 
 The other looked up at him grimly. 
 
 " You told me," he answered with meaning, " that 
 you had heard the result of the election to-day." 
 
 Sitting down beside him, his friend held him off by 
 both shoulders. 
 
 " New silver among those locks, at the temples," 
 he read aloud the inventory which his shrewd gaze 
 made. " A fresh network of wrinkles beside the 
 eyes. A brow deeper-furrowed by at least three 
 added creases. Man, you have aged five years in 
 the six months since I saw you last! And all for 
 what? Because of a change in our country's poli- 
 tics ? A change that will be forgotten in less than a 
 decade in another change, as that will be lost to 
 memory in another, and so on as the history of 
 affairs of state, since first they began, has ever proven. 
 You surely have not been so foolish as to brood over 
 such a trifling matter! If nothing more than that 
 has destroyed your peace of mind, be advised by 
 me : Think no more of it. You take far too seri- 
 ously the office you hold." 
 
 14 The office I hold I " echoed the other reflectively; 
 and so sat for a space in thought. With a slow 
 smile, he turned at length to his well-meaning ad- 
 viser. 
 
 " Pythias," he said, leaning forward and speaking 
 
28 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 with forefinger illustratively laid across one palm, 
 " you are a general in the army of this country of 
 ours. You have sworn, on accepting your commis- 
 sion, to defend with your life its gates, should they 
 be attacked by some enemy. Suppose hostile hordes 
 were at hand, to storm those same gates. That they 
 were even now swarming over the walls, to put to 
 the torch all this fair land of yours and mine. Has 
 that, thus far in the history of nations, not been 
 done, and then forgotten in succeeding time of peace, 
 which in turn has been blotted from the minds of men 
 in red war's new coming? What would you do, 
 then? Throw down the sword and shield you had 
 vowed to your country's defense, and run to save 
 your own life because you knew the incident would 
 be forgotten in a few years ? " 
 
 " No ! " flared the other. " No, by Mars ! You 
 know me better ! " 
 
 The statesman rose, with a shrug. 
 
 " Exactly so," he responded, resuming his restive 
 pacing as before. " I, too, took a vow, when I ac- 
 cepted my commission as a servant of the people. 
 It was to defend our country's welfare. Not, as in 
 your case, with brawn. But with brain. And now 
 an enemy does threaten us. One viler than any bar- 
 barian tribe that might be sent to scale our walls, 
 since it is from within the walls themselves the men- 
 ace comes at the hands of traitors. And you call 
 this a trifling matter; one I ought to take less to 
 
PYTHIAS' BETROTHAL 29 
 
 heart? When I see the land I have pledged myself 
 to protect so endangered? And myself too weak to 
 redeem that pledge ? For, Pythias, you would have 
 an army at your back to repel that other attack. 
 And what have I? We are so few so pitifully 
 few," he clenched his hands in impotent. anguish; 
 " we who hold our patriotism higher than the highest 
 bribe could reach as against the number we op- 
 pose. You do not guess why I am near to the brink 
 of distraction. But think of yourself in my place, 
 and you will quickly understand. I must I will 
 hold to my vow, no matter what the cost ! " 
 
 He halted to gaze, as before, down upon the 
 roof-tops of the town in the far-off vale. But 
 now his eyes, as they rested upon it, held a zealot's 
 fire. 
 
 " One deed only can end it ! " he breathed. " And 
 that deed I must take into my own hands. I have 
 seen it coming. For that reason, I sent her and the 
 child out here into the country on pretext of the little 
 one's health. But in reality it was to have them 
 safe out of harm's way, when the time comes to 
 strike the blow " 
 
 " Damon, are you mad? " queried the soldier, half 
 starting up and gazing at him, aghast. " If I catch 
 your meaning but, listen to me : this must cease. 
 Promise me you will do nothing rash. I must have 
 your word that you do not even contemplate " 
 
 The ther checked him with a warning gesture. 
 
30 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 A servant, sent back by Hermion to bring in the little 
 boy, had emerged just then from the villa. 
 
 He was a man of middle age, whose dark, humble 
 eyes were set in a lean, war-seamed face. The green 
 of the slave-tunic blending in the foliage against 
 which he stood at the rear of the garden while he 
 looked for his small charge, lent an added obscurity 
 to his presence. 
 
 Turning back to his guest, Damon waved an in- 
 viting hand toward a bowl of fruit on a nearby pedes- 
 tal. Pythias shook his head. The other, following 
 the soldier's gaze, looked around again to ascertain 
 whether the servant had carried out his errand and 
 gone. 
 
 But Xextus, playing among the pillars of the 
 peristyle pillars which he called his soldiers 
 and being of no mind to give up his sport so soon, 
 had turned, at the head of his slender white, marble 
 legions at the approach of the slave ; brows martially 
 beetling under the toy helmet, mimic sword akimbo, 
 to repel the attack of the invader. 
 
 The slave had given back a step before the tiny, 
 militant figure. All the color drained from his 
 cheeks, he was looking, not at the child, but through 
 him, as though upon some dread vision he saw there. 
 
 Damon, watching, understood what was passing 
 through the fellow's thoughts. His own sped back 
 to a street in Rome, through which he had been 
 
PYTHIAS' BETROTHAL 31 
 
 walking, the business of state that had taken him 
 to that city being completed, on his way from the 
 Forum to his lodgings in the Palatine, on a day three 
 years before. 
 
 Midway of the street before him, he had seen a 
 small group gathered near the deadwall of a build- 
 ing. It had comprised three young men, in the in- 
 signia of Roman officers, and another, of their own 
 age, whose robe, gathered in the expansive folds of 
 a fop's, revealed him to be a gentleman of leisure; as 
 readily as did his over-ringed white hands. 
 
 Damon had perceived that one of the soldiers was 
 just then adding a fresh spot of red to the two or 
 three that already marred the white skirt of his 
 tunic, as he held the hem of that garment to a thumb 
 which had apparently been wounded by an accidental 
 scratch. 
 
 u And we contend that the blood of a slave is of 
 no different color than yours or ours/* another of 
 the officers had been saying, loud enough for Damon 
 to overhear as he drew nearer. "But come; the 
 question is soon settled. You have a few sesterces, 
 perhaps, my good Pyrrhus, with which to back your 
 opinion in the matter." 
 
 " It is impossible that a slave's blood could be of 
 the same hue as a patrician's," the coxcomb had made 
 answer with disdainful assurance. " But I will 
 wager on it, gladly. A sestertium * that I am right." 
 
 * $400 in our currency. 
 
32 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Damon had halted. He had come close enough 
 to the group by that time to see over their heads. 
 And thus he had made the discovery that it contained 
 yet another member. It was this same slave upon 
 whom his gaze now rested, that he had then seen 
 standing with his back to the wall, hemmed in by the 
 knot of disputants. Ashen cheeked, then as now, 
 the wretch had been staring in dumb, sick-eyed terror 
 at the short swords of two of the three officers. 
 
 " Stay a moment," the soldier with the bleeding 
 thumb had objected. " We have not yet decided 
 who pays for your slave. We shall open him well, 
 in order to leave no doubt in your mind. Shall we 
 agree that you are to stand his loss, along with the 
 wager, if your judgment is proved wrong? And we 
 to reimburse you for him, in case we are the losers? " 
 
 " That will be another sestertium," the dandy, in 
 smiling confidence, had nodded his agreement to the 
 terms. " I paid that much for him to Draco, the 
 dealer, last summer but he has proved worth the 
 price. I would hesitate to lose so good a servant, 
 were it not that, with the two sestertia which I am 
 about to receive from you, it should not be a difficult 
 matter for me to find another as good. Strike, 
 Hecale, and you, Gracchus, and let us have the 
 matter put to the proof! " 
 
 Damon had stepped forward. 
 
 " Your pardon, sirs," he had apologized quietly 
 for his intrusion. 
 
PYTHIAS' BETROTHAL 33 
 
 The three officers, at sight of his senatorial toga, 
 had given way before him respectfully. The fop, 
 however, had shown no such deference for the 
 stranger's rank. Turning, he had looked the in- 
 truder up and down with haughty eyes. 
 
 " Why," he had begun, coldly, " I, myself, can 
 see no reason why you should be granted pardon for 
 breaking in upon a conversation that does not pos- 
 sibly concern " 
 
 " A desire to be of service to you," Damon had 
 bowed, in unsmiling response, " by settling the dis- 
 cussion I have overheard you engaged in, is my ex- 
 cuse. It entitles me, I think, to forgiveness for the 
 interruption. Your friends, these soldiers, are 
 right. The blood that runs through the veins of 
 that vassal," tapping his breast, " is the same as 
 mine. Its color is no different from any other fel- 
 low-being's. I would not advise you to touch him 
 with your swords, since " and Damon had placed 
 a bag of gold pieces in the hand of the astonished ex- 
 quisite " since, on the payment to you of twice 
 what I have heard you say he cost you, he now be- 
 longs to me." 
 
 Beckoning the slave to his side, Damon had been 
 about to walk on. 
 
 " I am not a slave-dealer! " the young dandy had 
 checked him, in a tone of scornful wrath. 
 
 " Nor are you a fit master for any slave," the older 
 man, turning to face him, had answered with laconic 
 
34 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 sternness. " Nor fit to hold knightly rank. A true 
 knight does no man wrong." 
 
 He had passed on down the street. The servant 
 whose life he had saved had followed at his heels 
 and had thenceforth loved him as a dog its master. 
 
 
 Now Damon spoke with quiet, but obedience- 
 compelling, firmness to the child. 
 
 " Xextus, go into the house with Lucullus," he 
 directed. 
 
 The lad, dropping his pose of playful menace be- 
 fore the servant, turned at the voice of paternal au- 
 thority. The slave had got back his grip on him- 
 self. Stepping forward, with a bow of apology to 
 his master and the latter' s guest for his intrusion 
 upon their occupancy of the garden, Lucullus picked 
 the child up in his arms and convoyed his burden of 
 protestingly wriggling small boyhood into the villa. 
 
 Damon, turning back from watching their de- 
 parture, saw his friend frowningly regarding the 
 ground at his feet. 
 
 14 But enough of my troubles," the statesman, 
 with a self-condemnatory headshake, went on in a 
 tone of assumed lightness " This is a bright day 
 for you, Pythias do not let me cloud it by bother- 
 ing you with my cares." 
 
 Pythias rose, the troubled wrinkle still between his 
 brows. 
 
 " It is not as bright a day for me as it was, I can- 
 
PYTHIAS' BETROTHAL 35 
 
 not but admit," he answered ruefully. ' To come 
 back this way and find you so sore distressed, grieves 
 me" 
 
 " Do not let it grieve you," the other interrupted, 
 laying his hand in turn upon his shoulder with an 
 affectionate smile. " It has been good to see you. 
 But I have made you spend too much time away from 
 your Calanthe. I would not have you think ill of 
 me. So, if you are in haste to return to the city " 
 
 " But 'tis a strange thing," the soldier broke in, 
 " how love works in one. It is all new to me. But, 
 though I left her not an hour ago, I am a-hunger at 
 this moment for another sight of her, as though it 
 were a week since we parted." 
 
 " I will summon Hermion," his host responded, 
 with an understanding nod, " that we may both take 
 leave of her. For I shall accompany you on your 
 journey. I must know," he continued, with a return 
 of his former seriousness, as he looked down again 
 upon the town " what is going on there." 
 
 Pythias stepped to his side. 
 
 " But remember," he charged, " I have asked you 
 to pledge me that you will make no rash move. 
 You must be careful, Damon. Not alone for your- 
 self for I know too well how little you would 
 think of that but for the sake of all of us who 
 love you, you will attempt nothing desperate. ' Cau- 
 tion!'"^ 
 
CHAPTER IV; 
 
 HE WHO COVETS 
 
 UP the winding, chariot-rutted road ran 
 Calanthe, pursued by her maidens. The 
 gay breeze, borne from the blue waters of 
 the Mediterranean, whipped her gold bronze curls 
 into her laughing eyes, whence she shook them free ; 
 and lifted the silken folds of her snow white dra- 
 peries, till they snapped smartly about her tiny, san- 
 daled feet and slender ankles. 
 
 She turned, both hands clasped to her wind-tossed 
 locks and called gayly to her companions. 
 
 "Sluggards, heavy-footed ones!" she mocked. 
 '' What is it that weights your steps? Calanthe out- 
 strips you all; and despite the strong breezes and 
 the hills to climb, is not a bit the worse for breath. 
 Come, come, vie with her fleetness, lest she call you 
 old and that before you have found your life- 
 mates! " 
 
 A slender maid, whose sleek, jet-black head was 
 closely bound with golden fillet, darted up the slope 
 in pursuit. With gay, little outbursts of mirth the 
 remaining four gave chase. Beauty, grace, gayety, 
 and the unbridled spirit of happy youth, on the green 
 
 36 
 
HE WHO COVETS 37j 
 
 hills outside Syracuse, while below, in the heart of 
 the city, craft, hatred and the shedding of blood ruled 
 supreme. 
 
 " Calanthe, do not be so willing, nay anxious to 
 be rid of us, on this, one of the last days of your 
 freedom, " gasped Eunice, the leader of the pursuing 
 band, grasping the flying folds of her companion's 
 tunic. 
 
 With a little shout of dismay, the fleet Calanthe 
 tripped and fell to the green sward. Her maids 
 swooped down upon her and held her prisoner, while 
 she pleaded in vain. 
 
 " Always do those filled with conceit tumble to 
 earth, before they have soared too high, sweet," cen- 
 sured Eunice, pressing close a tiny red garland that 
 encircled the brow of the captured one. 
 
 " And now that you have tasted the dust, we will 
 set you free, on the sole account that, in so short a 
 time, you will be bound for always and never again 
 taste freedom ! " chaffed another. 
 
 " Who speaks of freedom and those bound? " in- 
 dignantly demanded the tortured one. " 'Tis but 
 the lack of that same prison cell and those iron chains, 
 that tips your tongues with smarting language. 
 Who would not be bound in the arms of him who is 
 beautiful and beloved by all the city? Who would 
 not inhabit a cell, with a lover whose voice is liquid 
 music, whose eyes are fiery pools with wondrous 
 depths to be sounded? " 
 
38 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Flinging her rose garland into the face of the open- 
 mouthed Eunice, Calanthe sprang from the ring of 
 admiring maids and darted toward her mother's 
 garden. 
 
 Down at the foot of the hill, a figure, lean but 
 squat, with helmet and breastplate catching the low- 
 slant rays of a late sun and red-striped mantle wrap- 
 ping its ill-shaped knotty legs in obedience to the 
 wind, plodded its upward path. 
 
 With the grim, sardonic persistence that character- 
 ized all his acts, Dionysius was in pursuit. Men of 
 state, his hirelings, awaited to thresh out the ways 
 and means to a throne the overthrow of a popu- 
 lace ruled city, the introduction of a crown. 
 And he, whose brow the crown was to grace, gasped 
 and fought for breath, as he pursued, uphill, the 
 lithe, fascinating form of a Grecian maid. 
 
 The ascent accomplished, he leaned upon the stone 
 gate and surveyed the roof-tops of the city he had 
 just left. With a sudden victorious gesture, laden 
 with vindictiveness, he flung aloft his right arm and 
 extended it, as in a sort of benediction, toward Syra- 
 cuse a benediction that was grooved with curses ; 
 then he turned, and, with a slight pressure, swung 
 in the gate and stepped into the garden of Arria, 
 mother of Calanthe. 
 
 Treading a graveled path, brilliantly bordered 
 with a variety of blooms, Dionysius came upon a 
 shaded, green-carpeted grove of silver birch trees. 
 
HE WHO COVETS 39 
 
 ~In the center, a fountain of shell-pink marble, flecked 
 with gray held crystal clear waters, that reflected 
 the slender, white tree trunks. And around the 
 basin sported Calanthe and her maids. 
 
 " It is not fitting that we be so joyous and without 
 sacred calm, having but just come from the temple, 
 where we offered sacrifice to insure your happiness in 
 coming marriage," expostulated Eunice, suddenly 
 dropping to the ground in sedate determination. 
 
 ' You talk as though my marriage were but the 
 approach to my tomb ! " pouted Calanthe. " I will 
 not have it so. My heart is brimful of joy and hope 
 and my head abuzz with divine ideas of what happi- 
 ness will be mine. Come, let us dance! Come, 
 Eunice ! See, I plead so prettily, dear one." 
 
 Thus cajoled, Eunice sprang to her feet and lifted 
 her slender arms above her head. 
 
 " This time it shall be the dance of lilies,*' she 
 ordained. " Pure, cold, sedate, like a sheaf of the 
 blossoms themselves. Gather some to be borne on 
 our arms a symbol of our chastened spirits." 
 
 " No not lilies," objected Calanthe. "They 
 are beauteous blooms for altar or casket But for 
 love ! For love, sweet Eunice, there must be roses ; 
 pink and creamy yellow, for the love that not yet has 
 flamed; but red, crimson-red for a love like mine. 
 Is it not so, my maids, that the red, red rose betokens 
 love?" 
 
 "It is indeed!" interposed a rasping voice. 
 
40 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " But who has brought such worldly knowledge to 
 so sweet an innocent as Calanthe ? " 
 
 Eunice, in sudden fright, dropped her perfumed 
 burden of pink and crimson and darted to Calanthe's 
 side. With a harsh laugh Dionysius, a jarring, in- 
 congruous note in the gay garden, stepped into view. 
 One by one the other maids shrank behind the trem- 
 bling figure of their leader. 
 
 u Why this fright? Why this fleeing as from a 
 monster? I was but looking on, in profound ad- 
 miration of your dancing." 
 
 Dionysius for whom men sold their souls, whose 
 raised hand in battle drove hordes of brave soldiers 
 to their deaths, was plainly aggrieved at the uncon- 
 cealed horror in the pretty eyes of the huddled group 
 before him. 
 
 Her first dismay allayed, Calanthe woke to the 
 realization that before her stood her lover's general. 
 She knew the utter awe in which this man was held. 
 She felt that if she were to help Pythias at all, her 
 first duty was not to offend his superior. Taking 
 Eunice by the hand, she pulled her forward. 
 
 " Look you, Eunice, 'tis Dionysius, the overlord of 
 our army! " (" My Pythias " was trembling on her 
 lips, but with a sudden burst of diplomacy she substi- 
 tuted " our army.") " It is an honor to be visited 
 in our little garden, by one whose name rings through 
 the streets of Syracuse! " 
 
 With a sudden, forced humility, the maids bent 
 
Universal Film Manufacturing Co. 
 
 CALANTHE AND HER MAIDS. 
 
Universal Film Manufacturing Co. 
 
 "OH, MY PYTHIAS. YOU WILL NOT GO?' 
 
HE WHO COVETS 41 
 
 low before the armored figure. Then, as silently, 
 rose to their feet and stood grave and abashed. 
 The warlord took off his helmet. A stray shaft of 
 sunlight fell on his head, accentuating the hollows 
 under the high cheekbones, the sunken, gimlet eyes 
 and the knotted tautness of the mouth corners. 
 
 " It is not thus that I would see you," he observed. 
 " So suddenly has the light gone from your eyes and 
 the laughter from your lips. Be gay again and let 
 me feast my weary eyes on the grace of your steps 
 and the music of your mirth. Will you not bid me 
 be seated, fair Calanthe? " 
 
 " In this grove we have not a bench, my lord, but 
 if the fountain edge will " 
 
 " The fountain edge shall be my seat. And you 
 will sit beside me? " 
 
 Calanthe twisted her pretty hands in sudden ter- 
 ror. Half unconsciously she fell back a step toward 
 Eunice, who was looking on, resentment plainly 
 graven on her lovely face. This intruder! What 
 right had he to invade the privacy of a maid's gar- 
 den? A warlord in pursuit of a dancing gazelle! 
 Indeed it was a strange combination and not at all 
 to her liking. She went forward and slipped an arm 
 about Calanthe's waist. 
 
 " Do you know when first I saw you, Calanthe? " 
 questioned Dionysius, an amused gleam transforming 
 the cold steel of his eyes. " 'Twas but a half hour 
 since, outside the entrance to the Academy. Grave 
 
42 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 affairs of state were weighing on my shoulders. 
 Senators stood by to beg my indulgence and ask ad- 
 vice. A parcel of fools, not yet convinced of my 
 supremacy, were about to be convinced by means 
 best known to my satellites, when suddenly there 
 burst upon my vision a dream of loveliness and youth 
 yourself, Calanthe! " 
 
 Eunice's hold tightened about the slender waist of 
 her loved companion. Calanthe, a sullen crimson 
 spreading, as spilled blood, under the velvet white- 
 ness of her flesh, closed and opened her hands con- 
 vulsively. Dionysius laughed. 
 
 " Think you 'tis often that generals of invincible 
 armies push to one side the powerful ones and pursue 
 to mountaintops a tiny maid, unused to the life and 
 gayeties of cities? " 
 
 Calanthe dropped in a quivering, disconcerted 
 heap, at his feet. With a sudden gesture he stooped 
 and lifted her by her little icy hands. 
 
 " Do not hide your beauty, sweet one," he be- 
 sought; not restrained by his openmouthed audience 
 of awestruck maidens. " It has ne'er been my good 
 fortune to look upon such rounded damask cheeks, 
 such snowy shoulders or such luscious lips. From 
 whence comes your wondrous loveliness, Calanthe? " 
 
 " Oh, my lord, you do but joke with me." Calan- 
 the's voice was choked with fear and indignation. 
 " I am but a poor subject for your brilliant speeches; 
 and for beauty I am badly off. Why, the face of 
 
HE WHO COVETS 43 
 
 jiny of my maids, reflected in this fountain, casts to 
 the heavens a far more glorious image than my 
 
 own." 
 
 " It is not true," murmured the overlord, pressing 
 too closely her imprisoned hands. " Your fingertips 
 are chilled, child. I would cast a wager they were 
 not so before my approach. Come, look into my 
 eyes with those violet orbs that drew me hither. 
 Have no fear. All my power fades before your 
 glance and my stern will shall be clay to your pretty 
 fingers. Come, look! " 
 
 With an intimate gesture, Dionysius tilted up the 
 dimpled chin and smiled into the frightened face. 
 Calanthe broke from his grasp and turned as if to 
 flee. 
 
 Suddenly came thoughts of Pythias, resplendent 
 in war regalia, strong, erect, beautiful as the sunlit 
 day. This man was his overlord. If he wished to 
 confer favors, he, and he alone, held the power to 
 do so. If he wished to overwhelm and disgrace, he 
 had but to raise a finger. 
 
 A poor helpmeet would she be for her lover, if at 
 the first distaste, she escape the mighty one and thus 
 destroy his chances, when their relationship should 
 be discovered. 
 
 " Your pretty words are overwhelming," she said. 
 " And my poor brain is stunned with the honor. 
 Pray let us converse on other matters, for the mo- 
 ment, till I get back my calm of everyday existence. 
 
44 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Think you that there will be more battle to call our 
 army again to the front? " 
 
 "Battle? Army? What coarse words to issue 
 from the velvet lips of a sweet flower like yourself ! 
 What know you of battles and armies, tender one? 
 Your converse should be of butterflies and blossoms, 
 of sunshine and sweets. Speak not again of battle. 
 The clash of swords is a memory that grates my ears, 
 when I am seated here in your perfumed paradise. 
 What do you know of battle, child? " 
 
 " Alas, but little ! I would know more, but no 
 one will speak to me of it. It would be wonderful 
 to see the fire of men's spirits as they dash into the 
 fray. To hear the dull roar of trampling hoofs and 
 chariot wheels. ,To note the blood-red quivering 
 nostrils of the steeds, urged into the thick of the fight- 
 ing; and the harsh clang of sword on shield, when it 
 fails to penetrate. It mounts to my brain like wine 
 and it is just the imagining of my foolishness/' 
 
 Dionysius glanced through half-shut lids. His 
 under lip was caught in sudden misgiving, lending his 
 face the expression of a swooping hawk. 
 
 u That is not the imagining of either a foolish, or 
 an adroit, mind. You have been spoken to by a sol- 
 dier who has seen battle. Your soul has caught the 
 war-fire from his. Was it the spark of love that 
 performed the ignition? Who was he who inspired 
 you?" 
 
 " Your surmise is incorrect, my lord. But often 
 
HE WHO COVETS 45 ; 
 
 have I heard my elders speak of ancestors great in 
 battle. The spirit is in the sons of our family, from 
 their sires, and grandsires. But I, alas, a girl, can 
 share none of it and sit, an alien, on the outside rank, 
 to listen and that is all." 
 
 " I think there is something secreted from me. 
 In that tender breast is locked a something I am 
 ignorant of." 
 
 Dionysius clamped his pointed chin between a 
 nervous thumb and forefinger. It was a gesture 
 well known to his associates and feared by his under- 
 lings. 
 
 " But since you ask of present battle news and the 
 possibility of our army being again called forth, fair 
 Calanthe, I will say that I know not what conditions 
 are at Agrigentum. For days past, my ambitions 
 have been resting here, in Syracuse. By nightfall, 
 however, there should be word. Now come, enough 
 of this grave talk. Your snowy brow is furrowed 
 and your cheek is faded ashen. If you would 
 please me, dance. Entrance me, as you did when, 
 unseen, I saw your golden sandals flashing in the 
 dying sun, as you lifted your rosy feet in gay meas- 
 ures. Dance, Calanthe dance for me and en- 
 thrall me!" 
 
 " Dance with your love roses," whispered Eunice. 
 " The aged fool need not know that they signify 
 the twined hearts of Pythias and you. Dance for 
 him, with the love of Pythias shrouding your soul; 
 
46 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 and the mountain of conceit will take unto himself 
 the radiance of your glance." 
 
 " I will! " agreed Calanthe, bounding to her feet 
 and gathering with a wild suddenness the scattered 
 garlands. 
 
 For a moment she poised on the tips of her toes, 
 arms thrown aloft, twined with crimson blooms. 
 Her head thrown back, revealed the perfect line of 
 throat melting into bosom. Dionysius watched with 
 greedy eyes. 
 
 As the dance grew more and more violent he 
 leaned forward, from the fountain edge, his thin 
 lips compressed and twitching at the corners, his 
 eyes narrowed and pierced by a lustful gleam, his 
 nostrils dilating and contracting spasmodically. 
 
 Faster and faster spun Calanthe, till she was but 
 a blur of silken whiteness, gold and crimson. Then, 
 in a final burst of abandon, she flung far the scarlet 
 garland and fell to earth, a panting, radiant, laugh- 
 ing sprite. 
 
 For the space of a second Dionysius sat motion- 
 less, while a dull flood of color surged under his 
 sallow skin and sought his temples. There it 
 pounded at his brain until his breath came in quick, 
 hot gasps. Uttering a sound half triumph, half 
 goulishness, he snatched the pulsing Calanthe from 
 the ground, pinioned her in a vise-like grip and fas- 
 tened his dry, burning lips to her mouth. 
 
 Eunice and the maids gasped in horror to see their 
 
HE WHO COVETS 47 
 
 mistress so assailed; yet made no advance to rescue 
 her from the arms of the vandal. 
 
 Calanthe needed no aid. At first contact her heart 
 had stood still in her breast. Then the sickening 
 terror of it gave her strength, superhuman strength, 
 and she fought and kicked and bit her way to free- 
 dom. 
 
 Once out of his grasp, outraged, quivering with 
 anger, she raised her hand and cut him sharply across 
 the mouth. 
 
 " Now go ! " she commanded, imperious in her 
 fury. " Warlord, general, commander of men, that 
 you are, you have for once stepped too far. Leave 
 this garden and do not enter it again, whether there 
 be pretext or whether there be none. Go ! " 
 
 Dionysius bent to take his helmet from the foun- 
 tain edge, his eyes still fastened on the indignant 
 maid before him. As if in insolent retort, he pulled 
 down one corner of his purpling mouth and laughed. 
 It curdled the blood of his victim, but she stood, 
 taut and defiant, her hand still indicating the white 
 stone gate. 
 
 And a moment later, through this same gate, 
 slouched Dionysius, the warlord of Syracuse, to be 
 greeted by Damocles and Philistius, who had come 
 in search of him, alarmed at his long absence. 
 
 " What has kept you, Dionysius? " queried Philis- 
 tius, a hint of petulance in his tone. " There were 
 several awaiting you at the house of Damocles, to 
 
48 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 discuss, in serious vein, that which you so keenly de- 
 sire and you came not." 
 
 " Hold," muttered the general. " I have been 
 much worried and distressed. I " 
 
 He cast a crafty look back over his shoulder, 
 where could be dimly seen a white-robed, closely 
 huddled group, through the silver birches. 
 
 Philistius followed the look and grinned. Damo- 
 cles, unknowing and slow to comprehend, looked 
 from one to the other in blank bewilderment. 
 
 "What is this secret understanding? This ex- 
 change of shoulder-shrugs and lifted eyebrows? Is 
 there that afloat that would not interest me ? " 
 
 Philistius pointed expressively to the distant gar- 
 den and tapped Dionysius on the shoulder. 
 
 " There must be other maids as fair," he sug- 
 gested significantly. " For this one is the property 
 of none other than our famed Pythias. Calanthe, 
 daughter of Arria and betrothed of Pythias, to whom 
 she is plighted to take the marriage vow a fortnight 
 from to-morrow." 
 
 Damocles awoke from his nebulous condition. 
 
 " Knew you it not? " he asked, in bland and child- 
 like manner; "all Syracuse has known. He is in- 
 deed a lucky warrior, to attain a bosom flower as 
 fair as she. Hal And so you thought she'd be 
 enamored of your charms and flutter to your em- 
 brace?" 
 
 " Enough of this insensate jesting," croaked 
 
HE WHO COVETS 49 
 
 Dionysius. " A man may view a maid without 
 thoughts of theft or of wedding feast. She is but a 
 pretty child. Let us proceed. The descent will not 
 tax the breath, as did the mounting." 
 
 But in his brain the persistent taunt, " The be- 
 trothed of Pythias ! " drove him to madness, till he 
 thought aloud: 
 
 " So 'tis from him she absorbed the fire of war. 
 It was he who filled her pretty head with battle 
 tales. Pythias! Forsooth it will bear looking 
 into. That Pythias should possess what Dionysius 
 covets! It will indeed bear looking into! " 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 OUT OF THE WAY 
 
 A SLAVE swung back the heavy folds of pur- 
 ple velvet that concealed the portal of the 
 inner courtyard. From afar, the roar of 
 voices, broken now and again by blatant trumpeting, 
 rumbled into the silence of the dwelling of Diony- 
 sius. The slave, black ebony limbs rigid, thin arms 
 folded stiffly, stood in silence, awaiting his master. 
 In the polished marble floor the sheen of his flesh 
 was reflected. From countless polished urns of brass 
 and silver it was thrown back at him. 
 
 A sound from without caused him to shiver 
 slightly. The next instant the purple folds behind 
 him parted and Dionysius, followed by Damocles, 
 strode into the room. 
 
 "Have ye not progressed?" Damocles was ask- 
 ing with some asperity. " We have attained the 
 vantage ground whence your broad view may take a 
 boundless prospect. Is it not enough to report for 
 so short a period of labor? " 
 
 Dionysius swung upon him viciously. 
 
 " So short a period of labor! I have labored all 
 the years that have been mine. I have labored from 
 
 50 
 
OUT OF THE WAY 51 
 
 my infancy. I shall labor to my grave. When 
 others sleep, I plan. When others play, I dream. 
 And my dreams merge into plans and my plans 
 into realities. But the striving for greater and still 
 greater rewards in life has sapped the life blood 
 from my arteries and dried the energies I once pos- 
 sessed." 
 
 ' Think, when downcast, of the day when the 
 great reward shall come," urged Damocles, stretch- 
 ing his length upon a gaudy silken couch, brave in 
 gold trappings and fringes. " Think of the time, 
 when borne through the city's streets, in your regal 
 chariot, the populace shall hail you " 
 
 Dionysius leaped forward and laid a forbidding 
 hand over the mouth of the speaker. 
 
 " S-h-h ! " he hissed, glancing from side to side 
 and behind him, at the draped portals. " Who may 
 not hear, when least it is expected ? The word itself 
 has never crossed my lips, nor shall it till the day 
 when it is no more a matter of conjecture." 
 
 As he whispered the last words his glance fell 
 upon the African slave standing motionless inside 
 the portal. Amazed, his eyes wandered from the 
 huge, broad-toed feet, flattened on the marble floor, 
 to the head, bound in folds of green and crimson 
 silks. 
 
 The expression that distorted his features was first 
 one of nameless terror that broadened into baffled 
 rage. With a mighty oath he strode toward the 
 
2 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 stiffened figure and tore from its head the soft, glis- 
 tening mass of silk. As if unfurling a banner, he 
 whipped it against the air, till not a fold remained; 
 then with twitching, uncertain fingers tore it to shreds 
 and cast it to the floor. 
 
 The slave remained motionless. Not a ripple of 
 the ebony flesh greeted this maniacal outburst. 
 Dionysius, feet spread, arteries on neck and temples 
 swelled to bursting, stood before him, choking out a 
 torrent of words. 
 
 " What mean you, black scum that you are, by de- 
 fying my commands of the manner of clothing your 
 body? Have I not often said that I wish no orna- 
 mentation, no superfluous display of silken stuffs, 
 no ? Bah ! Of what use to spend the energy I so 
 sadly need upon the crass stupidity of a slave born 
 without the means of thinking! Begone! And 
 bring a bowl, full, double spiced and heated through, 
 that Damocles and I may forget your transgres- 
 sions! " 
 
 As the velvet folds fell behind the retreating slave, 
 Dionysius sank into a cushioned seat and dropped 
 his head upon a trembling hand. Twice he started 
 to speak, then hesitated, as if not knowing in just 
 what terms to couch his explanation. 
 
 Damocles, half-raised on one fat elbow, watched 
 him with the keenness of an obese hawk. 
 
 " Why this sudden passion vented upon an of- 
 fenseless slave?" he asked at length. " Is it that 
 
OUT OF THE WAY 53 
 
 your tense control must snap, to send relief to your 
 worried brain? " 
 
 To the half-buried sting in the words of compas- 
 sion, Dionysius paid no heed. But he gave answer 
 to the direct question. 
 
 " I ask no clemency or indulgence. I require 
 none. When once this brain and self-control of 
 mine shall snap, as some frail glass stem, then will 
 the workings of my heart be still and the breath no 
 longer ooze from my lungs. Nay! I ask no relief. 
 But I demand obedience and it is one of my uncom- 
 promising rules that no attendant about my dwelling 
 shall wear draperies that might act as nests of con- 
 cealment." 
 
 " Nests of concealment!" echoed the amazed 
 Damocles. "What is your meaning, Dionysius?" 
 
 An utter silence followed. Damocles with curi- 
 osity writ large upon his fat-joweled, blue-red counte- 
 nance looked through, rather than at him. Diony- 
 sius' brows were shirred into a hundred creases, his 
 lips so tightly clamped together, that they radiated 
 blue-white lines that ate into his cheeks. 
 
 At last he spoke : 
 
 '' These are the days when a man who is ambitious 
 protects his life by warding off what might come, not 
 that which is already here." 
 
 ' You mean " gasped Damocles, rising in sudden 
 horror from the couch. 
 
 " Just that," agreed Dionysius; " but look not so 
 
54 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 perturbed. My fears cannot jeopardize your 
 safety, my friend." 
 
 " But here, you fear? Here, within the walls of 
 your own dwelling, you dare not trust the hands that 
 serve you? " 
 
 " Fear always the nearest hand, regardless of the 
 body to which it may be fastened," warned the over- 
 lord grimly. " Remember the dagger point will find 
 its mark, only when drawn at a close angle. Ah, the 
 bowl! And the scent of spices touches my nostrils 
 with a pleasing sting." 
 
 Silently the slave drew an onyx pedestal before 
 the couch of Damocles and placed thereon a steaming 
 tankard. From side stands of ivory and pearl, he 
 took two goblets of beaten silver and dipped them 
 into the hot liquid, presenting the first to Damocles, 
 the remaining one to his master. 
 
 Dionysius placed a cupped hand on either side of 
 the goblet and raised it, at arm's length, above his 
 head. 
 
 " In this draught we drown all our fears and worri- 
 some imaginings," he proposed, " and from its stim- 
 ulus, shall be born the undaunted knowledge of fu- 
 ture triumph a future not far distant, I swear 
 it!" 
 
 With heads erect, elbows at right angles to their 
 bodies and hands flattened against the goblet sides, 
 the two men drank. 
 
 But hardly had the first gulp gladdened their 
 
OUT OF THE WAY 55 
 
 throats, when sounds of an altercation, outside the 
 portal, arose, above the distant clamor of the crowded 
 streets. The voices of slaves and pages raised in 
 protest were drowned by the resonant commands 
 of one of higher culture. Nearer and nearer came 
 the violent group, until the purple velvet hanging 
 was swayed to and fro in answer to the physical 
 struggle that was taking place on the other side. 
 
 With a mighty wrench the hanging was torn from 
 its fastenings and a cluster of mauling, viciously hos- 
 tile men, fell over the threshold. 
 
 From the kicking, thumping mass, one man de- 
 tached himself. With a triumphant cry he headed 
 for Dionysius, followed by the howling attendants. 
 Breathless, scratched and bleeding, he fell at th,e 
 feet of the warlord and extended a strip of parch- 
 ment. 
 
 At sight of the bruised, exhausted stranger, Diony- 
 sius fell back a step or two, until he found support 
 against the jellylike anatomy of Damocles. As the 
 intruder remained silent and still kneeling, Dionysius 
 flung aloft his right arm, in wrath. 
 
 " What is this ? " he asked his vassals, his voice 
 high pitched in anger. " Has this household of 
 mine suddenly become like a thing gone mad? Are 
 my commands not to be obeyed nay, even are they 
 to be ignored? Speak up, one or all, I wish to hear 
 your miserable excuses. Then shall I say what I 
 shall say ! " 
 
56 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " My lord, we did protest! " one piping voice tes- 
 tified with all the vehemence born of a severely 
 bruised nose. 
 
 " Aye, protest! And your protests, six in all, did 
 not quell the protest of this one stranger. Monu- 
 ments of strength have I, to protect the gateways of 
 my home ! Who is this man ? " 
 
 " A messenger from Agrigentum," gasped the 
 stranger. " Spent with travel, but with news of 
 grave importance and requests, my lord." 
 
 Urgently he pressed the parchment into the hands 
 of Dionysius. But the fingers did not open to re- 
 ceive it. Instead, the kneeling figure was waived 
 again into the clutch of the waiting slaves. 
 
 '* Take him from my presence and strip him to 
 his dust-bitten hide ! " directed Dionysius. " When 
 he has had complete change of clothing, bring him 
 to me. Then will I peruse the messages from 
 Agrigentum." 
 
 Through a half draped doorway, to the left of 
 the inner courtyard, could be seen the band of slaves 
 ripping the armor and clothing from the body of 
 the exhausted messenger. His flesh, gray-white, 
 where exposed, was separated in well defined sec- 
 tions from the purity of the sheltered stretches of 
 skin. There were ridges dull scarlet and inflamed, 
 alternating with grooves deep cut, from the tightened 
 straps and trappings he had worn. 
 
 Dionysius looked on, perturbed; Damocles, as 
 
i Universal film Manufacturing Co. 
 
 LYING UNDER THE SHADIEST TREES WAS CALANTHE, ATTENDED 
 BY HER MAIDS. 
 

OUT OF THE WAY 57 
 
 though he were witnessing a performance arranged 
 for his exclusive amusement. Dionysius broke the 
 silence. 
 
 " All the day, yes, and for days past, have I known 
 that summons from Agrigentum must come. A 
 strange certainty of disaster has hovered about me, 
 till I welcomed the night to close my eyes, if not my 
 brain, to its insistent whisperings." 
 
 " The news may be of the best," quoth Damocles, 
 comfortably yawning behind his pudgy, over-ringed 
 hand. " You are unnecessarily disturbed." 
 
 "If his tidings were of the best, think you this 
 man, lacking food, dirty, and exhausted, would break 
 into my presence and pant out his need of haste? 
 No, there is something needed. Here he comes, in 
 different garb and stripped of all possible weapons! 
 Now we shall learn the text of the messages." 
 
 " My lord, conditions are grave indeed at Agrigen- 
 tum," reported the messenger. " There is immedi- 
 ate need of additional armies and, most urgent of 
 all is the necessity of a master mind like yours, my 
 lord, to diagram and strategize against the Cartha- 
 ginians, who have but little of the science of war- 
 fare's finer points." 
 
 A gesture stilled the garrulous outburst. Diony- 
 sius unrolled the parchment and let it dangle from 
 his hand. His eyes rapidly traced the scrawled 
 characters. In the gravity of his reading, his eyes 
 receded deeper and deeper into his skull, until the 
 
58 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 overhanging brows seemed to shelter mere cavities. 
 
 " They have need, indeed ! " he exclaimed to Dam- 
 ocles. " My commanders on the field have allowed 
 early defeat to damper ardor and destroy the vision 
 of a possible victory. They see gray. And I am 
 the only one who can bring the rose gleam through 
 the soddenness. Yes, I must go. Although affairs 
 are fast approaching an important issue, I must leave 
 my ambition to strangers and go ! " 
 
 He sighed heavily. 
 
 Damocles, slow to thought, and ponderous after 
 he achieved it, woke to the situation and struck him 
 sharply on the shoulder. The triumph of having 
 solved a difficult dilemma shone from his small, sea- 
 green eyes. He fairly beamed upon the general. 
 
 It was this apparently foundationless satisfaction 
 that roused Dionysius to vehement language. 
 
 " Speak! " he rasped out. " What is the reason 
 of this widening grin and winking eye? Have you 
 but now waked to the point of a comic tale told 
 yesterday, or has the cup just quaffed touched fire to 
 your brain? " 
 
 Impervious to these sarcastic shafts, Damocles 
 proceeded to unfold his plan. 
 
 " Less than an hour back," he strove for oratorical 
 inflection and effective pose, " I heard you murmur 
 that if Pythias, the idol of Syracuse, possess that 
 which Dionysius covet, there would have to be a 
 sudden turn in affairs. Can you see light now, my 
 
OUT OF THE WAY 59 
 
 Dionysius ? A kind fate has made to your order the 
 very situation you desired so fervently." 
 
 " I am rarely slow to comprehension," interrupted 
 Dionysius irritably, " but if you wish me to grasp 
 the import of this master stroke of yours, I fear 
 you must speak more into my mind and less out of 
 your own. What is it that you wish to say, Damo- 
 cles? Dress it in few words and those of the plain- 
 est. One always carries low-priced cloth to a poor 
 tailor and rich materials to the skilled one. So is it 
 with language, my friend simple words to the slow 
 in thought. The brilliant-minded, only, may juggle 
 with embroidered phrases ! " 
 
 " It is this, then," Damocles explained. " Why 
 go to Agrigentum, when Pythias is here? He has 
 just returned from wars in the South. He is cov- 
 ered with glory. His name slips from the mouths 
 of the populace as glibly as the names of their gods. 
 Moreover he holds, in the hollow of his hand, the 
 heart of the fair Calanthe. Once away, who knows 
 but that your fame and that position you are about 
 to attain will win over the maid. It is not an im- 
 possible thing." 
 
 " Send Pythias to Agrigentum? " meditated Diony- 
 sius. " If he be killed in battle, well " 
 
 " Well " echoed Damocles. 
 
 " It shall be done ! " decided the warlord. " Know 
 you where a messenger may find Pythias at this mo- 
 ment? His departure must.be immediate. The 
 
60 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Carthaginians have chilled the blood of our bravest. 
 Aid must go to them before that blood is too hope- 
 lessly congealed." 
 
 The messenger from Agrigentum stepped forward 
 to hear the commands that were to follow. 
 
 " Pythias is at the home of Arria, at this moment," 
 divulged Damocles, overinflated at the vital role of 
 creator of ideas and informer of whereabouts, 
 " Send the messenger direct and he will be here in 
 but few moments." 
 
 Dionysius directed the messenger. 
 
 " The first house on the hill that leads down past 
 the Academy Square. There is a grove of silver 
 birch at the end of a flowered walk," he added, and 
 then railed at his own stupidity. 
 
 " And now that all is settled so wisely and so well, 
 may we not quaff in peace, and let the liquid coat 
 our stomachs with cheer and our brains with wit? " 
 There was a plaintive plea in Damocles' request. 
 An unquaffed bowl was tragedy sufficient to cast down 
 his spirits for the week. 
 
 Deaf to the entreaty, Dionysius walked out upon 
 his balustrade and gazed aloft, where on a strip of 
 white road, indistinct in the dusk, a single horseman 
 urged his steed ahead. It was the messenger from 
 Agrigentum. Dionysius strangled the chuckle that 
 gurgled in his throat. 
 
 In an onyx-paved hall, with pillars of green mot- 
 
OUT OF THE WAY 61 
 
 tied marble, blazed ten torches in bronze bowls. The 
 apartment thus vividly lighted, reflected a myriad of 
 gleams in the translucency of its flooring. 
 
 Calanthe, in brilliant yellow tunic, sat on a low- 
 cushioned bench, her slender fingers threading the 
 golden curls of Pythias, who was seated at her feet. 
 Standing above them, his purple-banded toga show- 
 ing dead black arid white in the torchlight, was 
 Damon. With arms folded loosely across his broad 
 chest, his face wreathed in smiles that breathed a 
 benediction upon the young lovers, he stood, witness 
 to their happiness. 
 
 " A fortnight is too short a time is it not, Da- 
 mon?" Calanthe pouted prettily and looked up 
 into the fine, gentle face of her lover's friend. 
 
 " A fortnight is a lifetime, lived twice," supple- 
 mented Pythias, eagerly. " You, who have found 
 such profound and lasting happiness in wedlock, must 
 tell her so, Damon. The fickle maid would hold me 
 distant many months I doubt not if I should so 
 allow. Ah, my sweet, know you not that life is too 
 short a term in which to crowd the rapture of a 
 perfect love ? And Youth that which blesses you 
 and me at this moment, on the morrow, or the mor- 
 row after that, will take wing and never more re- 
 turn. A fortnight is " 
 
 The irregular hoofbeats of a tired steed drifted 
 in to them, through the white-and-gold draperies. 
 Pythias jumped to his feet. 
 
62 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 'Tis the sound of a horse that is goaded to 
 hot speed," he exclaimed, running to the draped bal- 
 cony that overlooked the entrance path. " He stops 
 here! A man alights! Are you expecting mes- 
 sages of importance, Damon, that they seek you out 
 here?" 
 
 " I am expecting nothing," replied the statesman. 
 " The messages I have this day received have 
 weighed my heart with lead all save one. If the 
 messenger is seeking me, it is an unexpected sum- 
 
 mons." 
 
 The curtains shrouding the entrance to the outer 
 vestibule parted and Eunice ran to Calanthe's side. 
 
 " There is, outside, a handsome messenger. 
 Though wan and worn of feature, yet his form is 
 superb and like unto a " 
 
 4 Whom does he seek?" interrupted Damon, 
 smiling indulgently upon the maid's glowing descrip- 
 tion. 
 
 Eunice's face was suffused with tender blushes. 
 
 " Had you not asked, sir, I would have neglected 
 to say. It is Pythias he seeks. He begs admit- 
 
 tance." 
 
 " Pythias ! " Calanthe darted to her feet and ran 
 into the protecting circle of her loved one's arm. 
 " But why why does he seek Pythias, at this 
 hour?" 
 
 " Let us have him in. That is the shortest way to 
 discern why," suggested Damon. 
 
OUT OF THE WAY 63 
 
 In an instant the messenger stood upon the 
 threshold. His seamed face was lit by the fires of 
 an undying patriotism. He knelt before the giant 
 warrior. 
 
 " I have come to summon you to Dionysius, who 
 in turn was importuned by our generals at Agrigen- 
 tum. We have need of a master mind there. We 
 have need of a steel-clad courage. Dionysius awaits 
 you at his dwelling. I should not, perhaps, have de- 
 livered the message. I may incur his wrath that it 
 came from other lips than his own." 
 
 " He will indeed be wrathful," interposed Damon, 
 smiling in derision. " On a slimmer excuse than 
 that, can our Dionysius vent his spleen. It is the 
 training for his throne in Syracuse, eh, Pythias? " 
 
 " I know not if that be true, my Damon. Diony- 
 sius is revered on the battlefield, his " 
 
 * Yea, he is revered when his countenance is 
 turned to the revering ones. But let the back of his 
 head smile upon them, and lo, the rumble of choked 
 curses rises to wound the ears. He has lived for 
 self alone. He has sacrificed his friends, his honor, 
 his home, upon the altar of a boundless ambition for 
 place and for power. He does pollute the air he 
 breathes ! " 
 
 Pythias raised a protesting palm. 
 
 " A true knight should ever wear the armor of 
 truth and the shield of virtue; against which the 
 shafts of vice and falsehood cannot prevail. Diony- 
 
64 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 sius has ever inspired me to brave deeds he is the 
 model and I the Calanthe, sweet, why do you 
 cling to me so tremblingly? And are these tremors 
 that shake your slender body? Speak, dear one! 
 What has affrighted you? " 
 
 " War! " gasped the maiden. " Oh, my Pythias, 
 you will not go you will not ! Promise me you 
 will not go! " 
 
 "Not go, light of my heart! You have heard 
 the command from the overlord. I am but a sol- 
 dier. I obey." 
 
 " But he he " she faltered. 
 
 "He? What? Calanthe. Speak not in 
 snatches, I pray you, dear. My time is short. I 
 must accompany the messenger and receive my or- 
 ders." 
 
 " No, no, a thousand times no 1 You shall not 
 go, my Pythias. Would you leave me here to eat 
 my heart out, alone and unprotected? " 
 
 " Nay," corrected her lover, smiling with deep 
 and trusting affection into the eyes of Damon. " Not 
 unprotected. For while Damon lives are you safe 
 and furnished with a protector, far more capable 
 than I. It will be but another link in the golden 
 chain that binds us." 
 
 " But if you if there should happen so terrible 
 a thing that I might see you nevermore? If you 
 should not return ! " 
 
 Torn with hysterical weeping and the panic of 
 
OUT OF THE WAY 65 
 
 parting, Calanthe sank to the floor at her lover's feet. 
 Pythias bent and drew her into his arms. 
 
 u Sweet one, you are the core of life to me. There 
 is no thought of one save you and never shall be. 
 This is not fitting a soldier's mate. When the call 
 to battle comes, he must attend. He must close the 
 tender by-ways of his heart and live only in his mind. 
 Come, smile for me, my Calanthe." 
 
 "If you should not return! " sobbed the maid, 
 still clinging to him in terror. 
 
 Damon walked to a low stone table on which grew 
 a pot of myrtle. Snapping a slender sprig of it, he 
 turned and approached Pythias. 
 
 With right arm extended, elbow straightened and 
 fingers closed he laid the bit of green in Pythias' 
 palm. 
 
 " See, Calanthe," he lifted the drooping head of 
 the grief-stricken girl and pointed to the symbol. 
 " He will return. And his eyes shall search the 
 horizon for the sight of your lovely face and the 
 wonder of your greeting. He will return." 
 
 Pythias released her and grasped, with both of 
 his, the hand of his loved friend. 
 
 " You will be her protection when I am not here 
 to see ? It were absurd to ask it so completely 
 will you watch over her, e'en without my bidding. 
 I have but two words more to say: f Caution! ' and 
 'farewell!'" 
 
 He gathered the sobshaken figure of Calanthe in 
 
66 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 his arms, kissed her pale forehead, her tear-washed 
 lids and tender mouth, then strode from the room, 
 followed by the messenger. 
 
 Out on the moonlit balcony, a silken yellow tunic 
 gleamed a spot of gold in the clear whiteness of 
 the night. And when the dark spots that were 
 horses and their riders were swallowed by the black 
 shadows of Syracuse a prostrate, weeping girl hid 
 her eyes in her hands, to shut out the radiance of the 
 moon. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 THE VISIONS 
 
 THE mountain slope, overlooking the sun- 
 kissed Mediterranean, was bathed in the 
 full glow of midday. The breeze, toss- 
 ing the treetops, turned the silver undersides of the 
 dull-green foliage to the skies. Birds, strange yel- 
 low and black striped, preened on the upper branches. 
 As the wind veered about from time to time, zeph- 
 yrs, laden with the odors of orange and olive blos- 
 soms, were borne to the sea. 
 
 Far off the blue expanse was flecked with white, 
 and here and there moved a vessel that gave the 
 appearance of a huge centipede pushing itself 
 through the water the war triremes, propelled by 
 three banks of oarsmen. 
 
 Far up the mountain side, lying under the hugest, 
 shadiest tree, was Calanthe, attended by her maids. 
 On the ground was spread a cloth of blue worked in 
 silver, and laid thereon were silver dishes, filled with 
 fruits and sweets. 
 
 But Calanthe heeded them not. Her gaze was 
 fastened on the line where distant waters met a still 
 more distant sky. A trireme worked, swiftly, into 
 
 67 
 
68 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 her line of vision. She shuddered and again hid her 
 head in her arms. 
 
 " What is it that has brought fresh sorrow to your 
 eyes, dear one?" Eunice bent above her mistress 
 and placed a protecting arm about the white shoul- 
 ders. 4 You must not allow this utter submission to 
 grief. It has fed upon your cheek till, even now, 
 you look a shadow of the maid who bade her lover 
 farewell. What is this fresh sorrow? " 
 
 ' The trireme ! " Calanthe jumped to her feet 
 and clenched her trembling hands. " I hate the 
 thing that brings the thought of war! That vessel, 
 propelled by near two hundred men, bent on destruc- 
 tion of life, floats upon the calm bosom of my fair 
 Mediterranean and blots the picture. Ah, that I 
 should have the cruel fate of loving one whose duty 
 it is to fly into, peril at his country's command! " 
 
 " It is wondrous to be the bride of a soldier-gen- 
 eral ! " urged Eunice. " What maid but would covet 
 the honor? And with one as beautiful and strong 
 as your Pythias! Calanthe, you do not thank the 
 gods sufficiently for the marvels they have be- 
 stowed." 
 
 'The gods!" the bitterness in the exclamation 
 shocked the ^istening maids to silence. " I am a 
 human and my heart cries out for its loved one. I 
 am miserable miserable and afraid ! It is of no 
 use to beseech the gods to send me my happiness. 
 It was they who snatched it from me ! " 
 
THE VISIONS 69 
 
 " Calanthe ! " breathed Eunice, awestruck by the 
 seeming sacrilege. " You must not speak so, or as 
 punishment it may happen that Pythias will not re- 
 turn." 
 
 At thought of this terrible possibility Calanthe 
 was again plunged into the deepest grief. Face 
 down on the green sward, she wept her heart out, 
 while her maids one and all tried to devise some 
 means of solace. 
 
 " Come romp through the groves with me," be- 
 seeched Eunice, lifting the bronze-gold head to her 
 shoulder. " We will give chase to humming birds 
 and gather the blooms from which they've sipped. 
 And you have tasted not one of the almond sweets 
 that Artullo prepared for you, with such loving care, 
 this morn." 
 
 " Ah, Eunice, my faithful companion, I care not 
 for sweets. When the heart is hungry, there is no 
 hunger elsewhere. I am a sorry comrade since 
 Pythias went away; if I were but strongly willed, I 
 would control my sadness and refrain from darken- 
 ing your existence. Love plays strange pranks. 
 Come, dear, I'll try to do better. Moaning will not 
 make him return earlier than he is able to. We'll 
 stroll through the woodlands and see which of 
 us is most apt at duplicating the call of the strange 
 birds, which have lately flown hither from the 
 South." 
 
 " You will be, of course," declared one of the 
 
70 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 maidens, enthusiastically, " you are always most apt, 
 no matter what we attempt." 
 
 " Follow me! " called Calanthe gayly, " an extra 
 portion of sweets to her who first lays hand on my 
 tunic folds. Follow ! " 
 
 Down the slope sped the fleet-footed girl. On 
 and on catching at tree trunks to aid her balance 
 in slippery places, and turning once or twice to wave 
 a tantalizing hand at her pursuers. At the foot of 
 the hill where the huge, flat rocks jutted out into 
 the sea, she waited, till they had gained her side. 
 
 With arms outspread, her face flushed from vio- 
 lent exercise, her background the sapphire blue of 
 the Mediterranean, she presented an entrancing pic- 
 ture. 
 
 "If Pythias could see you now!" exclaimed 
 Eunice, bounding toward her. ' You are so beau- 
 tiful that way, sweet. Not since the day your lover 
 left, have I seen the crimson in your cheek and the 
 sparkle in your eyes. Is she not beautiful? " 
 
 Eunice turned and consulted the little band of 
 stragglers. One by one they knelt in mock obeisance 
 and chanted: 
 
 " She is indeed a queen of beauty! " 
 
 " I will not be chaffed," pouted the reigning one. 
 "Look! Beyond the third huge tree whose leaves 
 are rimmed with scarlet ! What is that yawning hole 
 that wicked looking cavity of blackness? " 
 
THE VISIONS 71 
 
 The maids looked, with fear, from one to the 
 other. None volunteered the answer to Calanthe's 
 question. Struck by the sudden silence she searched 
 the face of her companions. 
 
 "Why do you not answer?" she demanded im- 
 periously. " What is there about that strange and 
 unalluring place that I may not know? Is it the 
 abode of a wicked one or " 
 
 Eunice was the first to speak. 
 
 " We must not speak of things profane, to you, 
 Calanthe. That is the cave of Galatea, the dwell- 
 ing place of Hecati, the witch, who professes to 
 know most things, aye, even more than the gods 
 themselves. She is shunnned by those who live an 
 upright life. Only the corrupt and cruel consult her 
 ill-smelling flames and magic waters, to find out how 
 best to thwart their foes." 
 
 " And knows she all things, as she professes to 
 do? " inquired Calanthe with warm interest. " Can 
 she speak of things that concern the planets and has 
 she sight to see a hundred leagues and tell what is 
 happening there? " 
 
 u All that and more they say she does," acknowl- 
 edge Eunice reluctantly. " But it is not for you to 
 show interest in a vile person of this sort. Come, 
 let us away from the neighborhood of her cave. I 
 shudder at its nearness." 
 
 " I shall enter it! " announced Calanthe. 
 
72 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 "What!" shrieked the chorus of maidens. 
 " Calanthe, daughter of Arria, enter the cave of 
 Hecati?" 
 
 " You must not," was Eunice's stern command. 
 '* We, your maids, are responsible for your safe- 
 keeping. I will not allow it." 
 
 " 4 Allow J ! 'Tis a strange word from maid to 
 mistress. I shall do as I have said. Let not the 
 question of permission enter into it. Am I not staid 
 enough to wed, when my lord returns from the wars? 
 If so, then am I capable of entering the cave of He- 
 cati and of coming out unharmed." 
 
 " What madness is this? " wailed Eunice in great 
 distress. " If she were human, yes. But she is 
 strange, misshapen and vile in tongue. You must 
 not!" 
 
 " She is an oracle, consulted by many older and 
 wiser than I am and for far less vital reasons. I, 
 too, would know of things to which the vision of my 
 young eyes is closed. I would know if " 
 
 " You must not! See, at your feet, dear one, I 
 plead, Calanthe! Have wisdom! Do not do this 
 thing!" 
 
 The violet eyes looked down into the troubled 
 black ones. The obstinate light that had glit- 
 tered but a moment before faded into softness and 
 was submerged in tears. Impulsively Calanthe 
 dropped to her knees and placed her arms in a close 
 embrace, about the shoulders of the suppliant girl. 
 
THE VISIONS 73 
 
 " List to me, Eunice," she began sadly. " A mo- 
 ment since when I leaped down the mountainside 
 and bade you follow, it was not from lightness of 
 heart or any desire to take up again the sports of 
 youth that I have so completely dropped. 'Twas 
 but because I knew I had made your life dreary 
 since my Pythias bade me farewell. The doubt of 
 his safety, the possibility that he may not escape the 
 enemy's sword, is driving me to madness ! I can 
 bear it no longer. You would not have me torn with 
 torture, would you? " 
 
 " I would lay down this poor life of mine to save 
 you but an instant's dread," said Eunice simply. " I 
 serve not because it is my station, but because the 
 dictates of my heart make me cling to you, sweet mis* 
 
 tress." 
 
 " I know it well. Then let me go, Eunice. And 
 you keep watch above the entrance, so if harm 
 threatens I may warn you. I go to consult sibyl's 
 fires and look into the depth of her charmed pools, 
 in hope of having visions of my loved one, my val- 
 iant Pythias." 
 
 " Tread softly that you rouse not her ire," cau- 
 tioned Eunice. " If her mood be queer she will drive 
 us all away." 
 
 With wary step the six young maids approached 
 the cave of Hecati. The mouth of the cavern was 
 such as must have sheltered a dragon that belched 
 flame and blazing cinders, in some prehistoric time. 
 
74 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 A step inside the outer edge and all was inky black- 
 ness. 
 
 Quivering with excitement and admiration of their 
 mistress' daring the five attendants crouched on the 
 ground above the overhanging rock. Calanthe, 
 alone, made the descent. 
 
 Grasping the rough edges of the jagged rocks 
 with her slender well-kept hands, she found footing 
 among the knotted roots that made a difficult ap- 
 proach. A final leap brought her to the entrance 
 itself and for a moment she stood there, the warm 
 rays of the sun shining on her right, the dank odors 
 of the depths rising on her left. 
 
 Waving a courageous farewell to Eunice, whose 
 pretty face bent over the rock edge, Calanthe stepped 
 further into the gloom. At first there was just black- 
 ness and no sight of living thing. She seemed to be 
 enveloped in a raw moisture that cut to her bone 
 marrow and paralyzed her courage. Something 
 thudded awkwardly against her sandals. In fright 
 she darted back to the entrance and found 'twas but a 
 cumbersome turtle trying to make room for her. 
 
 " I shall learn nothing," she told herself sternly, 
 " if my bravery is vanquished by so small a thing. 
 I wonder would it be best to summon her above. It 
 is strange there are no hints of lights, if there are 
 fires. It is strange that she herself would not come 
 forward to " 
 
 At the very moment a click of blunted wood, fall- 
 
THE VISIONS 75 
 
 ing on the slippery surfaces of stone, smote her ears. 
 Taking shape from the gloom, emerged a figure, 
 shrouded in rags and topped by a mass of matted 
 hair. 
 
 The head too large for the body and elongated 
 by a sharpened chin, wagged uncertainly from side 
 to side, as if hung on wires without anchorage. The 
 face, of olive complexion on one cheek and smooth 
 as that of Eunice's own, was florid blond and choked 
 with warts and moles on the other. 
 
 When she stood, her back bore resemblance to 
 a twig that had snapped in the bending. When she 
 walked, the looseness of her joints gave her the 
 weird effect of being saved from utter disintegra- 
 tion by the stout branch upon which she leaned her 
 weight. 
 
 " Hast come to me for aid?" The stentorian 
 tones, heavier in caliber than those of the most power- 
 ful orator, caused Calanthe to shrink against the 
 slimy walls of the inner cave. 
 
 " You are Hecati? " she breathed in sudden ter- 
 ror. 
 
 " I am Hecati, who bringeth light when darkness 
 reigns, who lifteth veils and shows the scenes be- 
 yond. I am Hecati who is sought by the states- 
 man that he may know the will of the fickle people ; 
 by the trembling maid that she may discover the 
 inner thoughts of him whom she adores; by the sol- 
 dier who sets forth to battle and seeks to know if 
 
76 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 again he shall cross the threshold of his own court- 
 yard." 
 
 4 Your uncanny wisdom is the marvel of Syra- 
 cuse," faltered Calanthe. " I have come to seek 
 knowledge. Will you give me aid ?" 
 
 Hecati turned, with much difficulty, and led the 
 way. Down a flight of rough hewn steps, slippery 
 with mold, she shuffled. At the bottom she held 
 aloft a torch. It flared on a cave room, empty, save 
 for a bench, a dying fire, and, in the center, a wide, 
 shallow basin supported on iron standards. 
 
 A cold slippery something dropped from above 
 and clung to Calanthe's shoulder buckle. She 
 screamed wildly and strove to find the steps again. 
 
 4 What fright at a harmless lizard ! " scorned 
 Hecati, removing the dreaded reptile. " My cave 
 is filled with strange creatures that I have made my 
 pets. Seat yourself on yonder bench and we will 
 consult the enchanted waters." 
 
 A dark, loosely-shaped mass lumbered from a cor- 
 ner, advanced a short distance and settled, queerly, 
 into a hunched ball. 
 
 " That! That thing! It moves! I must go 
 let me mount above ! I am stifled with fear ! " 
 
 " That is but an humble octopus that one day I 
 rescued from the buffeting waves and have since 
 sheltered in my abode. See how limply he casts his 
 tentacles about and fuses them in his lumped body. 
 Note how he lifts his weight to a height and then 
 
THE VISIONS 77 
 
 thumps forward, moving the same distance each 
 time. That is the way he walks. Do not fear him, 
 for, although he could fasten one of those eight arms 
 about your slender neck, and crush the breath from 
 your lungs, he will not do so, unless you display 
 fear." 
 
 Calanthe sat, huddled in loathing and constant ter- 
 ror of a slimy attack from one or the other of these 
 strange creatures. 
 
 " If it please- you, we will consult the enchanted 
 water on the instant, that I may again mount to the 
 pure air and sunshine," she begged piteously. 
 
 :t Tell me not of your mission," commanded 
 Hecati. " I will tell it you, in all its detail. You 
 are Calanthe, betrothed of Pythias, who has been 
 sent to war by the tyrant Dionysius, who hopes that 
 he may meet a violent death." 
 
 " I knew it ! I was sure of it ! " cried Calanthe. 
 '* The heaviness of my heart and the bewilderment 
 in my brain, both spoke of death. Tell me it will 
 not be ! Tell me ! " Her voice rose to an hysteri- 
 cal screech and echoed wildly through the hollow 
 cave. 
 
 " Do not interrupt me ! " Hecati's inflection was 
 harsh and biting. " Dionysius himself is enamored 
 of you. By sending Pythias to almost certain death, 
 he strives to obtain you for his own ! " 
 
 " And I have come to ask you, O Hecati, to look 
 into the magic waters and consult the mystic flames, 
 
78 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 that you may convey to me news of my loved one's 
 absence. If he be safe? When his return? Look 
 into the waters, O sibyl, and tell me what is there ! " 
 
 Hecati seized Calanthe's wrist in a viselike grip. 
 Step by step, murmuring strange incantations, she 
 led her to the shallow basin in the center of the cave. 
 With her right hand she brandished aloft a blazing 
 torch and slowly lowered it to within a finger's length 
 of the water's surface. 
 
 Suddenly there was born, in the depths of the pool, 
 a sullen, red glow that spread until it had laid a vivid 
 background. 
 
 Hecati dropped the torch. Across the basin's 
 width, she seized the hands of Calanthe and held 
 them in a grip that would have tortured had the in- 
 terest been less keen. 
 
 Slowly traced upon the red appeared a vision of 
 battle. Chariots dashed on and off the scene. Gen- 
 erals standing erect, beside their charioteers, gave 
 imperious orders and watched them carried out. 
 Scaling-ladders of wondrous length and stoutness of 
 construction were laid against high walls, and sol- 
 diers, brandishing shields and swords and echoing 
 hoarse war cries, mounted them, only to be cast to 
 earth by a well-aimed sword-thrust or huge rocks 
 thrown with deadly skill. 
 
 In dread fascination Calanthe's eyes devoured the 
 scene. In vain she sought for the stalwart form 
 of her own true knight. As chariot after chariot 
 
THE VISIONS 79 
 
 moved across the scene she eagerly scanned the faces 
 always to be disappointed. 
 
 Slowly the vision started to fade. 
 
 " That is but a part of what I am able to disclose 
 to you," the half-intelligible words came from the 
 sybil's lips as she again lifted the torch. " That 
 was the battlefield of Agrigentum and its walled fort- 
 ress, held by the Carthaginians. We will call back 
 the vision and search for Pythias. The third vision 
 will determine his ultimate fate." 
 
 The torch crackled above the basin. Breathless, 
 Calanthe leaned far over the dark waters and watched 
 for the red glow. This time it spread more rap- 
 idly. Again the steep wall with its besiegers the 
 wild dashing to and fro of mounted soldiers the 
 casting of javelins and the closer fighting with sword 
 and shield, flashed into view. 
 
 In the distance, the funnels of smoke ascending 
 from burning houses, the flight and capture of ter- 
 ror-stricken maids and the sight of bodies ground 
 under vicious chariot wheels, made the scene one of 
 utter horror and sickening reality. 
 
 With nails digging deep into her rosy palms, 
 Calanthe searched the war-crazed multitude for a 
 sight of her lover's mighty stature and blond curls. 
 A chariot driven with the daring of a hundred furies, 
 almost wholly obscured by the clouds of dust it had 
 raised, was forging into the foreground. One 
 swift glance into those fearless eyes told Calanthe 
 
8o DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 she had found her Pythias. She stretched out her 
 arms ! it was then the picture faded to darkness. 
 
 " It was he ! I have looked upon his face ! He 
 still lives! O Hecati, delay not an instant before 
 you call forth the third vision. I scarce can still the 
 awful thumping of my heart. It leaps and bounds 
 as if it would escape the confines of my breast ! Call 
 the third vision, O marvelous sybil! " 
 
 Hecati took an unlighted torch from a corner of 
 the cave and approached the mystic flames. At first 
 contact it burst into a blaze and sent forth explosive 
 sounds. Chanting a strange ode, the old witch 
 passed the burning brand, in three unbroken circles, 
 around the head of Calanthe, then suspended it 
 above the waters. The red was more brilliant now. 
 For a long time the sheet of color was unbroken by 
 tracing of any sort. Then, slowly, a scene was born. 
 
 The first impression was that of utter destruction. 
 Bodies filled the grooves cut by chariot wheels; 
 bodies lay one slung upon the other, lifeless limbs 
 hopelessly mingled. Horses stark, in the death 
 sleep, stretched taut hoofs across the forms of their 
 beloved masters. Chariots, splintered to atoms, 
 cluttered the roads; and the gates of the impregnable 
 fortress lay battered from their hinges. 
 
 Suddenly a spot of light started to glow at the fort- 
 ress entrance. Its brilliance sent blinding rays to 
 light the ghastliness of the scene. A dark spot be- 
 gan to assume shape in the center of the light. A 
 
THE VISIONS 8 1 
 
 chariot drawn by four coal-black steeds galloped 
 into view. 
 
 Its sole occupant, masterful, erect, with gold curls 
 reflecting the radiance in the form of a halo, flung 
 aloft a triumphant hand and led the procession of 
 victory. 
 
 " Pythias! My Pythias! Tis he! Safe 
 safe from death free to return to me ! Say 'tis 
 true, that which the vision discloses. It would not 
 play me false ! O Hecati, your oath that it would 
 not play me false ! " 
 
 There was no answer. 
 
 The sybil, still bent above the silent waters, was 
 intent on the final scene. To the joyous maid's de- 
 lighted eyes appeared the streets of Syracuse, athrong 
 with people, madly rioting to obtain a view of what 
 was happening. Down the winding road came the 
 same chariot, driven by the same man and, amid the 
 wild enthusiasm, he alone was calm as the heavens 
 echoed with the cries of: 
 
 " Pythias! Triomphe!" 
 
 Hysterical with joy, Calanthe sought the slippery 
 steps and mounted to the cavern's mouth. 
 
 44 Eunice! Eunice!" her joyous call echoed 
 through the cave and up the mountainside. " Eunice, 
 I have seen " 
 
 A dark figure blocked her path ! Standing against 
 the sunlight, his helmet a dazzling expanse of metal, 
 stood Dionysius, a taunting smile disfiguring his lips. 
 
82 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Calanthe's former fear of the tyrant was de- 
 stroyed. The victory in her heart gave her an 
 exultant feeling of power. What had she to fear? 
 Her lover, alive, victorious, coming soon to her arms ! 
 What terrors could fate now conceal? 
 
 " Never has the earth vomited forth so exquisite 
 a bit as now! " he greeted her with exaggerated 
 homage. " But why should Calanthe, favored of 
 the gods, seek knowledge from the bowels of the 
 underground? What was't troubling her sweet im- 
 agination? " 
 
 Calanthe assumed a defiant attitude. 
 
 " Where are my maids? " she demanded. " And 
 how came you here? " 
 
 " They were perched on yonder overhanging rock, 
 but, at my approach, they scattered as does the 
 frightened goose-flock at my chariot wheels. They 
 are wandering above. I see the glimmer of their 
 robes. And as for me I was but riding through 
 the woodland and came upon this fair scene. " 
 
 " Then stand aside and permit me to go to where 
 they await me ! " 
 
 " Why so sudden your departure? 'Tis a pleas- 
 ant place for converse. None could be better, with 
 undisturbed view of sea and distant warships. 
 When tempted to flight, fair Calanthe, call to mind 
 that I am overlord; and Pythias my underling! You 
 wish him well? Why interrupt his chances of a 
 certain, future supremacy?" 
 
THE VISIONS 83 
 
 All the pent-up anger, whipped to a frantic mad- 
 ness by the sudden relief from agony and suspense, 
 burst forth in ringing recrimination. 
 
 " Speak not his name, O cruel and double-deal- 
 ing tyrant ! Do I not know that you sent him to al- 
 most certain death at Agrigentum? I have not 
 mentioned word of your ill-chosen visit to my gar- 
 den. If I had but breathed a word of your vile at- 
 tentions to either Pythias or Damon " 
 
 " Damon! " the name hissed from the lips of the 
 warlord as though it were a drop of water touching a 
 red hot surface. " What know you of him? " 
 
 "What know I of him?" Calanthe raised her 
 brows in scorn. " He is the trusted friend and 
 comrade of Pythias, and my protector in his ab- 
 
 sence." 
 
 The general threw back his head and gave utter- 
 ance to weirdly mirthful sounds. 
 
 "Your protector? How is't that the negligent 
 Damon is not here, at this moment, to protect you 
 from my unwelcome attentions? " 
 
 " For the reason that when I wander in the wood- 
 lands with my maids, he does not dream that there 
 exists a man sufficient coward, and vile-spirited, to 
 molest me ! " 
 
 " Ha ! The quick retort and the vengeance of a 
 little vixen! Your training has been in a good 
 school since Pythias set forth to Agrigentum. 
 'Twill be but poor solace if it is his death-chilled 
 
84 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 body they bear back on litter or martial shield. To 
 whom will you turn then, little spitfire? " 
 
 " 'Twill not be necessary to turn to you, e'en 
 though your aid would be forthcoming. I fear me 
 not. Aye, but the gods have other goods in store. 
 For the second time, O Dionysius, your plans will 
 not bear fruit. For in a vision of enchanted waters, 
 a source of information that never lies, have I viewed 
 any Pythias, gloriously triumphant, hailed as king 
 among men, drive through the streets of Syracuse, 
 to the cheering of a populace gone mad ! " 
 
 Waiting but an instant to see the effect of her 
 words eat into his soul, Calanthe leaped from the 
 cavern's mouth and darted up the hill, calling blithely 
 to her maids. 
 
 While, left behind, the lean figure turned into the 
 black, ill-smelling moistures of HecatTs cave and 
 stumbled below to verify the vision of the enchanted 
 waters. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 THE VICTOR'S RETURN 
 
 A FORTNIGHT later, fair Syracuse had 
 donned her holiday attire. The too-eager 
 warmth of the sun's rays were tempered to 
 balmy mildness by the sudden, east winds. The 
 cloudless, vivid blue of the sky seemed but a reflec- 
 tion of the sea, and it, in turn, sent back the image 
 of the sky. 
 
 Along the Sterian Way, the mansions of the rich 
 blazed with gold-worked banners, unfurled from 
 window ledges, and in the heart of the city's streets, 
 the wine shops, jewelers' dwellings and tailors' es- 
 tablishments, ran riot with draperies of brilliant 
 color. 
 
 Senators, in purple-or-red-banded togas, were 
 stopped on their way to the Senate House, to be 
 greeted ardently by those who, on ordinary occa- 
 sions, would not dare to bend a head in friendly salu- 
 tation. 
 
 Children, on street corners, tossed golden oranges 
 to each other, in excited play, and were not repri- 
 manded by their elders. The tension of suppressed 
 anticipation surcharged the atmosphere. 
 
 85 
 
86 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Up on the hill that led from the Academy Square, 
 in a grove of silver birch, beside a shell pink marble 
 fountain, knelt Calanthe. Her rounded form was 
 draped in silken folds of palest azure confined at 
 the waist by a cestus of wrought silver. Silver san- 
 dals graced her tiny feet, and, at the moment, her 
 maids were trying a variety of garlands in her 
 bronze-gold locks. 
 
 4 The forget-me-nots are to my taste, fair one," 
 quoth Eunice, gazing with clasped hands, in rapt ad- 
 miration. '* They match so well the coloring of 
 your tunic and set at defiance the violet of your eyes." 
 
 " Forget-me-nots are pretty," acknowledged Ca- 
 lanthe, bending forward to get a better view in the 
 fountain depths, " but they are sickly sentimental. 
 Much as I've mourned my true knight's absence and 
 torn my soul with agony in fear of his safety, yet I 
 could not meet him, in full gaze of the public, with 
 forget-me-nots twined in my tresses." 
 
 " Then it must be the star-anemone," decreed 
 Eunice, " for other bloom would but destroy the 
 sweet coloring of your robe. Think you that from 
 all the populace his glance will single you out for first 
 welcome ? " 
 
 " 'Tis what I hope," breathed Calanthe raptur- 
 ously. " Ne'er has the city been dressed in shades 
 more brilliant; and the wild buzzing and bustling of 
 the people to and fro is fair entrancing. Oh, 'tis 
 good to be a maid who is welcoming to wedlock the 
 
THE VICTOR'S RETURN 87 
 
 victor of a hundred battles and the idol of his 
 city!" 
 
 " Hark! I hear the sound of distant trumpeting. 
 In what manner was Pythias to reach Syracuse? 
 Can it be that he has touched the shore ? " exclaimed 
 Eunice, running to the pergola whence she could get 
 unobstructed view of the sea. 
 
 " He comes in a Carthaginian trireme, n Calanthe 
 called after her. " A mighty capture, which, even 
 before it was ta'en, he designated as the vessel on 
 which he would make his homeward trip. At the 
 shore he will be met by his war chariot, drawn by 
 four dusky steeds of Arabia. From there he pro- 
 ceeds at the head of his conquering army through the 
 city's streets." 
 
 " He has touched shore ! I see the flash of armor 
 in lines of light and restive horses held in check by 
 pages, all in scarlet!" The high-pitched tones, 
 fraught with restrained excitement, floated back to 
 the lovely maid kneeling beside her fountain. She 
 smiled at her reflection and folded soft white hands 
 across her breast. 
 
 An excited Eunice pulled her to her feet and gave 
 the final pat to the star-anemone garland. A sheer, 
 white scarf, dropped carelessly upon the ground, she 
 draped over the pretty head and shoulders. 
 
 'Tis the command of your mother," she told 
 Calanthe. " She thinks it not seemly for maid, upon 
 her wedding eve, to walk in the city streets so un- 
 
88 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 abashed. And besides, conceited one, the shimmer 
 of it and the fact that it half conceals your charms, 
 lends an added fascination to your appearance. 
 Now let us away lest we lose our chosen location 
 from which the view will be the best." 
 
 On a street corner, before the largest sweet-and- 
 fruit shop in Syracuse, stood Damon. His arms 
 folded closely across his chest, his head sunk in silent 
 meditation, he was a powerful and impressive figure. 
 
 His gaze wandered to the scurrying crowds, the 
 high-spirited horses whose steps were curbed with 
 difficulty. From this, he raised his eyes to the Sen- 
 ate House, from whose portals, Philistius, accom- 
 panied by a group of his questionable satellites, was 
 at that moment issuing. 
 
 " Ah, Syracuse ! " he murmured sadly. " I am at 
 last forced to despair of thee! Sicily, land of my 
 birth my country still thou hast closed thine 
 ears to the call of righteousness and fallen into the 
 hands of those who would barter freedom for a great 
 man's feast ! " 
 
 A slave, drunk with the wine he had pilfered from 
 his master's cellars, reeled against the senator and 
 caromed into the roadway. From afar a blast of 
 trumpets cut the air. The sodden man raised aloft 
 an imaginary goblet and shouted to the skies : 
 
 " Pythias ! Pythias ! Triomphe! " 
 
 Damon looked down with gentle commiseration 
 
THE VICTOR'S RETURN 89 
 
 and bent to lift the prostrate one, who was trying so 
 ineffectually to get to his feet. 
 
 " It is for the best that you find the portals of 
 your master's house as quickly as you can," he sug- 
 gested, trying to shake him back to a half-normal 
 condition. u Soon the crowds will fill the streets 
 and byways and there is small chance for one like 
 you, when once they start jostling." 
 
 "Pythias! Pythias! Victor!" reiterated the 
 man, sullenly, and lurched from his rescuer's grasp 
 to stumble up the street, toward the Temple. 
 
 Now, from all sides, the populace poured in. 
 Esquires, warriors, senators and merchants; gay 
 women of the city; and mothers bearing their chil- 
 dren aloft above the heads of the surrounding crowds. 
 They surged through the thoroughfares, as an im- 
 petuous stream that is dammed will gush through 
 the first available opening. 
 
 Damon, silent and erect, his mind busy with the 
 disquieting rumors that were afoot, remained where 
 he had taken his stand. Jostled from side to side 
 by the oncoming multitude, his face lost not its^ calm, 
 nor his eyes their look of deep and vital thought. 
 
 The houses bordering the street were points of 
 vantage for which many fought. Windows, doors, 
 projecting roofs and porticoes, all, were blocked with 
 groups of eager sightseers. From the temples is- 
 sued dancing maidens bearing long garlands wound 
 round and round their graceful bodies. The Senate 
 
90 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 poured forth its crowd of white togaed statesmen, 
 and, shrilly, from the crest of the hill, sounded the 
 blast that announced the van of the triumphal pro- 
 cession. 
 
 Silhouetted against the blue-gold horizon, six trum- 
 peters on snow-white steeds led the way. Ten paces 
 behind, a double row of youthful pages in tunics of 
 white and gold, yellow jewels on their breasts, 
 strewed blossoms from urns carried in their left 
 arms. 
 
 Followed then, the line of dancing maidens, with 
 multi-colored draperies fluttering in the breeze; gay 
 laughter issuing from their lips, as they trod upon 
 the flowerstrewn path. 
 
 For a second's time there was naught to follow. 
 Then above the hill crest rose the snorting heads and 
 arched necks of four coal-black steeds, heavy in 
 beaten silver harness and trappings of sapphire blue. 
 Bit by bit they mounted to the horizon line and stood, 
 stamping their slender limbs, in impatience to pro- 
 ceed. 
 
 They drew a chariot of ivory and silver, that now 
 was half-hid by floral garlands. The helmet of the 
 man, sole occupant of the triumphal car, caught the 
 fire of the sun's rays and dazzled the eyes of the as- 
 sembled multitudes. Amid deafening cheers and 
 hoarse roars he raised a commanding hand and ex- 
 tended it toward his beWed city. 
 
 The crowds, gone mad with patriotism and hero- 
 
THE VICTOR'S RETURN 91 
 
 worship, waved banners and helmets in mid air. 
 The streets of Syracuse were rent with wild cries; 
 and suddenly the horses, in obedience to a tug at the 
 reins, began the descent. 
 
 Buried in the crowd, on the steps of a monument, 
 stood Calanthe, her gauze veil folded around her 
 head and shoulders, her tense hands crossed and 
 gripping her own arms in an ecstasy of excitement. 
 Her eyes, one moment darting smiles, the next 
 bathed in tears of joy, never left the stalwart form 
 of the returning conqueror. 
 
 It seemed as if she thought by the intensity of her 
 gaze to draw his glance to her slim form. Until his 
 chariot had passed her and proceeded further into 
 the city's heart she had hoped for his radiant smile. 
 It had fallen about her, as he greeted his welcomers; 
 but not on her alone. Eunice, perceiving her disap- 
 pointment, slipped her arm comfortingly about Ca- 
 lanthe's waist. 
 
 " In the great numbers he could not find your fairy 
 form," she whispered. " Did you see how his eyes 
 were searching? Whene'er he saw a group of maids 
 I perceived his scrutiny of them and when he found 
 you not, some of the laughter faded from his eyes." 
 
 " 'Tis sweet of you so to concoct tales that should 
 bring solace to my heart," murmured Calanthe, turn- 
 ing to leave the monument steps, " but I saw those 
 things of which you speak, not at all. I saw, indeed, 
 the laughter in his eyes and when they fell on strange 
 
92 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 groups of maidens, I saw that same laughter rekin- 
 dle, instead of fade. Why should it not be so? 
 Why should a man whose path is a fiery blaze of 
 adulation, seek for one poor jasmine flower, whose 
 fragrance can not surmount the fumes of incense? " 
 
 " Pythias worships you, the breath you draw, the 
 ground o'er which you trod. 'Tis wrong and faith- 
 less of you to so denounce him, when in the midst of 
 thousands, he has not the keenness of vision to dis- 
 cover a single maid. When but a few days back 
 your eyes were dimmed and your cheek lily-pale, from 
 weeping at his possible fate, you said that all the 
 world through would you laugh, if he but came back 
 to you in all his health and strength." 
 
 Calanthe hid her face on Eunice's shoulder in 
 sudden contrition. 
 
 " I know I am ill-deserving of happiness, sweet," 
 she confessed softly. " But my heart was so cast 
 down, for I had planned and planned how it would 
 be; that my eyes should meet his, across the sea of 
 heads, and now " 
 
 " See below, in front of the Senate House he has 
 halted his chariot! There seems to be a block to 
 his further progress. Many people are running 
 thither, and there are loud cries and brandishing of 
 shields. Come, let us go, Calanthe ! " 
 
 In front of the Senate all was rioting and con- 
 fusion. Damon, assaulted by Procles and his com- 
 
THE VICTOR'S RETURN 93 
 
 rades, as the chariot of Pythias approached, was 
 beating back his assailants. The surrounding crowd, 
 not knowing the cause of the fray, stood open- 
 mouthed and motionless. 
 
 In a flash Pythias leaped from his chariot and 
 brandishing his sword plunged into the fighting, curs- 
 ing the group surrounding Damon. 
 
 " Back on your lives ! " he commanded in ringing 
 tones. " Treacherous cowards that you are, thus to 
 attack a man unarmed and undefended ! You know 
 this honest sword I brandish. You have seen it hew 
 down ranks in Carthage. Would you now taste its 
 cold steel in your quaking hearts ? For now Damon 
 has his armor on, courageous ones. / am his shield, 
 his sword, his helmet! And when I thus protect 
 him, it is but mine own heart's blood that I de- 
 fend!" 
 
 Procles and his associates fell back into the surg- 
 ing, curious crowds. Before the sword of Pythias 
 there was no argument. 
 
 " 'Tis a lucky stroke of Fate for him, that at this 
 instant your chariot descended the hill," muttered 
 the henchman of Dionysius. " Here, in Syracuse, 
 we have had enough of his long robe of peace wherein 
 he wraps his stern philosophy. See that you teach 
 him better manners, O conquering hero ! " 
 
 With harsh laughs of derision Procles motioned to 
 his satellites to proceed. 
 
 Thus left alone, Damon and Pythias looked deep 
 
94 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 into each other's eyes. And with the look, went the 
 clasp of hand so firm, so honest, so all-understanding 
 of the spirit of true friendship. 
 
 " What was't brought this display of ruffianism? " 
 asked Pythias, leading the way to his chariot, through 
 the crowds of admiring citizens. 
 
 ' When I was awaiting your approach, Lucullus 
 ran up behind me and in voice trembling with excite- 
 ment, broke the news that our citadel was taken. 
 That Dionysius, heading a troop of soldiers, had, by 
 rude force, seized the arms and treasure in it. I 
 could not believe such base rumor and was voicing 
 my disbelief, when lo! from the fortress wall was 
 unfurled the standard of the tyrant and from the 
 gateways poured his most notorious satellites, high- 
 heaped with arms and plunder! " 
 
 " Our citadel in that fierce soldier's power ! " 
 Pythias made a move as if again to draw his sword. 
 " Then, by the gods, is Syracuse gone mad ! " 
 
 Damon laid an affectionate hand on the broad 
 shoulders of his dearest friend. 
 
 " Do not shade the prospect of your joys with 
 griefs of state, my Pythias. I know that on the 
 morrow you will wed the sweetest maid in Syracuse. 
 Your wedding day must be but sunshine and roses. 
 Let these dark matters go." 
 
 " Nay, how can I let them go when they bring fur- 
 rows to your brow and sighs to your lips ? And be- 
 sides, what caused Procles to draw sword against 
 
THE VICTOR'S RETURN 95 
 
 you? Can I be happy when your life is thus endan- 
 gered?" 
 
 " In answer to my charge that his master Dio- 
 nysius was a parricide and tyrant, the audacious slave 
 branded me liar and traitor and gave commands to 
 his followers to hew me down! " 
 
 " Dionysius has become a danger to our city," said 
 Pythias slowly. " I have heard, on my way home 
 from Agrigentum, that the man has gone so far as 
 to wish a throne on which to rest his limbs." 
 
 " He has publicly expressed his wish," interposed 
 Damon indignantly, " and unless the Senate wake to 
 the grave menace of this man, his wish will be 
 granted." 
 
 ' You are jesting, Damon," laughed the young 
 general. u Syracuse ruled over by a king? It is 
 preposterous ! Why, I would as soon think of my- 
 self as candidate, as of him. His power in the city 
 is overestimated." 
 
 " If, contrary to the rules of our city, a soldier 
 were allowed inside the portals of our senate house, 
 I would take you thither, to view for yourself the 
 undercurrent that now runs deep in our affairs of 
 state. Here lately I have so often wished that my 
 lot had been the blest content of private life. This 
 hopeless service of the state galls me and I grow 
 old." 
 
 From behind the pillars of the Academy emerged 
 two forms. The one square squat, in armor; the 
 
96 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 other draped in purple-banded toga. Slowly, Dio- 
 nysius and Damocles descended the steps. 
 
 " Look you where stand the two strange friends," 
 observed Damocles, craftily. " The intimacy be- 
 tween Damon and Pythias is the marvel of Syracuse. 
 The stern, pedantic statesman and the young soldier 
 general. It is a strange combination for a friend- 
 ship such as theirs." 
 
 u Friendship," snapped Dionysius viciously. 
 " There is not a state of true friendship extant. 
 Every man has the price at which to value comrade- 
 ship. This pair is no different from the rest." 
 
 " This pair is the exception to the rule, Dio- 
 nysius," insisted Damocles. " I have heard it said 
 that" 
 
 u Heard ! Heard I " mimicked the other. " Do 
 not quote from the converse of dullards. You may 
 have heard, but you do not know. See the way the 
 crowds bow at the feet of Pythias and cast glances of 
 idolatry at his effeminate blond curls. We must do 
 something, Damocles, to lessen this fellow's favor in 
 the eyes of the rabble." 
 
 " Can not your brilliant mind discover some good 
 way?" 
 
 Dionysius shot a shrewd glance at his companion, 
 from under narrowing lids. 
 
 " It was you, Damocles, who conceived of sending 
 Pythias to Agrigentum, in my stead. And from 
 Agrigentum and almost certain death, he has re- 
 

H J 
 
THE VICTOR'S RETURN 97 
 
 turned triumphant, and rivals me in Syracuse! He 
 must be submerged ! I will not have my toil of years 
 go all for naught, because a young and foppish sol- 
 dier, with blond curls and a pleasing smile, has run 
 his sword through a small parcel of Carthaginians! " 
 
 ' Think well, Dionysius, and some plan will come 
 to you." 
 
 "Are you speaking with sarcastic shading?" 
 rasped out the overlord. " I do not like the manner 
 of your inflection. There is no courtesy in your 
 tone. Ah-h-h!" 
 
 He gripped the flabby forearm of the rotund 
 Damocles in a sudden, vicious clutch. A shaking 
 forefinger designated the opposite side of the road 
 where Calanthe and her maids sped to the side of 
 Pythias. 
 
 " There is another reason why this young warrior 
 of ours must be humbled to the dust ! I have sworn 
 that that maid shall find shelter in my ardent arms 
 and there, too, he blocks the way! " 
 
 " Can you not send him off to the wars again? 
 And if there be no war, can you not, with your 
 wondrous ingenuity, stir up a broil that might be 
 called a war? " 
 
 u Do not plagiarize on your own creations! " Dio- 
 nysius bade him with cold scorn. " Either cull a 
 novelty from your garden of thoughts or offer none 
 at all." 
 
 " He has magnificent steeds to draw his chariot," 
 
98 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 observed Damocles irrelevantly. " They appear to 
 me of finer mettle than your own." 
 
 For an instant, Dionysius looked sharply at his 
 friend, then slapped his palms together with a re- 
 sounding whack. 
 
 " I have the plan ! " he ground out between 
 clenched teeth. u By to-morrow our bundle of con- 
 ceit in yonder chariot will be prostrate in the dust, 
 with the heels of Syracuse upon his neck! Let us 
 hasten across and talk with our famed pair of friends. 
 Think you they will find it wise to be civil to me? " 
 
 " Do you advance your plan, to-day? " questioned 
 Damocles with much curiosity. " And can you not 
 give me a slight idea of what it will involve? " 
 
 " It is sufficient for you to know, for the moment, 
 that it was born of your witless ravings. Hurry your 
 fat legs across the space that still intervenes. I do 
 not choose that Pythias have too long love-sessions 
 with this pearl whom I desire." 
 
 " The feast we did attend yesternight has filled 
 me with complaints; and my legs refuse to hasten. 
 Likewise, my heart thumps most uncomfortably in 
 my breast and my head is filled with trumpet blasts, 
 where none exist." 
 
 Dionysius raised a protesting hand. 
 
 " Add to the list that it will be very painful duty 
 to pierce you, playfully, with my sharpest sword, so 
 that your end from acute suffering will be swift and 
 not an unskilled work! Forget your ailments and 
 
THE VICTOR'S RETURN 99 
 
 polish up what brain remains to you, for to-night you 
 are to do some cunning work for me. And then 
 then will dawn the morrow ! " 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 THE PLAN IS DIVULGED 
 
 6 * "IF SHALL not pout; for 'tis not well behaved. 
 Neither shall I weep; for 'tis unfitting a 
 
 JL. soldier's mate. Whether I shall stamp my 
 feet and exhibit my overseasoned temper, or grace- 
 fully submit to neglect and unresponsive treatment, I 
 have not yet decided. Yet I am sore offended." 
 
 Calanthe stood in her garden, whither Pythias had 
 barne her, accompanied by Damon. Arria, her 
 mother, had come from the house and approached 
 the little group. 
 
 " Has the suspense of waiting for your return 
 gone to our little Calanthe's head? " she interrupted, 
 with a hint of mischief in her soft brown eyes. " For 
 days and nights past she has been like a caged dove, 
 whimpering for its mate ; and now that he is come she 
 deports herself in heartless manner." 
 
 Pythias rose to give courteous salutation. 
 
 " Do not reprove the child," he besought with 
 mock gravity. " We must allow her much. For 
 Venus, when she rose from out the sea, to smile upon 
 our Grecian isles and fill them with everlasting 
 verdure, was not more beautiful than she." 
 
 100 
 
THE PLAN IS DI^lfiQED . , ! 101 
 
 " Ah, you think with soft wor,dp tp : .Ki'dfeiypbr : false 
 oblivion to me," persisted Calanthe, as a spoiled child 
 who will not be quieted. " From this hill that over- 
 looks the sea, Eunice kept watch and at first sight of 
 the Carthaginian trireme touching these shores, 
 shouted the news to me and I did haste, with all 
 speed, to a point of vantage on the steps of the statue 
 of Mercury, there to watch your glorious entrance 
 into the city and wait for your smile. But it came 
 
 not." 
 
 " Nay, do not chide me, my soft Calanthe. If 
 my eyes did not single you out, my heart was bursting 
 with thoughts of you and of our wedding on the 
 
 morrow." 
 
 " You made sacrifice of your first moment here, to 
 friendship, not love! 'Twas Damon you greeted 
 with the first word, the first hand clasp ! " 
 
 Pythias looked to where his friend was standing, 
 wrapped in moody thought. Hre called, to rouse him 
 from his meditation. Damon drew near, asking 
 pardon for his seeming preoccupation. 
 
 " There is some malignant worry feeding upon 
 your heart, my Damon," observed Pythias, with 
 much concern. "Will you not confide in me? 
 Come, I will make you smile. Do you knew what 
 this sweet maid has been pouring into my ears ? Re- 
 proaches for the depth of our friendship. She 
 deems it improper to sacrifice to friendship the mo- 
 ments that could be spent with the loved ones. Are 
 
102 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 you not arrogant at having caused the seeds of jeal- 
 ousy to spring in so fair a breast? " 
 
 Damon seized the tiny hand that hung limply at 
 Calanthe's side. 
 
 " Do not underrate the glory of friendship, sweet 
 girl. What many de-em ' friendship ' is so weak in 
 strength at most times, that it should not be dignified 
 by the solemn term. Remember always that the 
 warmth of friendship, like that of love, is not 
 chilled by the winds that blow from the valley of 
 death." ' 
 
 Calanthe, abashed, sought shelter in her lover's 
 arm. 
 
 1 You must not disclose all the whims which I con- 
 fide to you," she whispered. " I would not have 
 Damon disturbed by my silly plaints.*' 
 
 " Of what was Dionysius speaking when he held 
 you in such earnest consultation?" questioned Da- 
 mon, seating himself beside his friend. " Was't of 
 his ambitions and designs upon our city? " 
 
 1 You are ov-er-morose, and see but blackness in 
 all his deeds, I fear. His talk to-day was of joyous 
 things the games to be held on the morrow in 
 honor of my return. It has been ordered that all 
 toil shall cease, throughout the entire morn; that the 
 populace throng the Circus at an early hour; and 
 there will be discus throwing, wrestling, foot races 
 and chariot contests. Then, in the afternoon, when 
 all Syracuse is feasting and pledging our happiness 
 
THE PLAN IS DIVULGED 103 
 
 in the spiced bowl, my sweet Calanthe and I will 
 celebrate our marriage feast." 
 
 " Are you to take part in the games and shall I be 
 there to gaze upon you from a box all draped in 
 standards?" Calanthe clapped her hands and 
 danced up and down in gay anticipation. 
 
 " It was for the express purpose of asking me to 
 compete in the chariot races that Dionysius accosted 
 me." 
 
 "And you consented?" questioned Damon, 
 hastily. 
 
 14 I did. I would pit my black steeds against the 
 best in Syracuse, nay in all Sicily. Besides, the fever 
 of the race fires my blood and gives me keen enjoy- 
 
 ment." 
 
 " Against whom are you to contest? Did Dio- 
 nysius name the others in the race? " 
 
 " What do the others matter? In a time of de- 
 feat the names of those vanquished sink into oblivion. 
 'Tis only the victor's identity that bursts from the 
 lips of the audience. And you well know the name 
 of Pythias, my Damon! " 
 
 " List to the boastful one ! " mocked Calanthe. 
 " If it were not for the fact that I would lose the 
 honor of placing the wreath upon your brow, I could 
 find it in my heart to wish for your defeat." 
 
 " I am not boasting for myself," declared Pythias 
 simply. " I know the mettle of my horses, that is 
 all. They have drawn my chariot in times of stress. 
 
io 4 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 They have never faltered, never failed me. A slave 
 could hold the reins as well but he will not." 
 
 " I must go to my home to rest in preparation for 
 the sports to-morrow," Damon laid a gentle hand 
 on Pythias' shoulder. " These affairs of state o'er- 
 fret me and I fear I lose my capacity to enjoy the 
 lighter things of life. Calanthe, you must look to it 
 that your young lord does not attempt the statesman's 
 sorry part. 'Twill pale his face and make him find 
 in lovely nature but one blend of dismal colorless 
 sterility." 
 
 " I would not even if I could; I could not even 
 if I would; so there's an end on't," smiled Pythias, 
 tightening his clasp on his sweet burden. " But you 
 speak of resting for the games to-morrow as if that 
 were the day's important event. You say nothing of 
 my wedding feast." 
 
 " And I intended, even unbidden, to be there. 
 The wedding of a man and maid is always a joyous 
 sight; but, when looked upon from friendship's eye, 
 its bliss is tenfold. So, until the morn, farewell." 
 
 Meantime, in the dwelling of Dionysius, sat 
 Damocles quaffing hot wines; in vain attempt to still 
 the plaints of his mutinous stomach. A sorry figure 
 of a senator with head-band at a distressed angle on 
 his fast-thinning locks; and toes turned in, with no 
 regard for grace of attitude. 
 
 "Wilt cease this sickish bellowing?" growled 
 
THE PLAN IS DIVULGED 105 
 
 Dionysius, pacing the floor in rage. " I seek to dis- 
 close a deep-laid plan which exacts wariness and cun- 
 ning from him who is to carry it out, and you sit be- 
 fore me with the expression of a calf gone ill! " 
 
 " I am afflicted with an inward torture that is diffi- 
 cult to bear," groaned Damocles, " but I will listen 
 with alertness and strive to execute your plans with 
 daring." 
 
 "With daring!" Dionysius burst into satirical 
 laughter. " From present appearance you have as 
 much daring about you, as a rabbit that is pursued 
 by a hungry fox! Speak not of daring with a coun- 
 tenance gone green, for I would fain give my strength 
 to earnest thought instead of violent mirth." 
 
 " Proceed," moaned Damocles, too miserable to be 
 offended. 
 
 " I have explained the main points of the plot. 
 What now falls to you is the work of completing it 
 with prudence and sly skill. If there should be a 
 shade of suspicion, the great project as well as the 
 lesser one of to-morrow will be frustrated and your 
 reputation gone." 
 
 " You lay stress on my reputation! " blurted out 
 Damocles, with the mournful petulance of one who is 
 dispirited and overruled. " What shreds would be 
 left of yours, I ask, if the plot failed? " 
 
 " We are not dealing in ' ifs ' and ' buts,' " hurled 
 Dionysius, sending a stool, with a resounding crash, 
 to the polished floor. " Get from under my feet be- 
 
io6 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 fore my temper breaks all bounds and vents itself 
 upon your pain-ridden body! " 
 
 With lagging step and muttered phrases that he 
 took care should not assume the definite in syllables, 
 Damocles took his departure. 
 
 Down the steps of Dionysius' dwelling he dragged 
 his swollen, sandaled feet and, once upon the street, 
 heaved a sigh, whose resonance was echoed from the 
 nearest hills. 
 
 He looked about in search of a possible spy. Not 
 because he felt there would be one in hiding; but 
 rather for the reason that sudden realization of his 
 importance in a great intrigue, assailed him and 
 he was getting into the character. 
 
 The horizon was comparatively clear. The mul- 
 titudes had departed to their homes to feast, in pri- 
 vate, after the splendid spectacle of the day. All 
 was silence. 
 
 With pudgy hand grasping a queer-looking bag, 
 Damocles walked through the Via Academica as far 
 as the public square. Then he turned sharply to his 
 right and sought the twisted by-ways and queer, over- 
 hanging buildings that sheltered the poorer mer- 
 chants of Syracuse. 
 
 As he progressed, a solitary figure in the deserted 
 streets, bursts of laughter and the click of bowl upon 
 bowl accosted his ears. The populace was making 
 merry; and he, faint in spirit and disconsolate in 
 body, was on his way to a malicious deed. 
 
THE PLAN IS DIVULGED 107 
 
 He arrived at a corner where the roofs of houses 
 jutting out, from opposite sides, made an archway. 
 Through this he passed. The steps he descended 
 a few paces on were worn smooth with shallow hol- 
 lows in their centers. His feet slipped into them 
 as had the feet of hundreds who descended in search 
 of wine. 
 
 As he entered the inner room a crowd of roughly 
 clothed folk started in astonishment at sight of his 
 senatorial toga. 
 
 The proprietor ran from his cask-room and bowed 
 before him, uttering squeals of satisfaction, half ex- 
 pressions of abject subservience. 
 
 Damocles cast his weary bulk upon the hard sur- 
 face of a cracked stone seat. He rested an elbow 
 on the stone table before him and motioned imperi- 
 ously to the squawking little figure that danced before 
 his eyes. 
 
 His order of the best in the house brought addi- 
 tional protestations of gratitude and humility. The 
 men at the adjoining table began to regard him with 
 suspicion. As soon as the proprietor had disap- 
 peared into the recesses of his cask room, Damocles 
 leaned toward his nearest neighbor and designated 
 with a lordly thumb that he wished converse with 
 him. 
 
 The man, afright at the sudden honor, hesitated 
 to obey; whereupon one of his companions rose to 
 comply with the summons. This roused the rest of 
 
io8 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 the group, which, fired by wine, were anxious to be 
 in the game, whatever it might be. 
 
 " I want but two," announced Damocles, impa- 
 tiently. 
 
 The dictum caused such discord among the ruf- 
 fians that for a moment it appeared as though there 
 would be damaged countenances before the two were 
 chosen. 
 
 The entrance of the proprietor, bearing his most 
 vivid bowl, was the signal for quiet. He placed the 
 most priceless treasure of his collection of pottery 
 before the noble patron and poured the ruby-hued 
 liquid from a queer flagon that he rested upon his hip. 
 
 Damocles ordered two bowls of the same stuff for 
 his invited guests. At the violent protest of the 
 owner, who was speechless at the thought of wasting 
 such value upon so poor a pair, the senator displayed 
 his displeasure. 
 
 " I order and you serve ! " he commanded, with 
 grim relish in the act of treading under heel, as he 
 had just been trodden by the overgeneral. 
 
 The two ruffians waited for him to divulge his 
 plans. That the plans were secret and felonious in 
 character they had no doubt. And they stood ready 
 to comply, did the reward but fit the deed. Dio- 
 nysius, with the unerring instinct of one steeped in 
 polite crime, had sent Damocles to the right place. 
 In the handbook of a despot there are informations 
 that would not bear the searching light of day. 
 
THE PLAN IS DIVULGED 109 
 
 Still Damocles remained silent, his pale loose lips 
 buried in the fragrant draught, his eyes shifting from 
 the admiring proprietor to the group of drinkers at 
 the other table. 
 
 The more intelligent of the two honored guests 
 waved an expressive hand at his ignoble associates. 
 Whether they interpreted his gesture aright could not 
 be guessed. Certain it is they did not follow its sug- 
 gestion. 
 
 Their interest was too keen to suit the visiting 
 senator. He did not know the degree of their acute- 
 ness and he was unwilling to speculate. Also, the 
 solicitous proprietor troubled him grievously. 
 
 It was enough to be sent on a dark mission where 
 the body protested. To be plagued by over-atten- 
 tion and by too vivid curiosity when one had arrived 
 was exasperating. 
 
 Damocles summoned closer the shrimplike owner. 
 
 ' You will get rid of those men," he commanded 
 quietly. 
 
 ' You would drive away my customers? " shrilled 
 the little man, forgetting, for the instant, the impor- 
 tance of his patron. Then in sudden terror, he scut- 
 tled to the adjoining table and, by a series of gesticu- 
 lations and expletives, cleared the room. 
 
 Damocles put down his bowl and scanned the fea- 
 tures of the man facing him. His glance, so pene- 
 trating and severe, had the desired effect. The two 
 villains began to snort and shift under it. And in 
 
no DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 their coward souls was born a fear of the mighty 
 one, who also dabbled in iniquity. 
 
 The proprietor, having barred the door to all cus- 
 tomers for as long as it pleased the influential guest 
 to remain, hopped back into his presence and stood 
 with arms akimbo, displaying great interest in the 
 scene about to be enacted. 
 
 Damocles pointed a puffy ringed forefinger toward 
 the cask room and glared. Incredulous and humili- 
 ated to find that he was not to be a party to the plot, 
 the owner shuffled from the room. 
 
 Then it was that Damocles raised to the table 
 edge the queer leather bag and as it hit the stone a 
 clink from its depths spoke of but one thing gold ! 
 
 For many minutes were the three heads in close 
 location ; and so softly spoken were the demands and 
 the assents that not a syllable cut the air to where the 
 proprietor crouched behind his hugest vat. 
 
 Damocles rose from his bench, raised aloft a bag 
 of gold and dropped it once again upon the stone so 
 that the metal sound might fire the avarice of the 
 two and spur them on to perform well what he had 
 commanded. 
 
 " And when 'tis done and completely so, then will 
 another purse as large as this find its way to you, 
 that you may spend its contents in this place," he 
 said aloud, thus placating the wounded soul of the 
 proprietor, whom he knew would overhear. 
 
 The men cast themselves before him in servile 
 
THE PLAN IS DIVULGED in 
 
 gratitude. Damocles clapped his hands in sum- 
 mons. The appeased landlord darted into sight; 
 and muttered his appreciation when his eye fell upon 
 the size of the gold coin dropped into his palm. 
 
 In his eagerness to unbar the door and give 
 egress to his noble guest, he slipped upon the damp 
 stones and in sudden precipitation met too violently 
 the unevenness of his cellar floor. But, with a 
 bound, he was on his feet, though sadly bruised, and 
 withdrew the heavy oaken barrier. 
 
 Damocles went out, without a backward glance. 
 He could now seek Dionysius and, with a certain 
 amount of haughtiness, tell of his skill in accomplish- 
 ing so soon the errand that he had set out upon. 
 When one has no need of qualifying phrases or half- 
 baked excuses there must always be arrogance, in 
 some amount. 
 
 So, Damocles, retreading the way to the dwelling 
 of the overlord found the day more bright, the poor 
 streets more unworthy of his august presence and the 
 malady of stomach greatly subdued. 
 
 In the square before the Senate House, he was 
 accosted by Damon, who was about to mount the 
 steps. 
 
 " Do you go into the Senate at such an hour? " 
 questioned Damocles in patronizing manner. " It 
 must be that it is indeed deserted at this time. Do 
 you seek some one? Or are you bent on delving 
 still more profoundly into philosophic tomes?" 
 
ii2 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 'Whence come you, Damocles?" retorted Da- 
 mon, making no pretense at answering the cynical 
 query. 'Tis a queer portion of the city from which 
 you turned into the square. Which seek you ? Dis- 
 cernment or diversion? " 
 
 " I went to aid a vassal who has fallen ill and who 
 craved my presence. I " 
 
 ' The publican turned priest ! " ejaculated Damon; 
 and, without further parley, mounted the steps and 
 disappeared behind the pillars of the Senate House. 
 
 Damocles, having received so rude a jolt to his 
 newly acquired arrogance, clenched his purple-veined 
 fist and shook it, vindictively, at the retreating form. 
 
 Without further interruption he reached the house 
 of Dionysius and entered its portals. Encountering 
 no slave in the outer courtyard, he penetrated to the 
 inner room. 
 
 There, stretched upon a couch, gorgeous in black 
 and gold coverings and softened with many cushions, 
 he came upon the general. With head thrown back 
 and limp arms dropping to the polished floor, Dio- 
 nysius presented a right ungraceful picture. Fur- 
 thermore from his open mouth there issued raucous 
 sounds, indicative of profound slumber. 
 
 A sudden rage took possession of Damocles to 
 find this man enjoying that which he himself so sadly 
 needed and could not get! He bent and rudely 
 shook the sleeper. Dionysius opened but one of his 
 tightly closed eyes. 
 
THE PLAN IS DIVULGED 113 
 
 "What is it?" he questioned, drowsily. 
 
 " It is I, Damocles," announced the other, with 
 triumph and emphasis. " I have come to tell you 
 that it is accomplished 1 That the preparations have 
 been perfected by my hand. That " 
 
 '* Tell it me when I awaken," ordered the mas- 
 ter. " Just now my eyes are weary and I have not 
 the will to hear you prate of your adroitness. Con- 
 serve it for a more auspicious moment. I wish 
 quiet." 
 
 And once again the regular breathing told of 
 peaceful slumber. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT 
 
 NIGHT had fallen. In the Circus stables, 
 the boys by the light of torches finished the 
 rubbing down of horses that were to com- 
 pete on the morrow. The restless stamping of the 
 mettled steeds echoed through the low stone build- 
 ings, and disturbed the sluggards who had fallen to 
 slumber, leaving the bulk of their work till early 
 dawn. 
 
 One by one the workers ceased. Aratus, the last 
 to cast his brushes into a corner, laid caressing hands 
 on the glossy blackness of the four who were to pull 
 the chariot of Pythias. 
 
 The beautiful animals, freed of their cumbersome 
 trappings, arched graceful necks and looked with 
 mild affectionate eyes at the boy who had been work- 
 ing so arduously on their shining coats. 
 
 He raised himself, on tiptoe, to whisper into the 
 ear of Mentum, his favorite. 
 
 " You must carry your master to victory, on the 
 morrow," he breathed, as if in conversation with a 
 human. " Much is at stake. So light a thing it re- 
 
 114 
 
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT 115 
 
 quires to upset the popularity of a favorite, that if 
 Aristle defeat Pythias, his fame will suffer. And 
 they who, to-day, shouted themselves to hoarseness, 
 in fervent welcome of the hero, to-morrow will for- 
 get his past glories and place upon his neck the heel 
 of disrepute." 
 
 The steed, with head tilted, to receive more easily 
 the words of warning, tossed his mane and nodded 
 violently. This disturbed the others in adjoining 
 stalls, and they renewed their restive stamping. 
 
 Aratus quieted them with gentle words of reas- 
 surance and patted each upon the nose. He hesi- 
 tated a moment longer beside Mentum, and wound 
 his arm closely about the smooth neck. 
 
 " You have understanding of the words I utter," 
 he said softly. " There are those who would deride 
 the thought. But I know that if it takes the last 
 atom of strength in your slender limbs, and that 
 after, you perish, you will draw your master's chariot 
 to victory." 
 
 Aratus pulled an armful of hay from the large 
 stores at the corridor-end and arranged it in a loose 
 mound outside the stall of his favorite. With a 
 last, careful look at his four charges, he cast his lean 
 young body on the improvised couch and folded his 
 arms above his head. 
 
 Fatigued in body from his hard labors, and his 
 mind at rest at having so thoroughly performed 
 them, yet were his eyes wide in wakefulness. Twice 
 
116 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 he rose and looked out of the narrow, oblong win- 
 dows, only to return to his twisting and tossing. 
 
 A horse in the adjoining section, watched over by 
 Lertes, whinnied. The plaintive sound in the dead 
 quiet that had fallen, struck his ears with a sense of 
 warning. Then again, all was still. 
 
 With thoughts of the festive day approaching, he 
 sank to slumber, his thin, young arms flung wide and 
 touching the stone floor; his knees drawn up, in un- 
 conscious protection against the cool, night air which 
 was blown through the narrow windows. 
 
 In the white moonlight without, the city of Syra- 
 cuse lay shrouded in slumber. The multitude, in 
 joyous anticipation of the sports on the morrow, had 
 early sought their couches. 
 
 From out the shadow of a pretentious dwelling 
 on the Via Greca, two figures crept with fear and 
 caution in their every move. The taller of the two 
 darted ahead and sought the shelter of the next deep 
 shadow. 
 
 His companion, having caught up with him, the 
 pair emerged into the full light and started to saun- 
 ter up the hill. 
 
 " Mind well your gait," warned the shorter man; 
 " 'tis not a night for errand like ours. In this bril- 
 liant moon can everything be seen." 
 
 " The city sleeps," remarked the other, looking 
 down upon the silent roofs and deserted moonlit 
 streets. 
 
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT 117 
 
 "Who knows?" 
 
 " After the day of feasting and reception to the 
 warrior and in thought of the early hour at which 
 they must rise again, the wise have long since sought 
 their slumbers." 
 
 "And the unwise?" quoth the other, quietly. 
 " They also have eyes to see and ears to hear. They 
 also have tongues with which to spread alarm. Sup- 
 pose the maid, Calanthe, wakeful from thoughts of 
 the morrow, stand at her window, looking upon the 
 beauty of the night? What if Pythias, himself, can- 
 not content his brain to sleep and strides upon his 
 balcony to breathe the freedom of the sky? " 
 
 1 Your unquiet thoughts are the imaginings of a 
 mind of guilt," remonstrated the companion. " Not 
 one of the happenings of which you've spoken will 
 transpire. So rest your soul and do your work. 
 When your heart fails, call again to your ears the 
 clink of the purse of gold as it fell on the stone table 
 and recall that, on the morrow, the dose will be re- 
 peated!" 
 
 As they mounted the final steepness of the Circus 
 hill, a low, peculiar sound smote their ears. 
 
 "What was't?" gasped the taller of the two. 
 '* Was it man or beast? Was it welcome or warn- 
 ing?" 
 
 They shrank into the first recess that presented 
 its shelter. Flattened against the wall, their arms 
 outspread and fingers clinging to the irregularity in 
 
n8 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 surface, they listened, with bated breath, for a dread 
 repetition. It came not. 
 
 Cautiously they peered without. The scene was 
 unchanged. The dazzling white light bathed more 
 completely the sleeping city. The shadows were 
 blacker and more sharply defined, in contrast. 
 
 'Your wits are easily shaken I" charged one. 
 " If but your^brain could be startled into action as 
 readily, then were the deed already completed." 
 
 " Speak not of wits shaken," countercharged the 
 other. 'Twas your fingers that clutched my arm 
 in terror and your feet that first sought concealment. 
 Methinks that even now your stomach quakes with 
 fear of an unknown spy, while I I " 
 
 He strode boldly into the full glare and raised his 
 arms aloft, in brave defiance. 
 
 14 Now that we have accomplished the ascent, let 
 us approach the stables, and, looking through the 
 window's, determine in what location these steeds are 
 housed," he called loftily to his fainthearted com- 
 panion. 
 
 " Have thought of the stable boys? " was the wary 
 retort. 
 
 " Stable boys! " guffawed the other. " They are 
 the last we have to fear. For first, they sleep with 
 the profoundness of death, exhausted from their 
 heavy labors; and second, if they should be aroused, 
 a few drachmas would soon quell their murmurs of 
 
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT 119 
 
 dissent. Come, be brave ! Follow in the footsteps 
 of your leader who knows no fear." 
 
 Inside the stable, the young Aratus stretched his 
 thin legs and turned to find greater comfort on his 
 couch of hay. The stiffness of his wrist and elbow 
 joints, result of his vigorous rubbing, drove him to 
 sit erect, to try to ease their aching. 
 
 From outside he caught the boastful whispering 
 of the braggart. At first, his mind, clogged with 
 unslept slumbers, strove in vain to grasp the reality 
 and then the import of the words. He crawled 
 along the floor till he crouched directly beneath the 
 nearest window. 
 
 He could hear a man urging another to display of 
 bravery. He did not recognize the voices, but knew 
 them to be none of those whose horses were sheltered 
 with the stable walls. Fearing to wait too long to 
 learn their identity, he straightened his lithe body 
 and with a sudden spring, stood on tiptoe and gazed 
 through the opening. 
 
 He saw in the blinding glare of white light two 
 men whose garb proclaimed them of the sort who, 
 without earnest occupation of any sort, frequent the 
 wine cellars and are for hire when the deed is dark. 
 
 The vague feeling of danger that had clamored at 
 his heart throughout the early night now redoubled. 
 The presence of these men presaged ill. If he were 
 detected by them before their plans were carried out, 
 
120 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 it would mean his destruction. He glanced with 
 horror at the short swords, unsheathed, that were 
 stuck through the leathern loops of their girdles. 
 
 They turned suddenly, and, in the direct shafts of 
 light, their features, unmasked, were plainly visible. 
 Aratus remembered where he had seen them. That 
 very afternoon toward dusk when the streets were 
 still thronged with the gay crowds who were loath 
 to seek their own roofs, he had watched them stum- 
 ble from the wine cellar of Cicatrum on the Via 
 Steres. Much the worse for wine, the one acting as 
 standard for the other, they had proceeded to an 
 humble dwelling on the outskirts of the town. 
 
 The boy dropped in affright to the floor and 
 scrambled back to his couch. There, he assumed a 
 posture of utter languor, his eyes tightly closed, his 
 chin dropped and mouth opened to emit the deep, 
 regular sounds of a person sunk in slumber. 
 
 A moment after, the whisperings approached the 
 window and an ugly head, with protruding eye and 
 bulbous nose, was thrust through. Aratus gulped in 
 sudden dread, but did not interrupt his forced, even 
 breathing. He was thankful that the head obscured 
 the beam that had, a moment before, slanted through 
 the window and cast its radiance upon his prostrate 
 body. 
 
 The head was withdrawn and quick consultation 
 taken. Every word, with here and there a final let- 
 ter blurred, drifted in to his alert ears. He dared 
 
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT 121 
 
 not open his eyes for fear that they were waiting to 
 trap him. 
 
 As he listened, his heart chilled with the horror 
 of the plan they proposed. His mind ordinarily not 
 quickly roused to thought, struggled to devise a so- 
 lution to the situation. The dastardly ones must be 
 thwarted. But how? 
 
 He concluded from their talk of purses and gold 
 and their humorous verbal caricatures, that they had 
 been hired by Damocles, at the instigation of Dio- 
 nysius. How could he, a stable boy, hope to suc- 
 cessfully frustrate the schemes of two of the mighti- 
 est in the city? 
 
 Nevertheless he would try. For his beloved mas- 
 ter's sake he would risk attack and even annihilation, 
 in an attempt to prevent this vile design. Their 
 every move, carefully planned, the two men turned 
 to seek the gates. 
 
 On the instant, Aratus kicked the sleeping Men- 
 turn with as much force as he could summon to his 
 fear-paralyzed limbs. 
 
 The blooded steed, which slept lightly, jumped 
 wildly to his feet and pawed furiously at the wall 
 that separated his stall from the next. The noise 
 awoke the other horses. They joined in a chorus of 
 neighs and snorts and their hoofs beat the stone until 
 the clamor was deafening. 
 
 Aratus, in pretense of having been but suddenly 
 awakened, called to his charges. From other sec- 
 
122 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 tions of the stable the boys came running, stumbling 
 over their weary feet, their hands waving in panic at 
 the unlocked for agitation. Aratus jumped to the 
 window and saw, far down the hill, two fleeing fig- 
 ures. As he watched, they reached the lower streets 
 and disappeared amid the closely placed buildings. 
 
 He seized Lertes roughly by the shoulders. 
 
 " Keep watch! " he commanded hoarsely, " while 
 I speed down into the city. There is a plot afoot 
 that means dishonor to us all, and, if the authorities 
 do but hear of it, I have no doubt but that our 
 severed heads will stain the chopping block a sullen 
 
 crimson ! " 
 
 Lertes, petrified with fear at his possible fate, 
 opened his lips to question; but, from the dry walls 
 of his frightened throat, no sound issued. Before 
 his moistened tongue could form a syllable, Aratus 
 had darted from the stables. 
 
 Down the hillside he sped. His tired legs, driven 
 to speed by a passionate fire of devotion, bore him 
 to the portal of Arria's house. His sister, Eunice, 
 favorite of Calanthe's handmaidens, would recog- 
 nize his call and give him entrance. 
 
 Hardly had the low sound left his lips, when a 
 startled figure, swathed in white, appeared on the 
 balcony over his head. 
 
 "Aratus!" called Eunice in sudden dismay. 
 "What brings you at this hour? Is it a message 
 of alarm you bear? Is it from Pythias? Speak, 
 
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT 123 
 
 Aratus ! My heart is suffocating me in its wild 
 leaping! " 
 
 " I can not speak at this distance, Eunice," gasped 
 the boy, clutching his parched throat. ' You must 
 open the gate to me and rouse your mistress. Come ! 
 For whate'er is done must be done quickly." 
 
 The slender form disappeared behind the heavy 
 draperies and a moment later the ponderous door 
 swung on its hinges and admitted the breathless 
 messenger to the inner courtyard. 
 
 "Where is your mistress?" demanded Aratus. 
 " It is most important that she be awakened. What 
 I have to say is of her intimate concern. Come, 
 Eunice, let us to her chamber and rouse her." 
 
 " No ! " Eunice stayed his steps with an impera- 
 tive hand. " I have but just succeeded in soothing 
 her to slumber. All the night she has been pacing 
 the floor, unwilling to seek her couch. To calm her 
 restless spirit I did anoint her fair body with per- 
 fumed oils and smooth her tresses with quieting 
 hands, until at last her lovely eyes closed in peaceful 
 sleep. I will not wake her. Deliver me your mes- 
 sage and speak softly lest the whole household wake 
 and be affrighted." 
 
 " This is not a time to consider slumber. The 
 honor of Pythias and his repute in Syracuse will be 
 as naught on the morrow unless he is warned, on 
 the instant, of the plot that is on foot to disgrace 
 him." 
 
124 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " Disgrace him? " breathed Eunice, grasping her 
 brother's arm in disbelief. 
 
 "List closely to my message," entreated Aratus; 
 " do not ask me whys and wherefores. In times like 
 this every moment is an added stumbling block to 
 my purpose of defeating these vile criminals. Dio- 
 nysius, who they say is enamored of your lovely mis- 
 tress, Calanthe, and jealous of the glories cast at 
 Pythias' feet this day, has got 'his henchman, Dam- 
 ocles, to hire men of low origin to perform a das- 
 tardly deed. 
 
 4 To-night, when I was sleeping in the stables, I 
 overheard the two plotting. They were upon the 
 point of removing the steeds of Pythias from their 
 stables. Their intention was to drive them many 
 leagues in the dead quiet of the night, so that on the 
 morrow, spent and strained, they will not be fit com- 
 petitors for the fresh, highspirited chargers of 
 Aristle. 
 
 " It has been accomplished before. And stable 
 boys upon awaking, have found their horses whipped 
 to a lather, panting in the stalls. Not knowing how 
 they came to be in such condition, and fearful lest 
 their masters flog them for neglect, these boys have 
 brushed and rubbed until the sleek look has returned 
 and none was the wiser. But the master was de- 
 feated in the contests! " 
 
 "Why did you not assault the villains?" ques- 
 tioned Eunice, with great contempt. " Would it not 
 
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT 125 
 
 have been a surer and a more manly act than to flee, 
 breathless, to warn a timid, defenseless woman and 
 break her slumbers? " 
 
 " I could not beat them single-handed. They 
 bristled with short swords and they had the sinews 
 of a Hercules. Nor could I rely upon the other 
 boys within the stables. For, so avaricious are they, 
 that their mouths begin to water at sight of ten 
 drachmas and they could drive their souls to murder 
 for a silver piece. I took the wisest course, roused 
 the stable, frightened the criminals away, and, with- 
 out divulging my secret to any, sped here." 
 
 " Then, is't not finished? Have not the monsters 
 been alarmed for all time? Have they not sought 
 their dwellings? " 
 
 " You do not know, O sister, what a purse of gold 
 will do. These same men, fortified with more wine, 
 will again mount the hill when all has quieted. And 
 this time, lest they be foiled in their intentions! will 
 they use violence and destroy all who stand in their 
 path. That is why I have come. Rouse your mis- 
 tress, Eunice, and allow her to say what is best to 
 do." 
 
 Eunice clasped her robe more closely about her 
 and sped into an apartment hung with folds of palest, 
 rose pink. In the center gleamed a square pool in 
 whose green-blue depths were reflected the pillars 
 and rails surrounding it. Beside the steps, stretched 
 on a couch of white, deep with silken cushions, lay 
 
126 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 the sleeping Calanthe, her dimpled arms crossed on 
 her rounded breasts, her sweet lips parted in a trem- 
 ulous smile. 
 
 The maid stood over her sleeping mistress, loath 
 to disturb her sweet dreams. But the pacing to and 
 fro of Aratus, whose steps resounded on the polished 
 floor of the inner court, and the fear that if dishonor 
 befell Pythias, Calanthe's heart would break, com- 
 pelled her to action. 
 
 She bent low, slipped a gentle arm under her mis- 
 tress's shoulders and raised her to a sitting position, 
 smoothing her brow with a quieting hand. 
 
 Calanthe thus awakened, started in bewilderment. 
 Then, as the familiar objects of her own apartment 
 were disclosed to her, she sought the face of her 
 maid, in silent question. 
 
 The expression she saw there alarmed her. She 
 darted an anxious glance about the room to see if 
 her mother and other members of the household had 
 been thus aroused. From without, the monotonous 
 tread of Aratus' sandaled feet came to her ears and 
 she jumped from her couch dragging her embroidered 
 coverlets with her and trailing them across the floor, 
 half-way to the portal. 
 
 Eunice seized her hands and knelt at her feet. 
 The startled violet eyes looked with the dread of 
 one, unknowing, into the eyes of one who knew. 
 
 " Pythias ! " she murmured at last in little chok- 
 ing gasps. " Harm has come to him ! I know it 
 
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT 127 
 
 I am certain. Speak! Who is he who paces so 
 unceasingly outside ? Have you lost tongue, Eunice ? 
 Or do you torture with suspense because the truth 
 is more horrible than the uncertainty? " 
 
 " Nothing has happened, sweet one. But unless 
 we act quickly the honor of your young lord may 
 be at stake. My brother Aratus, who is stable boy 
 at the Circus, as you know, has just fled hither to in- 
 form you that he overheard a plot to tire the steeds 
 of Pythias by driving them many miles, in the secret 
 night, so that, on the morrow, in contest with Aristle, 
 they must suffer defeat." 
 
 " Whose plot is this?" breathed Calanthe, her 
 eyes aflash with sudden indignation.. " Diony- 
 sius " 
 
 Eunice nodded assent 
 
 " 'Twas he who conceived of it and his gold went 
 for the purchase price. Men do these things and 
 lay the burden of their crimes at love's door, hoping 
 to receive absolution from Eros, at whose shrine they 
 worship. Come, let me clothe you in your softest 
 robes and you and I, attended by my brother, will 
 speed to Pythias and warn him of his danger." 
 
 With swift hands Eunice fastened the silver shoul- 
 der buckles and put in place the broidered cestus. 
 The rosy feet were slipped into soft padded sandals 
 and the bronze-gold head swathed in gauze scarves. 
 
 u So that your disguise may be complete," urged 
 Eunice, " throw this mauve mantle, that is your 
 
128 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 mother's, about you and hold the thick folds well 
 over your mouth and chin, for the night air is treach- 
 erous and the dew, though naught but drops of opal 
 moisture, chilling to your tender feet." 
 
 " My mother! " panted Calanthe, shivering in 
 vague dread of the weirdness of her errand. 
 " Should I not rouse her and bid her accompany us? 
 She will think it strange if " 
 
 "She will not know you will not tell her of 
 it?" implored Eunice on her knees. " Because if 
 the information become too-widely known, those in 
 authority will search for the informer and my brother 
 will be put to death, in secret, by the followers of 
 Dionysius. Do not wake your mother, sweet." 
 
 Calanthe raised the pleading maid and folded her 
 in her soft arms. 
 
 " Do you think that I would knowingly bring harm 
 to one who has risked so much to save my Pythias 
 from dishonor? Think you I do not know that if 
 your brother did but submit to bribery, he could have 
 made a goodly sum and no one would have been the 
 wiser? I would have ta'en my mother with me as 
 protection." 
 
 " Aratus will be our protection," answered Eunice, 
 wrapping her mistress closely in her mantle. " He 
 would kill one who'd dare to interfere with our 
 progress. For, as you know, his worship of your 
 sweet self is as profound as mine own." 
 
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT 129 
 
 Silently, with cautious step, the two maidens sought 
 the inner courtyard. At their approach Aratus ran 
 to the heavy portal and swung it wide. 
 
 " Be careful lest it clang," warned Eunice, bracing 
 her slim, young body against the oaken panels, to 
 decrease its impetus. " Now that we are safely out, 
 we must do naught to arouse suspicion." 
 
 " We must not go by the road," announced Ca- 
 lanthe as she caught sight of the dazzling white 
 stretch that led to the dwelling of Pythias. " Let 
 us through the garden, then along the wooded path 
 that follows the brook in whose purling waters we 
 bathed our ankles that day, so many months ago, 
 when first my Pythias saw me." 
 
 " It is a longer way," objected Aratus, who lived in 
 dread lest the knaves return and bribe his associates 
 while he was absent. 
 
 " It is a safer way," reproved Calanthe. " And 
 it is wise to sacrifice time to safety, when we are sur- 
 rounded by plotters all intent upon our downfall. 
 Lead the way, Eunice." 
 
 The three figures, now hid in the complete ob- 
 scurity of dense, overhanging foliage, now distinct, 
 where the silver rays penetrated to small cleared 
 spaces, moved silently on their way. 
 
 Strange wood-calls that sounded ghostly on the 
 silent night, made the maidens shrink more closely 
 into their all-enveloping mantles. Obsessed by the 
 
130 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 weirdness of the night and the unearthly radiance of 
 the moon, Calanthe thought of Hecati and wondered 
 if she were wandering at large. 
 
 She uttered a wild, little cry and clutched at 
 Eunice's arm. 
 
 "We have reached the outer hedge," the maid 
 reassured her. " Just a step inside and we are safe. 
 Aratus, quicken your steps and rouse Pythias' slave. 
 He sleeps outside his master's chamber. Tell him 
 to give message that Calanthe awaits him, in the 
 garden. Haste, for the cold night has chilled her 
 hands and tremors shake her form." 
 
 In the black shade of an arbor "of evergreens, Ca- 
 lanthe clung to Eunice and watched, with suspense- 
 sharpened eyes for first sight of her lover. The 
 minutes seemed an eternity. She felt her knees lose 
 their strength. Her brain reeled in bewilderment. 
 What was the delay? Had he sickened? Had he 
 been slain on his couch? Had Dionysius ? 
 
 Suddenly, in the white light reflected from the 
 marble steps, she saw the form of her knight. As 
 he advanced the moon caught the glitter of his hel- 
 met and made it a dazzling crown for his handsome 
 face. 
 
 Calanthe, not recovered from the shock of her 
 rude awakening, exhausted from her hurried journey 
 through the woodland and torn with the agony of 
 suspense, watched his approach. But the sight of 
 
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT 131 
 
 him in all his strength and beauty, safe, and eager 
 for her greeting swept over her in a great engulfing 
 wave and as he reached her side, she swooned in his 
 protecting arms. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 THE PLOT FRUSTRATED 
 
 AT the stables Lertes held sway and threat- 
 ened, with instant punishment, him who 
 first showed signs of flight or great fear. 
 
 " I know no more of this sudden riot and dark 
 mystery than do you. Harm threatened, of that 
 I'm sure. Did not Aratus warn me that unless he 
 should flee and carry warning, on the instant, our 
 heads would stain to sullen crimson the murderous 
 ax of the executioner? " 
 
 u And does belief of all you hear penetrate so 
 sharply to your brain that you must needs follow 
 every edict and not stop to call your soul your own ? " 
 derisively questioned one of the boys, who tended 
 the horses of Aristle. 
 
 Lertes frowned darkly on the speaker and shook 
 a defiant fist under his broad and flattened nostrils. 
 
 " Give not tongue to your ignorance I " he men- 
 aced shrilly. " Your closed lips might vaguely sug- 
 gest that pearls of wisdom fell from their shelter. 
 But when you separate their closeness and sounds do 
 issue from between, then are all thoughts of wisdom 
 but a merry jest and you the jester! " 
 
 132 
 
THE PLOT FRUSTRATED 133 
 
 " What waked the steeds when they had but just 
 fallen to slumber? " questioned another, rubbing his 
 heavy, red-rimmed eyes and showing his huge teeth 
 in an all-enveloping yawn. 
 
 " That I know not," acknowledged Lertes, " nor 
 does anyone of us save Aratus. And he fled with 
 such suddenness that not a word of information was 
 forthcoming. He will tell us all when he returns." 
 
 " But will he return? " asked a third, stretching 
 his limbs so tautly that his joints cracked in rebel- 
 lion. " I trust him not. He is too learned, too 
 given to dreams and too full of devotion to his mas- 
 ters. Will he return? " 
 
 " What advantage to him not to? " argued Lertes, 
 not finding logical denial to launch against this latest 
 skeptic. " Voice no more of your doubts and mis- 
 givings for should he return laden with rewards to be- 
 stow on us for having done our duty, I will see to it 
 that he who was most distrustful goes forth with 
 empty palms to seek position elsewhere." 
 
 The Arabian steeds of Pythias, unused to strange 
 voices and chafing at the absence of Aratus and his 
 caressing pats, pulled at their ropes and shook their 
 manes from side to side, until the evenly combed 
 hairs were all atangle. 
 
 Lertes entered the stall of Mentum and sought 
 to quiet his exhibitions of ugly temper. He reached 
 up and strove to smooth the arched neck, as he had 
 seen Aratus do. The thankless animal, as reward, 
 
i 3 4 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 swooped down and caught his tunic between his 
 strong, even teeth. Then with his struggling, kick- 
 ing burden he tossed his head and struck first one 
 wall, then the other with the helpless Lertes, while 
 the boy's comrades looked on aghast and motion- 
 less. 
 
 " Kick him I Lash him ! Help me ! " gurgled 
 the powerless one as his shins came in sharp contact 
 with the stone-edge. 
 
 But rather than risk their sound limbs and cow- 
 ardly hides to the viciousness of the exasperated 
 steed, they watched their companion receive bruise 
 after bruise, and lifted not a finger to aid him in his 
 peril. 
 
 Suddenly there was a sound of scurrying feet and 
 Aratus and Pythias dashed into the stables and made 
 for the spot where the craven group watched the 
 antics of the enraged Mentum. 
 
 "Down!" shouted Aratus in ringing tones. 
 " What means this display of temper, O wicked one? 
 The whip shall greet your hide for this ! " 
 
 Mentum, at the first familiar syllable, pricked up 
 his narrow pointed ears and dropped his victim in 
 a sudden heap. As Lertes scrambled to his feet and 
 dashed from the stall to guard against a possible 
 repetition, the horse hung his head and looked sadly, 
 but with a tinge of drollery, from the corner of his 
 large, soft eyes. 
 
 His dilated nostrils quivered sensitively and he 
 
THE PLOT FRUSTRATED 135 
 
 sought to condone his sudden aggression by laying 
 his head softly on the shoulder of the stern Aratus, 
 who was about to administer punishment. 
 
 " Do not lash him," interposed Pythias, placing 
 a protecting hand on his well-loved favorite. " He 
 was disturbed at the clamor and missed your touch 
 to quiet him." 
 
 Aratus, only too glad of an excuse to pet the ani- 
 mal, dropped the leathern thong to the floor of the 
 stall, whence as if in gentle rebuke, Mentum lifted 
 it between his teeth and laid it carefully in Aratus' 
 palm. 
 
 " I will make it right with the boy who suffered 
 through his playfulness," said Pythias, looking to 
 the corner where Lertes, nursing his cuts and bruises, 
 glowered, while they made much of the animal who 
 had just treated him so harshly. 
 
 " We have no time to lose," warned Aratus, as 
 Pythias, his cheek pressed closely to that of the cul- 
 prit, whispered words of consolation into his listen- 
 ing ear. 
 
 " Yes, we must act quickly," he agreed, stepping 
 outside the stall and advancing to where the boys 
 stood, their mouths wide with curiosity, their eyes 
 dulled from disturbed slumbers. " I will explain the 
 case in few words. Do you all pay strict attention, 
 grasp well my instructions and in the end will you all 
 profit! A silver piece to each who does well what 
 he is bidden." 
 
136 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 The situation having assumed a definite monetary 
 value, the interest shown became vital. They 
 crowded close about the young general, fearful of 
 losing a word that might aid them in the performance 
 of his demands. Even Lertes, whose soul was 
 wounded far more deeply than his flesh, pressed close 
 and forgot his animosity of a moment since. 
 
 * You all were on the streets of Syracuse this day 
 and saw the people welcome me from my Cartha- 
 ginian triumphs/' said Pythias, with not a vestige of 
 the braggart in his words. " My reception has not 
 pleased one who is most powerful in the city and he 
 has plotted to cause my defeat in to-morrow's contest 
 in the arena. 
 
 " My horses are to be driven and purposely tired, 
 while Syracuse sleeps; so that after the first dash of 
 the race, the steeds of Aristle, fresh from their sta- 
 bles, will far outstrip me. Thus has Dionysius 
 planned for my downfall. Two ruffians will visit the 
 stables, perform the deed and receive as payment a 
 bag of gold. 
 
 " I have come to defeat their plans and I desire 
 your aid. If you had assisted them in their foul 
 purpose they would have bestowed, as bribe money, 
 not more than five drachmas apiece; while I will 
 give, for faithful service and a quiet tongue, a silver 
 piece to all alike." 
 
 Aratus walked to the stalls of his charges, untied 
 the ropes that held two captive and led them to the 
 
THE PLOT FRUSTRATED 137 
 
 center of the stable floor. Pythias seized the hal- 
 ters and waited till Aratus had released the two re- 
 maining. He then led the way to another section 
 of the stables and halted before the stalls where the 
 horses of Aristle were confined. 
 
 " Loose their halters ! " he commanded Aratus, 
 " and lead them to the other section." 
 
 At first comprehension of the plan on foot, the 
 swarthy stable boy in the service of Aristle, the fore- 
 most charioteer of Sicily, darted under the arm of 
 Pythias and made for* the open door. 
 
 " Pursue him ! " Aratus raised the cry. " A 
 double reward for him who makes the capture ! " 
 
 In but a moment they dragged him back, protesting 
 all in vain, his clothing caked with mud where they 
 had thrown him to the ground. 
 
 "Thought you to warn your master?" queried 
 Pythias. " 'Twas a loyal attempt and so shall I tell 
 him when the race is o'er and I have won. For 
 the present you shall be bound and gagged so that 
 when the scoundrels come again, your lamentations 
 will be choked to silence. Bind him securely, you 
 others, and cast him where the eyes of the intruders 
 will find him not." 
 
 A gag of hay forced between the complaining lips 
 prevented all sound from escaping. The squirming 
 arms and kicking legs were bound securely at wrist 
 and ankle with slender leathern thongs that bit deep. 
 
 Thus, securely guarded against future outbreaks,, 
 
138 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 the helpless form was borne to an inner room where 
 were stored the worn trappings and harnesses of 
 other years. 
 
 " The time draws near for a second attempt.' 1 
 Pythias walked to the window and surveyed the scene 
 before him. At the base of the hill, he thought he 
 discerned two black specks creeping from shadow to 
 shadow. He rubbed his eyes and looked more 
 closely. Just then they reached a space that was 
 without shadow. He saw one man leap with great 
 bounds across the moonlit spot. In sudden anger 
 he turned from the window. 
 
 u Even now they mount the hill! " he shouted to 
 the boys who eagerly awaited the signal to take part 
 in this exciting comedy. " Remember well my warn- 
 ing. Cast yourselves about the floor and assume at- 
 titudes of deep slumber. When they enter, do not 
 stir. If they should trip over your prostrate bodies, 
 make no sign. I would enjoin you to be most care- 
 ful, for if they detect that you are but acting, in- 
 flamed with wine, as they are, they might do vio- 
 lence and turn this jest of ours to tragedy. As for 
 myself, I will seek concealment in the stores of hay. 
 From that shelter I can watch the proceedings, un- 
 seen and unheard. Haste ! For I hear their heavy 
 feet crunch into the gravel of the roadway." 
 
 The scene that met the eyes of the two hirelings 
 was one of utter peace and quiet. Here and there 
 the sleeping form of a stable boy was lighted by the 
 
THE PLOT FRUSTRATED 139 
 
 moonbeams that penetrated to the main corridor. 
 The horses in their stalls, quieted but not yet asleep, 
 nodded drowsily. 
 
 The taller of the two grasped the arm of his com- 
 panion and pointed a finger of scorn at the sleepers. 
 
 " Did I not tell you that they would be our last 
 fear?" he questioned boastfully, and with strange 
 mouthings, due to recent draughts of wine. " Mighty 
 guardians of blooded steeds are they! See their 
 deathlike stupor. One could blow a trumpet blast 
 and succeed only in ruffling their dreams ! They are 
 but poor beasts, who are driven to work, that they 
 have food to place between their lips. While we, 
 just for a night's pastime such as this, are presented 
 with a double purse of gold and are enabled to feast 
 for weeks to come. 'Tis well to be born with skill." 
 
 Pythias, secreted in the hay, began to suffer from 
 the intense heat. If they would but hasten to their 
 deed and give him freedom! He stretched forth 
 his hand and pulled loose a small clump that choked 
 his breathing. As the cool air greeted his nostrils 
 he breathed deeply. 
 
 The shorter rascal, who was bent on untying the 
 first horse, rushed from the stall and clutched fran- 
 tically at his accomplice's arm. 
 
 " What was't? " he gasped, his swollen eyes blink- 
 ing in terror, his unsteady knees clicking in comic 
 manner. 
 
 "What was what?" blandly inquired the other, 
 
140 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 throwing off his uncomfortably tight grip. " Ne'er 
 shall I take you again on such errand. You would 
 shatter the calm of the surest of men, with your wild 
 gibberings and your hearing of sounds that never 
 were born. When next I am commissioned to carry 
 out a difficult problem you shall remain at home. 
 And when I return victorious, you, white-livered 
 craven, shall sit the other side of the table and try 
 to stem the tides that rise from your watering lips, 
 as I quaff bowl after bowl and offer you none." 
 
 Thus threatened with an arid future, the timorous 
 one took courage and led two of the horses from 
 their stalls. 
 
 " See," he mocked in newly-acquired bravado, " I 
 can kick the hounds and rouse them not! " 
 
 He applied his broad knobby toes to the back of 
 the feigning Aratus. The slim body lifted slightly 
 from the floor, in obedience to the kick, and, when 
 it was withdrawn, sank, as supine as before. 
 
 This caused great mirth between the two. And 
 if it had not happened that the wiser one, through 
 his soddenness, awoke to the realization that dawn 
 was not far distant, the foolish member would have 
 spent the hours that were to come in lavishly dis- 
 tributing all kicks that he was capable of admin- 
 istering. 
 
 Carefully they piloted the four steeds to the open 
 doorway. Each, after many unsuccessful attempts, 
 mounted one and led the other by shortened halter. 
 
THE PLOT FRUSTRATED 141 
 
 Down the hillside, in a direction opposite to the city, 
 they galloped. As the echoing hoof beats grew 
 fainter and fainter, Pythias crawled from his lair, 
 wellnigh spent with the humid heat, and roused his 
 conspirators. 
 
 Unfastening a leathern pouch from his wide belt 
 he presented a silver piece to each. Unrestrained 
 joy reigned. Not only was the pay munificent, but 
 the complete deception delighted their souls. For, 
 in the frail mind of each of us lurks the fond thought 
 that he shelters the genius of an actor. 
 
 While the happy ones joined hands and jumped 
 about in high glee, Pythias entered the room of old 
 harnesses and trappings. Squirming on the floor, 
 in a dark, cobwebbed corner, lay the gagged and 
 bound stable boy of Aristle, bitter hatred and revolt 
 shining from his flashing eyes. 
 
 Pythias bent, loosened the clenched fingers of one 
 bound hand and placed in the hot, wet palm, six 
 coins of silver. 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 THE RACE 
 
 DAWN broke, mauve and silver, from the 
 horizon of the sea. It coated the still 
 waters with a frostlike sheen, that warmed 
 gradually to color. It deepened from mauve to dull 
 rose, from rose to pink, from pink to scarlet and 
 gold; until the vaulted skies reflected its radiance 
 and the feathery clouds curled soft corners and dyed 
 themselves in its shades. 
 
 The hush over the city of Syracuse lifted, first 
 with low, indistinct rumbling as of preparation far 
 distant, that shook the surface of the earth. Later, 
 the monotony of sound was punctuated here and there 
 by a shrill call, a crash of metal gates and the excited 
 conversation of gathering crowds. 
 
 Looking down from the Circus Hill, the narrow 
 streets and by-ways assumed the appearance of an un- 
 covered beehive. Streams of humanity moving, yet 
 having no definite objective point, wound in and out 
 the gayly decorated houses. 
 
 In the richer neighborhoods, the gates remained 
 closed. But in the gardens, slaves ran excitedly to 
 and fro. Handmaidens gathered sheafs of rich 
 blooms for their mistresses' litters. Stable boys 
 
 142 
 
THE RACE 143 
 
 groomed stamping horses and guardians of the wine 
 cellars filled huge flagons with gold and ruby liquids. 
 
 In the apartment of Calanthe, Eunice, wan from 
 insufficient sleep, took from its wardrobe the tunic 
 of silver cloth embroidered with coral beads that 
 her mistress was to wear to the games. Calanthe, 
 in her bath, sang softly a simple melody taught her 
 by an old nurse. 
 
 " Do you not feel the thrill that throbs through 
 the very air?" she demanded eagerly. " 'Tis a 
 wondrous day! Think you that ever before had 
 maiden so much happiness crowded into a single 
 block of hours? First the games and the chariot 
 race in which her lover will be victor! Then " 
 
 " Hush ! " Eunice bade her in sudden apprehen- 
 sion. ' l When you are so sure of victory it is but 
 tempting the gods to thwart your assurance. Since 
 our troublous night I have had strange misgivings. 
 If the subterfuge were discovered ! If Dionysius " 
 
 A handmaiden folded a fleecy robe about the glis- 
 tening, wet body of her young mistress. Calanthe 
 stepped from the pool and threw herself at length 
 upon a couch. 
 
 " If it were not imperative that I be robed so 
 early to proceed to the Circus, I would love it well 
 to slumber but a little while longer. My broken 
 rest and our strange errand, in the dead of night, 
 have weighted my eyelids. But was it not an unusual 
 adventure?' 7 she finished, enthusiastically. 
 
144 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Her maidens, with soft cloths, dipped into jars 
 of porcelain and gently rubbed her rosy flesh with 
 perfumes and nourishing oils. She lay looking up 
 with dreamy eyes at the star-flecked ceiling of her 
 chamber. 
 
 " No one but Eunice may arrange my tresses on 
 this day," she said, glancing with deep affection at 
 her favorite maid. " And it must be so marvelously 
 done that when my Pythias gazes upon me, from 
 his chariot, in the arena, his heart will bound with 
 pride in his possession ! " 
 
 " Has his heart not bounded thus, always, since 
 the first moment your sweet lips agreed to be be- 
 trothed to him?" questioned Eunice, indulgent in 
 her adoration. " I fear you wish to attract the 
 glances of others that they may whisper, ' All his 
 luck lies not in the games. Look what a pearl be- 
 yond price he takes to his bosom to-day ! ' Is that 
 not so, spoiled one ? " 
 
 " No, it is not so ! " was the indignant denial, as 
 Calanthe sat erect to add vehemence to her words. 
 " And yet," she mused naively, " it will be well for 
 the criminal and ill-featured Dionysius to see that 
 which he has so completely lost." 
 
 " Rid your mind of such worldly thoughts ! " 
 Eunice exclaimed in mock-reproof. u On the wed- 
 ding day of maid must no thought of other than her 
 lover dwell, even for an instant, in her pretty head. 
 If Pythias but knew your designs in making your 
 
THE RACE 145 
 
 appearance so wonderfully alluring, then would he 
 shroud your features in a thick veil and drape your 
 rounded form with mantles not transparent." 
 
 Calanthe raised her glowing arms and sighed hap- 
 pily. 
 
 " That will come soon enough," she pouted. 
 " For from this night forth, it will be expected of 
 me that I consider all the earth populated by just 
 one man and that my husband." 
 
 She ran to the edge of the pool and gazed long 
 upon her reflection there. 
 
 "Am I beautiful enough for him?" she asked at 
 length, a shadow of doubt creeping into her voice. 
 " In this new tunic I have not the youthful look that 
 I have been accustomed to gaze upon. A sedate- 
 ness rests upon my shoulders that makes me fear to 
 look too close, lest I see age creep on with stealthy 
 step." 
 
 " Foolish girl ! " Eunice shook her playfully and 
 pulled loose a curl or two that they might rest lov- 
 ingly upon the damask cheek. " The breaking dawn 
 envies your fresh beauty. 'Tis the fault of the tunic. 
 The rich material and the stiffness of its folds con- 
 ceals the youthful grace of your figure." 
 
 " Then will I wear one I have worn before. Bring 
 me one of azure and bind my hair with silver fillets. 
 Oh, Eunice, I desire much to don my wedding robes 
 and catch but a tiny glance of my reflection in their 
 chaste beauty. But my mother says that the wear- 
 
146 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 ing of a bridal robe before the bridal hour presages 
 ill. Think you the tale is true ? " 
 
 " I think whate'er your mother speaks is truth," 
 replied Eunice, shocked at the thought of doubting 
 her elders. " Come, hasten, Calanthe ! Slip your 
 feet into the silver sandals that I may adjust the 
 straps. There is still much to do and our appear- 
 ance at the Circus must not be delayed." 
 
 " I would not give thought to starting for a full 
 hour, or still longer," objected Calanthe. " None 
 but the rabble enters the gates of the Circus at this 
 hour. The noble and very rich, with seats procured, 
 make their entrance but just before the start." 
 
 From the streets arose a very hubbub of cheers; 
 and voices, some dissenting, some with hearty words 
 of greeting, intermingling with shrill accusation, 
 floated in through the heavy draperies. Snatching 
 up a veil Calanthe wound it round her head and 
 shoulders and drew Eunice out on the balcony beside 
 her. 
 
 " Oh, is't not wonderful? " she breathed in hushed 
 tones. " Ne'er before, in this short memory of 
 mine, has the scene been so amazing." 
 
 Calanthe threw her arms about her maid and held 
 her tightly, in a sudden rush of ecstasy. Thus, 
 clasped closely, they surveyed the bustle of the scene 
 before them. 
 
 In Syracuse, on a day of this sort, the games were 
 free ; therefore, at the first hour of dawn, the rabble, 
 
THE RACE 147 
 
 fearful lest there be not room for all, despite the 
 huge capacity of the Circus, wound their way from 
 the city's streets to camp about the entrance gates. 
 
 This struggling stream of humanity was now in 
 progress. It wound, snakewise, from the Senate 
 Square, up to the portals, where it seemed to flatten 
 and spread. Only the Circus attendants knew what 
 scenes of violent contention would take place when 
 first the blast sounded as signal for the swinging in 
 of the huge, bronze-bound gates. 
 
 And once admitted, would they feast and doze 
 upon the benches, whence naught but an upheaval of 
 the earth or a menacing group of short swords could 
 drive them forth. 
 
 " What is it they bear in their arms? " questioned 
 Calanthe, looking upon the queer bundles of all sizes 
 and shapes. 
 
 " Food, wine, robes to protect against the elements, 
 if the elements do protest," Eunice told her. " They 
 go prepared for comfort for the day. These great 
 times come but seldom in the poorer man's existence, 
 and when they do, he gets from them all the gayety 
 they contain." 
 
 " Oh, let us haste to the scene, ourselves! " urged 
 Calanthe. " I would be seated to view this strange 
 assemblage burst into the Circus and find their places. 
 iWould it not be sport, Eunice, to see it all, aye, from 
 the very beginning? " 
 
 " Your mother would not allow it. Neither would 
 
i 4 8 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Pythias countenance your presence there before the 
 proper time. Besides, the garlands for your litter 
 will have to be exchanged. I had given orders that 
 they were to be of coral-colored blooms to match 
 the coral beading of your tunic. And now, since you 
 have changed to azure, must white be substituted? 
 Wilt change your mind in love, as easily as in cos- 
 tume? " she asked playfully. 
 
 Outside the entrance gates of the Circus all was 
 confusion. The first arrivals, in fear of being dis- 
 placed from their position, flattened themselves 
 against the massive, oaken panels, so that when the 
 signal sounded and the gates swung in, they would 
 be the first to enter. 
 
 They did not stop to calculate that, in the fearful 
 pressure, the impetus with which the crowd behind 
 pressed upon them would result in their being cast 
 to the ground, where over their prostrate bodies the 
 others would rush in and there seek choice position. 
 
 Grasping their bundles closely, with faces strained 
 and eyes darting from side to side, they waited for 
 the signal. 
 
 Suddenly the air was rent with a shrill blast. 
 Three times it sounded. Dead silence followed. 
 Then there fell upon the ear the harsh brazen clang 
 of a huge metal gong, struck with iron hammers. 
 
 As the last stroke died upon the dawn, the massive 
 
THE RACE 149 
 
 bolts of the Circus portals were shot back and slowly 
 they yawned on their hinges. 
 
 Into the emptiness shot the mob as if projected 
 from a catapult. Those in the van were over- 
 whelmed as they had been many times before. And 
 while they struggled, prostrate, to maintain their hold 
 upon their treasures, they shouted hoarse curses at 
 their oppressors. 
 
 In an incredibly short time the unreserved spaces 
 were filled, with no chance of any future arrival find- 
 ing room. It now remained for the nobles and the 
 very rich to make their entrance. This, as much as 
 the games that followed, delighted the soul of the 
 proletariat. For, on this day, was all the splendor 
 of wealth and position flaunted in extravagant glare. 
 The classes came to be admired, the masses to envy 
 and give homage as it has been and always will 
 be, world without end. 
 
 When the first sharp rays of the morning sun 
 slanted up from the horizon line and struck the edges 
 of the roof-tops, the procession of wealth began. 
 
 Warriors, resplendent in full regalia, their breast- 
 plates dazzling mirrors for the rising sun, strode in 
 on foot, followed by their vassals laden with various 
 aids to their comfort. 
 
 Statesmen, with white togas edged in scarlet and 
 purple; rich merchants whose robes were overladen 
 with trimmings of great cost, so that they might im- 
 
150 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 press more deeply the success they had made in 
 trade. 
 
 Beautiful women in shimmering draperies, lounged 
 upon silken cushions, in their covered litters, and 
 were borne to their private boxes by ebony-skinned 
 slaves. Children in short, full tunics and bare dim- 
 pled knees, drank enthusiasm from their elders and 
 waved gay banners in the crowd. 
 
 Preceded by six attendants bearing bowls and cov- 
 ered dishes, from which there were wafted savory 
 odors that assailed the nostrils of the hungry, Diony- 
 sius, seated in a huge chair of gilded woods, cush- 
 ioned in purple, made his entrance. 
 
 He had discarded his armor. Upon his brow his 
 fast-thinning locks were bound by a golden band. 
 His frame was folded in a black mantle, broidered 
 with a design of golden laurel leaves. 
 
 The rabble, realizing that this was an entrance of 
 the first magnitude, got to its feet, and cheered madly. 
 The chair was borne around the arena, skirting close 
 to the lowest tier, so that all might see the Great 
 One. Dionysius lifted a bored hand in greeting, as 
 the people of Syracuse shouted their enthusiasm. It 
 was the cause of comments, as he meant it should be. 
 
 But, in his sunken breast, the triumph in his heart 
 was pounding thickly and his brain conceived the 
 thought : 
 
 " A step nearer. There are not many left for me 
 to travel. I have the people with me." 
 
THE RACE 151 
 
 Some one called his name. It was taken up on 
 all sides and soon all the Circus rang with shrill cries 
 of " Dion-ysius-s-s ! " 
 
 His four stout servants bore him up an aisle and 
 rested his chair in the exact center of his box. Im- 
 mediately was he followed there by Damocles and 
 Philistius. 
 
 " We have done well to rouse enthusiasm of such 
 power," commented Damocles, with a chuckle of 
 smug satisfaction. 
 
 "We?" Dionysius' brows arched themselves in 
 derision. " And what have you done, O noble sir, 
 to further the enthusiasm? Did the crowd perceive 
 your Apollo-like physique in my wake ? Or did you 
 cast coins to the rabble and thus move them to this 
 great display of spirit? " 
 
 " I did neither," was the irate retort. " That 
 show of patriotic fire was not a case of spontaneity. 
 It is the result of hard and honest labors on the part 
 of Philistius and myself. We are the ones who 
 have educated the citizens of Syracuse up to your 
 standards. Where would be your prospects of a 
 throne if it were not for us? Is not Philistius presi- 
 dent of the Senate? Can he not say yea or nay? 
 Is it not to him you'll look upon the great day, to 
 take your hand and lead you to the crown? " 
 
 Dionysius leaned forward in his chair, his chin 
 sunk in the palm of his hand, his brows meeting, in 
 rounded protuberances over his nose. His eyes, 
 
152 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 baleful from the depths of their bony sockets, scored 
 the plump anatomy of the prince of sycophants be- 
 fore him. 
 
 " Philistius, as it happens, will be the lucky man 
 upon whose arm I'll lean to ease my progress to the 
 throne. You will be there to tread behind. You 
 will bear my mantle and my reproaches. And if 
 you chafe my amiable nature, you will be there just 
 so long and not a moment longer. All that you've 
 said is true. But you have not laid stress upon the 
 fact that, lacking both Philistius and yourself, Diony- 
 sius would have gained the position that he sought. 
 And so shall it be, when centuries after your repute 
 has vanished from the page of history, will the fame 
 of Dionysius blaze from tongue to tongue, as though 
 his life were but just lived." 
 
 A litter, brilliant with spangled hangings, was con- 
 veyed past the box. As if by magic, the mask of 
 malicious sarcasm on Dionysius' face dissolved into 
 a veneer of suave benignity. He smiled. The fair 
 occupant fell back, panting, on her pillows. The 
 mighty one had shown his favor! The little by- 
 play was not lost upon the two men. This was but 
 another mild proof of the hold that the warrior gen- 
 eral exerted over all who came under his hypnotic 
 sway. 
 
 Damocles spoke, his tones honeyed with submis- 
 siveness. 
 
 " My hasty speech was born of that same physical 
 
THE RACE 153 
 
 upset of which I did complain yesterday. My stom- 
 ach is so " 
 
 u Truths that would not otherwise fall upon the 
 outside air, find utterance from an afflicted stomach. 
 When a man is bent with suffering, it matters not, 
 at the moment, whether the future hold for him 
 opulence or oblivion. And so his words come un- 
 garnished from the depths." 
 
 Damocles searched for phrases to smooth the ire 
 of his lord and found them not. No one, but 
 himself, knew how he had lost slumber, performed 
 distasteful errands and risked the disfavor of his 
 associates in the Senate, to find patronage in this 
 man's eyes. And now, in a careless-uttered accu- 
 sation, had he destroyed what advancement he had 
 achieved! The pity of it overwhelmed him. He 
 huddled into his billows of fat and pondered on his 
 desolateness. 
 
 At the gates appeared another procession. It 
 comprised a group of slaves, two litters (one mauve, 
 one azure), with occupants veiled, and a band of 
 graceful handmaids, from whose slim shoulders 
 hung a continuous rope of blossoms, that hedged 
 their mistress in. 
 
 Dionysius sat erect, his eyes strained, his nostrils 
 quivering in sudden perturbation. 
 
 " It is Calanthe and her retinue, is it not?" he 
 questioned Damocles, sharply. 
 
 14 None other but that haughty maid! " exclaimed 
 
154 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 the wily sycophant, his heart aglow at being again 
 restored to the position of informer. " See how 
 erect she holds her disdainful head and her lips are 
 curved in scorn as if she knew your eyes were upon 
 her!" 
 
 "They are?" Dionysius, whose eyesight, at a 
 distance, was none too good, laid compelling fingers 
 on the arm of his sycophant. " Look well. See if 
 her glance travels to this box. Her own is on the 
 opposite side of the arena, and perhaps they will bear 
 her litter only halfway 'round." 
 
 " That is their intention," announced Damocles, 
 as the gay little cavalcade turned sharply to the left. 
 " Methinks that in a few hours' time the haughty 
 maid, cast down at the utter defeat of her Pythias, 
 will be glad to smile upon your advances. When 
 others scorn him instead of casting garlands at his 
 feet, then will her scorn become assured. A maid 
 of wondrous beauty, accustomed as she is to adula- 
 tion, does not continue to worship where others de- 
 ride. That much have I culled from my study of 
 human nature, Dionysius." 
 
 " We shall see," muttered the other. " And, in 
 the seeing, hope that this profound observation of 
 yours have more weight than other gems of your 
 over-fat philosophy." 
 
 At the other side of the arena, Calanthe's maids 
 arranged her chair. Her eyes sought the gayly dec- 
 orated box where Dionysius and his satellites were 
 
THE RACE 155 
 
 seated. She would have rejoiced could she have 
 leaned far over the rail and shaken a small, vindic- 
 tive fist at the base plotter. Instead, she clenched 
 her tiny palms, when her thoughts fell on the man- 
 ner in which his design had been frustrated. 
 
 At last every available space was filled. The 
 gates were closed to those unlucky enough to have 
 delayed too long; and a flourish of trumpets called 
 for silence. 
 
 Instantly the gaze of all those thousands seated 
 in the fifty tiers of the Circus structure was directed 
 towards the tribunal, reared on a stone platform, jut- 
 ting out over the arena, opposite the main entrance. 
 
 There, under purple awnings that later in the 
 day, when the sun was high, would cast a grateful 
 shade, sat the aedile. The multitude, sunk to silence 
 and motionless in the grim intensity of their interest, 
 waited, breathless, for the first announcement. 
 
 A low, broad entrance, under the tribunal, threw 
 back its doors and slowly there issued the great pro- 
 cession. First, the editor and civic authorities of 
 the city, givers of the games. They were resplen- 
 dent in vari-colored robes of superb quality and heavy 
 ornamentation, and their chariots were a riot of gay 
 blossoms. 
 
 Followed, then, the contestants of the day, each 
 in the costume in which he would wrestle, box or 
 run. When this part of the procession had covered 
 a quarter of the arena course, to the wild cheering 
 
156 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 of the people, all eyes were again turned to the en- 
 trance. 
 
 With a sullen rumbling, faint at first, then grow- 
 ing more distinct, the two chariots dashed into view ; 
 then did the people stand upon the benches and the 
 clamor deepened. Hardly a man in that vast as- 
 sembly but had laid a wager, no matter how small, 
 upon the outcome of the race hence the doubled 
 enthusiasm. 
 
 The splendid chariots, the one inlaid with ivory 
 and silver, the other rich in mother-of-pearl and thin, 
 gold lines, were drawn slowly around the entire 
 course. The high-spirited fours, their coats the 
 glossy black of polished jet, lifted their slender limbs 
 in haughty consciousness of being the admired of the 
 throng. 
 
 As the chariot of Pythias reached Calanthe's box, 
 a figure of noble proportion and massive head, 
 wrapped in white-and-red folds of a senator's toga, 
 rose from concealment behind her chair and waved 
 a triumphant greeting. 
 
 On the other side of the arena, Dionysius darted 
 forward in his chair. 
 
 " It is Damon ! " he exclaimed excitedly. " I had 
 not seen him enter. Where came he? By what 
 portal? And why secretly? Neither is his wife 
 Hermion nor his boy Xextus with him. Yet, at sight 
 of him, is Pythias' faith in his own infallibility re- 
 doubled." 
 
THE RACE 157 
 
 " So wonderful is their friendship ! " supplemented 
 Damocles. 
 
 " I still maintain that each would have his price. 
 Would there might be test of my assertion ! Look ! 
 Here they come. Note the fire of Aristle's steeds. 
 E'en before the start, do they show their superiority. 
 The plot so well accomplished as it was, was worth 
 full double the purchase price." 
 
 Calanthe's gaze was fixed upon the face of Diony- 
 sius as her lover's chariot approached his box. 
 
 " See ! " she bade Damon look, with sudden in- 
 tensity. " He consults Damocles and curls his mouth 
 corners in scorn. They are discussing their vile 
 plan. Ah! What a change will come over those 
 two hard countenances when once the race is run! " 
 
 The chariots disappeared whither they had come. 
 Now the crowd settled well forward in their seats. 
 The asdile rose. Few could hear his words, but 
 the introductory remarks were always much the same. 
 Two heralds, one stationed at each projecting cor- 
 ner of the tribunal platform, sounded blasts on their 
 trumpets. 
 
 The gates flew open and a group of discus throw- 
 ers ran to the center of the arena. The contest was 
 close. At the ending, the victor was borne around 
 the course, astride the shoulders of the defeated 
 athletes. 
 
 Then followed foot races, jumping, tests of en- 
 durance and wrestling matches. Between each two 
 
158 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 events, the voices of the crowds rose to a babel of 
 sound. There were controversies, good-natured and 
 otherwise. Twice did the guardians of peace in- 
 terfere where, on the commoners' benchs, men grew 
 too free with their blows and too careless of their 
 epithets. 
 
 At midday, the programme, with the exception of 
 the chariot race, was concluded. The editor an- 
 nounced the period of recess. 
 
 At once all those who had coin to buy with, made 
 hurried exit to the outside portico, where the food 
 vendors had set up quarters. 
 
 Those remaining in their seats opened the vari- 
 ous bundles they had carried since dawn and started 
 to feast. There was much competition in display 
 of what each had brought. And upon the quality 
 of the bundles' contents was the caste of its owner 
 rated. 
 
 At a table, in a place of prominence, reclined Dio- 
 nysius, flanked on either side by Damocles and Philis- 
 tius. They ate little, but their purchases of rich wines 
 soothed the chief vendor, who wished all there as- 
 sembled to see his distinguished patrons and judge 
 his service accordingly. 
 
 Nearby, Calanthe and her mother were seated 
 with Damon and Pythias. In answer to Damon's 
 pleading with him to quaff a bowl, to add strength 
 to his wrists, Pythias raised a protesting hand. 
 
 " What need have I of artificial strength, born of 
 
THE RACE 159 
 
 the treacherous grape? " he scoffed. " I leave such 
 bolstering to my rival." 
 
 He glanced significantly to where Aristle, having 
 paused beside the table of Dionysius, had raised a 
 flagon to his lips. Dionysius caught the look and, 
 in defiance, refilled, himself, the empty tankard that 
 Aristle set upon the board. 
 
 Pythias leaned close to Damon. 
 
 " If he will fill it a few times more, then will it 
 not be necessary to run the race at all ! What folly 
 to befog his brain, even though they think his vic- 
 tory assured! " 
 
 Dionysius, misinterpreting Pythias' expression for 
 one of empty bragging, and slightly the worse for 
 wine, himself, decided that the time had come to per- 
 form his well-planned maneuver that was to deflect 
 any suspicion from him. 
 
 He clapped his hands. A slave standing near, 
 whose eyes had wellnigh fallen from their sockets, 
 watching the rare wines disappear into the gullets 
 of his master's friends, woke from his trance and 
 fell on affrighted knee before Dionysius' couch. In 
 answer to the curtly delivered command, he darted 
 back into the Circus. 
 
 When he returned, he bore on his left arm a robe 
 of state. Dionysius lifted the folds of this garment, 
 extracted what was hidden underneath and strode to 
 the table where Calanthe and her party were feast- 
 ing. 
 
160 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 He bent low in exaggerated humility and drew 
 from under his mantle a wreath of laurel leaves 
 knotted with the colors of Syracuse. 
 
 " I have brought to you," he murmured in appro- 
 priate tones of gentle felicitation, " the victor's 
 crown. E'en before the race is run, I place it in your 
 care, with confidence. For the victor," he indicated 
 Pythias with a wide-swung flourish, " I am sure, 
 would not care to have it placed upon his brow by 
 any but your fair hands." 
 
 He extended the tribute of honor in both bony 
 palms. Calanthe, startled, half rose, but made no 
 response. Damon, with a mighty effort of will, con- 
 trolled his clenched fist, in its upward flight. Pythias, 
 alone, remained calm and with the same expression 
 of pleased pride upon his features, took the slender 
 green wreath from the grasp of the warlord and 
 placed it gently in Calanthe's hands. 
 
 " We will try, with all our strength," he made 
 answer, " not to betray your fond hopes in our su- 
 periority. And in pledge of it, will you not drain a 
 bowl with us? " 
 
 " I think it were wiser not," Dionysius, non- 
 plussed for a moment, spoke more of the truth than 
 he intended. " I have partaken freely, and, the heat 
 of the day upon us, my senses may not be keen 
 enough to appreciate to the full the joys of your tri- 
 umph." 
 
 With an over-low reverence, he left their board 
 
THE RACE 161 
 
 and found his way, a bit uncertainly, to his own cir- 
 cle. 
 
 From within came three shrill trumpet blasts, the 
 signals for the end of feasting. Many, leaving their 
 pages to pay the accounting, hastened back to their 
 seats, loath to lose a moment of the exciting contest 
 that w.ould end only too soon. 
 
 Pythias stood erect, extended both hands to his 
 loved one, and besought her to set the seal of suc- 
 cess upon his brow. With love and sincerity and 
 not a hint of abashment at the scurrying crowds, 
 Calanthe took his handsome face between her rosy 
 palms and pressed her red lips to his forehead. 
 Pythias extended his right hand to Damon. 
 
 The grip of the two whitened the knuckles and 
 strained the veins to prominence. Then released, 
 their palms slid gently past each other, till only the 
 finger tips remained touching. 
 
 Back in the Circus, enthusiasm, fortified with much 
 food and wine, had risen to fever heat. Wild shouts 
 and snatches of stirring song were heard. Men 
 I waved banners and besought all to become seated as 
 quickly as possible, so that the great event of the 
 day, upon which their silver would be won or lost, 
 might take place. 
 
 At last, confusion silenced, all listened with alert 
 ears to the announcement of the editor. 
 
1 62 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 The course was two parasangs long. The start- 
 ing and finishing point was the granite pillar directly 
 opposite the tribunal. The contestants were Aristle, 
 first charioteer of all Sicily, and Pythias, hero of 
 Carthage. 
 
 All this the crowd already knew. But they lis- 
 tened with as much intensity as if they were re- 
 ceiving, for the first time, information that meant 
 life or death. 
 
 The editor resumed his seat. The trumpets 
 sounded short and sharp. The starters, one for 
 each of the contestants, leaped from the sides of 
 the arena to give aid, should any be needed in start- 
 ing the excited fours. 
 
 Once more the trumpet blasts crashed upon the 
 air. Instantaneously the gatekeeper threw open the 
 stalls. From each rushed a chariot, with the thun- 
 derous velocity of a fast-approaching storm. 
 
 The vast assemblage rose, irrepressible and elec- 
 trified. They leaped upon the benches and rent 
 the air with screams and hoarse yells. This was 
 what they had been waiting for! The pent-up en- 
 thusiasm, mingling with the fever of hero worship, 
 whipped them to a frenzy. 
 
 The chalked line was stretched across the course. 
 It was a difficult feat to force the two fours to nose 
 it evenly. The midday sun beat down upon the 
 fine white sand of the arena and cast a dazzling 
 glare into the eyes of the competitors. 
 
THE RACE 163 
 
 Not for an instant did they remove their gaze 
 from the heads of their chafing steeds. The clamor 
 of the multitude struck their ears and turned to fire 
 the blood that coursed through their tense bodies. 
 At moments like this, the souls of men, in the frenzy 
 of triumph, can laugh at death, or regard it with 
 an utter calm. 
 
 Aristle dark, lithe, his sleek, black head with 
 snowhite forehead-band thrown back, held his taut 
 reins with a skill that brought delight to those who 
 had laid their wagers on his previous record. His 
 tunic was orange, striped in gold. His bared legs, 
 glistening from the brisk rubbing he had just re- 
 ceived, showed swarthy against the white high-laced 
 boots. 
 
 Pythias, blond and statuesque, a monument of 
 strength, was clad in crimson, striped with white. 
 His gold locks, escaping from the broad crimson 
 band that bound them tightly, were lifted by soft 
 breezes that had just risen from the sea. The 
 crowd that had cast garlands at his feet on his re- 
 turn the day before cheered him madly. 
 
 Above in her chair, soothed by the firm confidence 
 of Damon in his friend, Calanthe bent forward with 
 tightly clasped hands. The laurel wreath, on a 
 stand before her eyes, seemed but an omen of de- 
 feat. She understood full well Dionysius' method 
 in presenting it. 
 
 At the finish, if Aristle won, he would send a dele- 
 
1 64 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 gation of pages to her box and have them bear back, 
 across the arena, in full view of the multitude, the 
 victor's crown. This would so strongly emphasize 
 the defeat of Pythias that there would follow hisses 
 and other signs of violent disapproval. Also would 
 it put Dionysius, himself, in the fair light of having 
 desired that his general, who rivaled him in warfare, 
 be the victor. This would be proof sufficient, to the 
 rabble, that the noble heart of the overlord sheltered 
 no jealousy. 
 
 The trumpeters, at a given signal from the editor, 
 blew a vigorous blast. The judges dropped the 
 rope. An attendant leaped to position behind each 
 charioteer. The two contestants flung wide their 
 long leathern lashes and cracked them fiercely. 
 With vicious snorts, their nostrils blood red, their 
 eyes, with crimson-flecked whites, rolling madly, the 
 fours dashed forward! 
 
 Thousands held their breath. Up where the 
 asdile sat, merchants of high station redoubled their 
 wagers. The race was on ! The souls of two men 
 waged battle. And a multitude, with strained eyes 
 and throats parched with excitement, bent over the 
 course and urged them to victory or defeat I 
 
 The first round was half accomplished. Aristle 
 a full length ahead, leaned over his horses' backs 
 and slashed their sleek coats. Pythias, still erect, 
 used his long whip not at all. 
 
 Voices shouted directions at him. His admirers 
 
THE RACE 165] 
 
 urged him to the lash. But he heeded nothing save 
 the judgment of his own calm brain. 
 
 The first round completed, Aristle had gained in 
 the lead. The speed with which his wheels ground 
 into the white sand cast glistening sprays of the 
 tiny particles. They struck the nostrils of the 
 steeds behind and drove them to frenzy. 
 
 With feet spread and tunic snapping sharply in 
 the breeze, Aristle plied his whip. Wider and 
 wider grew the space that separated the two char- 
 iots! 
 
 Calanthe jumped from her chair and bent her 
 slender body over the box edge. Her shrill cries 
 were drowned in the wild roars about her. Damon 
 seized her arm and drew her gently to her seat. In 
 wild despair she hid her face in her trembling hands 
 and wept. 
 
 Opposite, Dionysius, with mouth drawn at one 
 corner and lids half shut, looked upon her grief 
 and smiled. 
 
 The third round accomplished, the multitude drew 
 breath. It was resolving itself into a one-sided af- 
 fair. With a lead as great as his, even a poorer 
 charioteer than Aristle could not help but conquer. 
 The stake holders began to figure up their gains or 
 losses. 
 
 At the beginning of the fourth round it was 
 noticed that the sides of Aristles' four were flecked 
 with creamy lather, while the others were but glis- 
 
1 66 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 tening wet. A few feet further on their mouths 
 dripped foam and their jaws sagged at the sawing 
 bit. 
 
 Then did Pythias raise his arm. Stretched taut, 
 with muscles like rippling steel, he unfurled his lash 
 and brought it down with a demon's fury on the 
 satin hide of Mentum. The animal, accustomed as 
 he was to caresses and words of deep affection, 
 reared on his slender hoofs and then dashed for- 
 ward, as if from death itself. 
 
 With heads down and bodies flattened to the 
 ground so that they had the appearance of actually 
 skimming the surface of the course, Pythias' four 
 devoured the space intervening. On and on they 
 dashed! Each revolution of the wheels diminished 
 the lead of the chariot ahead. 
 
 With feet braced against the quadriga sides and 
 reins held loosely in his iron grip, Pythias smote 
 the air in a continuous cracking of his whip. Not 
 once again did the sting eat into the coats of his 
 horses. But the dire sound and the mad fear of 
 a repetition of their punishment crazed them till 
 their hoofs shot from under their steaming bodies 
 with redoubled speed. 
 
 On and on! Their noses came abreast of the 
 tail end of Aristle's chariot. The body of Aristle 
 lunged forward over the chariot edge as if suspended 
 from above. His curses rent the air. His whip 
 curled and flattened, cracked and cut. The lines 
 
THE RACE 167 
 
 where it had burned into the flesh, spurted red. The 
 foaming lather was dyed crimson with the drops 
 that oozed so slowly. 
 
 On and on! The eight black steeds, nose and 
 nose, spun round the curve of the fifth lap. At its 
 completion would the victor be proclaimed. 
 
 Inch by inch, urged by words of impetuous plead- 
 ing that sank into their ears despite the deafening 
 cheers, the horses of Pythias gained upon their com- 
 petitors in the race. 
 
 Leading by a head, then by a neck, further on by 
 a half body-length they flew over the ground. 
 Within a half a round of the goal they left the 
 others in their wake. Faster! Faster! Into the 
 home stretch they galloped! Drunk with triumph, 
 Pythias flung his whip from him, and, with a final 
 plunge, whirled across the goal line victor! 
 
 Halfway down the side, the chariot of Aristle 
 came to a dead half. The outside horse, his hide 
 cut to ribbons, dropped in his tracks; and over the 
 chariot edge hung the limp body of the best char- 
 ioteer in all Sicily; his whip frayed and broken, dan- 
 gling from his unconscious hand. 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 THE WEDDING HOUR 
 
 DIONYSIUS paced the floor of his inner 
 courtyard. His threatening brow, under 
 his disordered locks, grew sterner and more 
 creased. His bony hands now clasped behind him, 
 now clenched aloft in menacing gesture, brought 
 terror to the heart of Damocles, who, muddled with 
 much wine and an afternoon devoid of slumber, sat 
 as one drugged, or foolish. 
 
 In the background, silent, and shrouded in deep 
 thought, stood Philistius, full of wise suggestions, 
 but fearing to offer one. Twice he put foot for- 
 ward as if to interrupt the ceaseless pacing of the 
 over-general and twice did he withdraw it in im- 
 minent fear of the burst of wrath he might bring 
 down upon his whitening head. 
 
 " Didst see the frenzy, the utter madness of the 
 crowds?" hissed Dionysius between his tightly 
 clenched teeth. " Didst note how men of prom- 
 inence leaped into the arena, and throwing them- 
 selves upon his chariot, did permit their bodies to be 
 dragged through the burning sands, as proof of 
 their insane worship? Didst behold the women 
 
 168 
 
Universal Film Manufacturing Co. 
 
 PYTHIAS DEFEATS ARISTLE, THE BEST CHA] 
 
EER OF SICILY, AND CLAIMS THE PRIZE. 
 
THE WEDDING HOUR 169 
 
 cast garlands, aye, even their jewels, at his horses' 
 feet and clasp their hands in rapture as the animals 
 trod upon the tokens and destroyed their beauty and 
 their value? " 
 
 There was no answer. Both had seen. But 
 reply, in the affirmative, would have been but oil 
 upon the flames of Dionysius' mighty wrath. The 
 wise man would allow him to continue his soliloquy 
 without comment or interruption. 
 
 A slave bearing a message bidding his master to 
 a huge feast at the dwelling of one of his generals, 
 was seized by the neck and thrown with violence 
 to the marble floor ; where his poor thick skull struck 
 with a resounding whack. 
 
 Damocles' nerves, in such a tender condition be- 
 fore the incident, were wellnigh shattered at the 
 sight. It would have taken but little more to re- 
 duce him to maudlin grief. Philistius, perceiving 
 his sad plight, administered a telling thump between 
 his shoulderblades and warned him, silently, against 
 succumbing. 
 
 '' There is no time to lose ! " thundered Diony- 
 sius, halting in his angry pacing to shake a violent 
 finger in the face of his plump satellite. " This 
 afternoon, while Damon attends the festival of 
 Calanthe and his companion, Pythias, is the auspi- 
 cious moment for them to proclaim me king in the 
 Senate. Mark well, 'tis the first time the word itself 
 has passed my lips. Nor would it now, but my ire 
 
170 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 is raised to boiling and I am bound to conquer this 
 pair who would submerge me, no matter how rash 
 the deed that accomplishes it ! Haste to the Senate, 
 Philistius, and propose the plan. Damocles shall 
 follow and, when I am declared a monarch, will he 
 speed to my side to summon me thither. I shall 
 await, with impatience ! " 
 
 Philistius sought to question, but on second 
 thought, and second sight of the midnight brow, 
 resolved that deeds without questions were what 
 was desired. He turned and left the chamber. 
 
 Damocles, awake to the realization that he was 
 the only remaining target for the venomous shafts 
 of the irate warrior, rose, with bland, ingratiating 
 smile and observed that if he were to follow 'twere 
 well the following be immediate. 
 
 " Seat yourself! " commanded his chief, without 
 once turning to ascertain if he had risen. " Would 
 you amble to the Senate and muddle, in your bovine 
 way, a situation as momentous as this? 'Tis best 
 you store your carcass here until it has been decided. 
 Then can you act as messenger." 
 
 "What think you will be said, when the great 
 plan is propounded?" 
 
 The platitudinous query acted as bellows upon 
 the smoldering embers of Dionysius' wrath. He 
 strove for speech drastic enough to penetrate the 
 elephantine hide before him. He choked, sput- 
 
THE WEDDING HOUR 171 
 
 tered, purpled in the face, and, lest he commit bodily 
 harm, strode from the room. 
 
 A half hour later, a messenger, fleet of foot, ran 
 down the steps of the Senate and darted off in the 
 direction of the outskirts of the city. If one had 
 followed, it would have been ascertained that he 
 sought the home of Damon, where, spent and pant- 
 ing, he arrived, to find that the Senator was at 
 the house of Arria, waiting to be present at the wed- 
 ding feast of Calanthe and Pythias. 
 
 Lucullus, faithful slave of Damon, took the grim 
 message and without a moment's delay leapt astride 
 a saddled steed and sped, with all haste, to deliver 
 it to his master. 
 
 In the dwelling of Arria, all was rejoicing. In 
 her private apartment, Eunice and the other hand- 
 maids robed their tremulous young mistress in her 
 wedding garments. They carried on a steady stream 
 of gay chattering so that her mind would not have 
 time to dwell upon the parting from her mother 
 whom she adored. 
 
 There was laughter closely mixed with tears and 
 ready blushes displaced too soon by lilylike pallor. 
 When she rested her slim fingers on Eunice's arm, 
 in gentle caress, the chill of Calanthe's flesh struck 
 terror to the heart of her handmaid. 
 
 " What is it, sweet? " she asked at last. " Why 
 have your hands the chill of death? The hour ar- 
 
172 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 rives when you are to be joined in wedlock to the 
 one whom you worship. ;Your mind is secure in the 
 fact that he adores you above all else and only 
 to-day was he made the idol of all Syracuse and 
 victor in the great chariot race. You have all things 
 to make you delirious with joy; and underneath it all 
 I know there lurks a dread. Of what, I cannot 
 fathom. Will you not confide in me, dear one? 
 If there is aught that I can do, no matter at what 
 sacrifice, you know it shall be done." 
 
 Calanthe clung to her in sudden fright and sank 
 sobbing to her knees. 
 
 " Oh Eunice, there has been an unknown fear in 
 my heart the livelong day. I cannot fix it to any 
 cause, nor can I rid myself of it. It clutches at my 
 soul when I am gayest and shrivels the laughter on 
 my lips. It dances before my eyes, when my sight 
 is rosy, and draws a pall of black that shuts out the 
 sunshine." 
 
 Eunice caressed the bent head and shaking shoul- 
 ders. 
 
 " It is the effect of your long period of anxiety, 
 while Pythias was at the wars. That, followed by 
 the great joy and excitement of his glorious home- 
 coming and the later agitation of the games, has 
 played havoc with your health, dear. Cease weep- 
 ing, foolish child! Would you hurry to your hus- 
 band with orbs red-rimmed and swollen? It cannot 
 be at all pleasing for a man to take a weeping bride 
 
THE WEDDING HOUR 173 
 
 to his arms. Look, Calanthe ! There in the garden 
 he awaits you. See how strong his body and how 
 handsome his features. There is not a maid in 
 Syracuse but envies you this day. What would they 
 think if they could see you weep ? " 
 
 " I do not want to weep," whispered Calanthe 
 piteously. "I love him so, Eunice! With all the 
 ardor of my heart I adore and worship him! I 
 know that life can hold no greater joy than to belong 
 to him for always and yet, there is a something 
 that grips my brain and warns me of approaching 
 disaster." 
 
 " Walk to your bath and gaze upon your beau- 
 teous reflection," suggested Eunice slyly. '* What 
 you will see there would drive the tears from any 
 eye. And when you have looked, stroll into the 
 garden where they await you; and when you see the 
 light of admiration and the pride of possession 
 gleam from his dear eyes then will your sadness 
 take wing. Oh, Calanthe, never has your beauty 
 dazzled as it does this hour, as you stand there in 
 your spotless wedding robes, white as the breast of 
 a tender dove ! " 
 
 " I will gaze at my reflection in his dear eyes. 
 From this time forth will they be my twin mirrors. 
 But I fear me they will flatter. I go. Oh, Eunice, 
 I could weep with happiness but I will not." 
 
 She trailed her glistening robes over the smooth, 
 green sward. Under a huge tree her mother held 
 
174 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 gay converse with Damon and Pythias. In spite 
 of charitable intentions she found it in her heart 
 to resent this devoted friendship. Nay, one could 
 not call it friendship, according to the common 
 definition. This was something vital, of the sublim- 
 ity of deathless love. And was there room in the 
 life of one man for two such loves? 
 
 Damon turned and caught sight of her dazzling 
 white robes through the green foliage. He laid a 
 gentle hand on Pythias' shoulder and revolved him, 
 slowly, till his eye, too, caught the lovely picture. 
 
 With arms extended, and eyes earnestly fixed on 
 his, Calanthe advanced and did not halt until, her 
 head on his broad breast and his arms clasping her, 
 she murmured against his cheek: 
 
 " I love you, my own true Knight. Never must 
 you leave mq. For I will flourish only on your 
 breast. And if it be withdrawn from my support, 
 will I fade and die. Hold me to you closely for 
 all time and I will ask from the gods no other favor 
 all my life long." 
 
 Damon looked upon the two, so beautiful in their 
 young love dream and smiled with a great joy. 
 
 " Ne'er before have you known the completeness 
 of life, my Pythias," he said softly. "With this 
 sweet flower in your heart, will you be able to achieve 
 even greater things than formerly. A love like 
 yours and hers makes all things possible. Oh, cher- 
 ish her well; for her heart is pure and all yours, 
 
THE WEDDING HOUR 175 
 
 alone. See, on yonder dial the sun proclaims that 
 'tis but a short hour to the festival. My heart is 
 light within my breast to think that I am able to see 
 my dearest friend accomplish his greatest wish." 
 
 The hoof beats of a horse driven to its topmost 
 speed, echoed loudly, through the trees. A tall, 
 spare figure, dark of skin, bounded swiftly over the 
 path and dropped to one knee before Damon. 
 
 " Lucullus 1 " the stately Senator spoke his dis- 
 approval. "What brings you? Have I not told 
 you times without number that when I am on friendly 
 visits, you must not follow or summon me on foolish 
 pretext?" 
 
 "Oh, my lord!" gasped the slave, "this is no 
 foolish pretext. But a moment since a messenger 
 from the Senate galloped up to your house to bid 
 you hasten there immediately. The members of 
 your faction implore your speed, for Dionysius has 
 been declared a king! " 
 
 Damon bent and dragged Lucullus to his feet. 
 
 "Has been declared, you say?" he questioned, 
 unbelieving. " Is there not a slip in your way of 
 joining the words? Do you not mean he desires 
 to be named a king? Think well, Lucullus! " 
 
 " Nay, my lord," declared the slave vehemently, 
 " ' has been ' is the message as I received it. Oh, 
 please, my lord, hasten to where thy presence is 
 sore needed." 
 
 Pythias stepped forward and twined his arm 
 
176 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 through that of his friend. His face, so lately 
 steeped in smiles, had shadowed. 
 
 " He is sore needed here," he rebuked Lucullus. 
 '* Would have him leave me at the hour of my wed- 
 ding feast, to fight for a thankless city? " 
 
 " Have you not fought for that same city? " 
 
 " But in warrior's fashion, my Damon, which 
 is " 
 
 4 Which is no different in principle than that of 
 statesman. Only in method are they unlike and 
 yours the greater peril. A king! Think on't, 
 Pythias! Now are we and our wretched city un- 
 done. But, by the gods, will I oppose him, e'en 
 though Aetna vomit fire on his behalf! " 
 
 " Go you to the Senate, now, before the hour 
 for our festivities?" Pythias, doubting his ears, 
 searched his friend's face for answer. 
 
 " Assuredly I go," was the amazed retort. " Do 
 you suppose that I could remain away and let the 
 coward Senate sanction this dastardly deed, x without 
 my words of Ah ! I have forgot my sword. As 
 guest at. thy banquet, my Pythias, I came unarmed 
 give me your weapon." 
 
 Pythias' hand closed on the sword's hilt and 
 pushed to one side Damon's eager fingers. 
 
 ' What use will you make of it, should I give it 
 to your keeping? " 
 
 "No matter!" Damon reached impatiently for 
 the steel. 
 
Universal Ftlm Manufacturing Co. 
 
 "DIONYSIUS, KING? BY ALL THE GODS, i WILL OPPOSE HIM!' 
 
THE WEDDING HOUR 177 
 
 Calanthe threw herself upon her lover's breast, her 
 white arms tight about his neck. 
 
 " Stay his mad passion, dear one! " she pleaded 
 wildly; " by my love do I beseech you." 
 
 " You go to the Senate? Then go I with you," 
 said Pythias quietly. 
 
 Calanthe tightened her grasp convulsively. 
 
 "Nay, you must not! You shall not!" she 
 screamed, in shrill terror. 
 
 " He shall not," exclaimed Damon decisively. 
 " Give me your sword, Pythias. I promise on the 
 faith of an old friendship that I will do naught in 
 passion. Come, Calanthe, sweet, assume thy right 
 and take him deeper into the garden where he may 
 learn the names of all of your favorite flowers. 
 Soon the hour for the sweet rite will come and 
 then " he sighed deeply and clasped his feverish 
 brow with a trembling hand. 
 
 " Nay, Damon, Calanthe knows not what is at 
 stake. I must " 
 
 4 You must remain here, at her side. And may 
 the gods pour over your dear heads their choicest 
 blessings. Farewell, my well beloved friend. If 
 I am not here in person, yet will my heart be beside 
 you at the banquet hall, when your feast is merriest. 
 And, who knows, it may be possible that I return 
 to see you united. Farewell, sweet maid and 
 you, stanchest of friends." 
 
 " Damon ! " called Pythias, making an effort to 
 
178 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 break from the soft arms that bound him fast. 
 "Damon! I " 
 
 Calanthe pressed her soft cheek against his and 
 clung to him in wondrous sweetness. 
 
 " On your wedding day, my knight, think you 'tis 
 proper that you call ' O Damon ! ' in great distress, 
 when here, upon your breast, there lives a maid 
 whose heart hungers for your lips to breathe ' O 
 Calanthe, dearest! ' " 
 
 The powerful warrior enclosed his sweet burden 
 in all-protecting arms and inclined his head till his 
 full, red lips brushed just the edge of her rosy ear. 
 
 " O Calanthe, dearest, best beloved ! " he 
 breathed, with fervent passion. 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 A FRIEND'S STRONG ARM 
 
 * *"^t ^OU do not scorn my deep friendship for 
 ^L/ Damon, do you, dearest?" Pythias 
 M searched the face of his loved one with 
 anxious eagerness. " I cannot well expect a maid 
 to understand the profoundness of it. 'Tis not like 
 the love of man and woman that can be severed 
 when assaulted by an unkind word, or deed and 
 be ne'er thought of again. 'Tis not the love that 
 is slain through pride or pique. Nay, no matter 
 what my Damon's words or deeds, always will the 
 deep walls of my heart be open to him and likewise 
 will my strong, right arm do battle for his cause ! " 
 
 Calanthe, murmuring in petulant fashion, un- 
 clasped her dimpled arms from about her lover's 
 neck and wandered a little way from him. In her 
 childish pettishness, she crushed, under her tiny, 
 white sandals, a clump of purple violets. 
 
 Arria, her mother, spoke her disapproval. 
 
 " If in her obstinacy she will not understand, then 
 would I not waste both patience and breath in trying 
 to explain. In her willful heart she knows full well 
 
 179 
 
i8o DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 that a friendship such as yours for Damon is un- 
 usual in this world of deceit and conspiracy among 
 men. Yet she will not grant its beauty, because her 
 jealousy is roused and she fears your love for her 
 will be diminished by this other drain. 'Twere well 
 to punish such perverseness ! " 
 
 Pythias took hold of one little, trusting hand and 
 drew his sweet one back to the shelter of his arms. 
 She hid a scarlet cheek in the folds of his tunic. 
 
 " I shall have to spend all the idle hours of my 
 life in trying to persuade her that naught but deep 
 love for her sweet self fills this worthless heart of 
 mine," he murmured indulgently. " But also must 
 she learn that whate'er I'd do in friendship's name, 
 for Damon, that would he do for me and more." 
 
 " It would render your cup of happiness complete 
 if he could escape the Senate in time to reach here 
 for the sweet feast that is to join you," observed 
 Arria, with gentle understanding. " Think you he 
 will find it possible? " 
 
 Suddenly there arose from without the garden 
 gates the sounds of violent controversy. 
 
 Pythias leaned forward to ascertain, if possible, 
 what the trouble was. He heard a rough, deep 
 voice shout insolent taunts. These were always fol- 
 lowed by a chorus of derisive epithets. 
 
 Arria, in great distress, begged him to discover 
 who had chosen the quiet spot before her home for 
 challenges and the measuring of swords. 
 
A FRIEND'S STRONG ARM 181 
 
 But before he had chance to step outside the 
 gate, Lucullus, panting and disheveled, appeared be- 
 fore him. 
 
 " My master craves your indulgence for his per- 
 sistent intrusion upon your happy hours, but in try- 
 ing to leave this dwelling, on his way to the Senate 
 he found that Dionysius had forestalled him by 
 placing outside the walls, as guard, a band of ruf- 
 fians headed by Procles. iWith drawn swords and 
 shields brandishing in air, do they seek to prevent 
 my master from reaching the Senate in time to offer 
 protest to this crowning. So he bade me hasten to 
 you and tell you of his plight." 
 
 "Where is he, Lucullus?" demanded Pythias, 
 driving his helmet far down upon his brow. 
 
 "Hark! From here can you hear the imper- 
 tinent threats of the hired minions of Dionysius. 
 Right outside yonder gates is he detained at the 
 sword's point." 
 
 With a muttered oath that boded ill for the hire- 
 lings, Pythias seized from an attendant the latter's 
 sword and started down the pathway. Midway in 
 his flight he was pursued by Calanthe who besought 
 him earnestly to beware the violence of the men in 
 the employ of his bitterest enemy. 
 
 u Do not delay me, sweet," he implored and 
 shook loose her clinging arms. " Each moment that 
 is lost diminishes Damon's chances of reaching the 
 Senate in time." 
 
1 82 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " I will accompany you, then," she declared ob- 
 stinately. " I cannot stay this side the wall to listen 
 to menacing sounds, not knowing how you fare." 
 
 Pythias dashed ahead and sought the main en- 
 trance of the dwelling. Once outside he ran to 
 where he saw the band of ruffians threatening his 
 friend. With sword raised in defiance he bore down 
 upon them. 
 
 " Hold, ye cowards ! " he shouted in ringing scorn 
 and plunged into their midst like some fury sent by 
 the gods. " Why, Procles, what game is this you 
 play? Are you not ashamed to rush upon a single 
 man, in coward numbers? Bah, I have seen you 
 do good work in battle time and so I took you for 
 a soldier. Fie upon you ! " 
 
 " They are orders to be obeyed," was the sullen 
 answer. " It has been decreed that this man be 
 kept from the Senate for the day and we have 
 kept him." 
 
 11 Nay, be not so calm in your assurance," warned 
 Pythias grimly. " Not yet have you kept my friend, 
 a Senator, from his rightful seat in the Senate house, 
 nor will you. You know well I am not given to 
 empty threats. You also know the strength of my 
 right arm and the clean cut it makes when my lifted 
 sword descends. And, by the gods, I swear that 
 unless you and your band of scoundrels stand back, 
 and give Damon free passage, will I hew down as 
 many as I may, before I am overwhelmed! " 
 
A FRIEND'S STRONG ARM 183 
 
 The group broke into sullen mutterings and half- 
 affrighted, half abashed, fell back a few paces to 
 wait the decision of their leader. 
 
 " I know the meagre sum that Dionysius prom- 
 ised you, when the errand was arranged for," ven- 
 tured Pythias cautiously, as he saw them confer 
 among themselves. " He does not pay well in pro- 
 portion to the dastardliness of his missions. So 
 look for an increase in your pockets if you fall back 
 without another attempt to prevent Damon's anx- 
 ious haste.' 7 
 
 " Because you are a warrior like ourselves, will 
 we observe your wishes," growled Procles, wonder- 
 ing what his fate would be when Dionysius found 
 out his treachery. 
 
 " Amend your statement, my friend," said Pythias 
 with smiling sarcasm. " Because I am a warrior 
 who can plate your fingers with gold, instead of 
 silver, is what you meant to say. Well, here it is." 
 
 He cast a small, soft leathern pouch upon the 
 ground at the feet of Procles and turned to speed 
 Damon on his way. The older man grasped his 
 hand in fervent grip, while tears suffused his eyes. 
 
 " Thanks to you, my gallant soldier and fast 
 friend, I am safe and free to proceed in my poor 
 attempt to halt this monster ere he complete the 
 ruination of our beloved city, our fickle Syracuse! 
 Now go you again to your sweet maid's side." 
 
 Calanthe ran forward, and, in deep remorse, 
 
1 84 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 thrust her little hands into the sincere grasp of 
 Pythias' friend. His noble face was lined with the 
 cares that were being thrust, so unceasingly, upon 
 him. In her heart a great pity stirred. Pythias, 
 delighted to see her capitulate so completely, drew 
 her again to his side. 
 
 " Now must Damon hasten to the Senate, dear 
 one; may the gods watch over his path, and grant 
 that he may quell the tyrant who sought so basely 
 to humiliate me and now seeks to make us all slaves, 
 under his iron hand." 
 
 Together they watched him descend the hill. At 
 last, a mere moving speck, they saw him disappear 
 between the huge pillars of the senate house. 
 
 Philistius sprang from his bench as the irate Sen- 
 ator, his locks disarranged, his breath coming in 
 quick, short gasps, dashed into the senate room and 
 raised an enraged, protesting arm. 
 
 " Who is't breaks in so rudely to disturb our grave 
 deliberations?" he thundered. 
 
 Damon halted before the president's seat and 
 looked upon him with scorn. 
 
 " Who is it? " he echoed. " Why, a Senator, my 
 good Philistius. None but a Senator. But one who 
 has so many biting questions with which to ply you 
 that methinks, before your tongue has answered 
 them all, must it call for water to ease its parched 
 surfaces! " 
 
 " Seat yourself and wait until the important busi- 
 
A FRIEND'S STRONG ARM 185 
 
 ness of the day be finished," commanded Philistius 
 angrily. 
 
 "That I will not!" exclaimed Damon, moving 
 still a step nearer. " What strange times have we 
 fallen upon that, in the open streets, nay at the very 
 doors of a friend's dwelling, have I encountered 
 soldiers and satellites with brandished swords, at- 
 tempting to obstruct my way hither? Whose mouth 
 in this assembly here gave privilege to a ruffian 
 soldier, that he dare hold a pointed weapon to my 
 throat and threaten boldly to bathe it in my blood, 
 should I protest? Answer me that, O Philistius, 
 and we will have done with the first question." 
 
 Disregarding Damon's burning rage and his dra- 
 matic interrogation, Philistius apologetically ad- 
 dressed the Senate. 
 
 " Let not this rash man, with his unbridled tongue, 
 disturb the grave consideration with which we were 
 discussing the " 
 
 With a savage gesture, Damon wheeled upon his 
 fellow-Senators. 
 
 " Aye, that is what he will do ! It is for that 
 that he has fled from the wedding festivities of his 
 dearest friend and been accosted by a band of hired 
 scoundrels, upon the public streets. It is for that, 
 that he will talk until the breath that fills his lungs 
 shall be exhausted." 
 
 From a corner of the third bench, a ponderous 
 figure, but lately arrived, rose and walked to the 
 
i86 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 front of the senate chamber. He was greeted with 
 much acclaim. Assuming a still more central posi- 
 tion, he coolly pushed to one side the imposing 
 figure of the protesting Senator, and opened his 
 mouth to speak. 
 
 " I do but require to know from you," he began 
 in oily accents, " what now would be our likely fate 
 had we not had to guide us a hand and head as 
 marvelously skillful as that of our Dionysius?" 
 
 A moment's pause. Waiting for the applause 
 that he so thoroughly expected, Damocles blinked 
 his small eyes and smiled encouragement with his 
 fat lips. Damon took advantage of the silence. 
 
 "What fate, you ask, O unctuous pessimist? 
 Well, here's your answer. The fate of freemen, 
 in the full exercise of all a freeman's rights. Free 
 to walk unmolested in the streets. Free to speak 
 and act in our councils. Free to cast to earth a 
 man who dares declare himself a " 
 
 Philistius stepped down from the president's chair 
 and raised his arms in supplication. 
 
 " I do entreat you, Senators," he petitioned, try- 
 ing to drown the excited tones of the speaker, " to 
 protect me from this scolding damagogue." 
 
 Damon whirled upon him in mighty wrath. His 
 right arm raised, with clenched- fist, seemed about to 
 descend upon his maligning chief. 
 
 " Demagogue! " he cried hoarsely. ' Who was 
 the demagogue, who, at my challenge, was denounced 
 
A FRIEND'S STRONG ARM 187, 
 
 silenced by this same Senate? When you have 
 once begun the list of accusations, follow it to its 
 end and rest assured that you, and not myself, 
 will suffer most before 'tis done." 
 
 Damocles, in half-drowsy protest, stepped be- 
 tween. 
 
 " Silence, Damon, silence ! " he reprimanded. 
 " Let the council use its privilege.' 1 
 
 At sound of the whining voice that strove so hard 
 to be sonorous, Damon bent low, in mock humility. 
 
 " Who bids me silence? " he questioned with cut- 
 ting sarcasm. " Ah! 'Tis none other than Damo- 
 cles ! The pliant willow Damocles ! The pro- 
 ficient parasite Damocles ! The fawning fool 
 Damocles! What is it that you dare propose? 
 That I be silent and listen to your words of wisdom? 
 (Very well, that much will I grant you. I shall be 
 silent as the tomb for a limited time. Proceed." 
 
 Damon took his seat. His right arm rested 
 lightly upon his knee. His left, concealed beneath 
 the folds of his crimson-bordered white toga, 
 guarded carefully its burden. 
 
A' 
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 FROM GLADNESS INTO GLOOM 
 
 A ND these are impertinent and strangely 
 fashioned pansies. Upon each velvety 
 bloom there is concealed a saucy face 
 that is if you look with the eye of understanding. 
 And these are violets, brought first from Parina, 
 which is the city of their origin. And these lilies 
 which do contain in their tiny bells a perfume that 
 delights the nostrils, and these " 
 
 Pythias gazed over his shoulder toward the city. 
 His eyes were troubled, his lips compressed in dread 
 suspense. 
 
 " You do not listen," objected Calanthe with 
 petulance. " Did not Damon bid me tell you of all 
 my favorite plants and flowers? And when I do, 
 you reward me with an unseeing gaze and a mind 
 that wanders." 
 
 " Ah, dear one, if you could know how I fear for 
 Damon's safety. Those men who are plotting so 
 vilely against our fair city, with no thought save 
 for their secret "gain, will stop at nothing to achieve 
 their ambitions. Damon will oppose them and 
 
 he took my sword ! " 
 
 188 
 
FROM GLADNESS INTO GLOOM 189 
 
 Calanthe felt him tremble under her loving clasp. 
 She leaned her head against his shoulder and sought 
 to comfort him. 
 
 " I was amazed that you saw fit to give it to him," 
 she said gently. " Why did you not remain firm in 
 your refusal? " 
 
 " He promised me that he would do naught in 
 passion and his promise is more binding than the 
 solemn oaths of ten men ! " 
 
 He clapped his hands suddenly. A slave stand- 
 ing in a grove nearby obeyed the summons. 
 
 " Haste you to the senate house as fast as feet 
 can fly and bring me word of Damon. It is now 
 a full ten minutes since I dispatched a messenger 
 and he has not returned. Bring news I Whether 
 it be bad or ill. I must have news ! " 
 
 The man did not wait for the final words. His 
 body was already a brownish blur upon the road- 
 way. 
 
 4 Will you hear more of flowers?" pleaded Ca.- 
 lanthe, desolate in her failure to amuse him. 
 
 " I will hear of one flower, dear. Never will I 
 close my ears to news of you, my own true flower. 
 What is't that you resemble, sweet? A moss rose- 
 bud, or a dainty bluebell? In my eyes shall you al- 
 ways be a very garland of blossoms, with every 
 beauty of each and the perfume of them all. Ah, 
 I fear 'tis a sorry bridal day for you, my loved one. 
 It is an unkind fate that " 
 
190 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 A messenger, whose brow dripped sweat as he 
 pushed back his matted locks, ran through the trees 
 and knelt before the pair. Pythias shook him im- 
 patiently. 
 
 "What is the delay? Speak, fool! What is 
 your message? " 
 
 " I have none," panted the slave. " When I ap- 
 proached the senate house those on guard recog- 
 nized that I belonged to you, O master, and drove 
 me hence at the point of daggers drawn from their 
 wide belts ! " 
 
 "And you heard?" 
 
 " I heard naught but a hum of conversation within 
 the walls. Only once a shout arose and it was 
 quickly stifled." 
 
 " A shout? " Pythias questioned him in an agony 
 of doubt. " Was it Damon's voice that shouted? " 
 
 " I do not know, my lord. It would require a 
 closer knowledge of his voice, to say if it were his 
 or no." 
 
 "What did you see?" 
 
 " I saw nothing. Not one has entered or left 
 the Senate since I arrived. But on every step does 
 a soldier stand and guard, as if in expectation of 
 trouble." 
 
 " And naught else that your eye rested on, struck 
 you as peculiar? Neither on the way there, nor 
 on the homeward trip? " 
 
 " O my master, I had almost forgot in my dis- 
 
FROM GLADNESS INTO GLOOM 191 
 
 appointment at returning empty-handed. As I was 
 driven from the senate steps, the hangings conceal- 
 ing the wide portal of a dwelling opposite, were 
 pulled aside and I did witness, sitting at a table sur- 
 rounded by his friends, Dionysius, splendid in robes 
 of state. He was smiling broadly at the sallies of 
 his satellites and " 
 
 "Ah I" Pythias breathed more freely. "Then 
 Dionysius is not within the senate house? That 
 is good news, even if you have brought no 
 other." 
 
 The slave rose and fell back to await further 
 summons. Arria came from the house and moved 
 toward them, her face betraying her unhappiness. 
 
 " The hour has arrived. The maids are waiting 
 with arms piled high with blossoms plucked to strew 
 upon your path. The solemn wedding feast is 
 awaiting you and the guests are assembled and eag- 
 erly demand your coming. Come, my daughter. 
 Once more before you leave your mother's house let 
 her enfold you in her arms and kiss your brow, as 
 was her wont when she held you, a rosy infant, to 
 her breast." 
 
 Calanthe left her lover's side and twined her arms 
 lovingly about her adored parent. 
 
 " Do not speak as if I were to leave you and go 
 to a far distant place, my mother. Always will a 
 great portion of my heart be yours. In years to 
 come, if I have children of my own, I will but wish 
 
192 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 that they may love me with one half the tenderness 
 I feel for you." 
 
 Arria folded her closely to her breast and pressed 
 a long, solemn kiss upon the snowy brow. 
 
 " Now we will proceed to the feast," she an- 
 nounced. " See, Calanthe? Here come your 
 maids. Are they not beautiful, garbed in their shin- 
 ing bridal robes and with their fair young arms so 
 choked with perfumed blossoms? Art prepared to 
 start?" 
 
 4 Yea," murmured the little bride, extending a 
 timid hand to her lord. 
 
 " Attend a moment," he requested, a hint of 
 apology in the words. " I am sore distressed. If 
 we can wait but a moment more, the second mes- 
 senger will be here with word of Damon. Then 
 will I go to the feast with lighter heart. If it were 
 possible, I would postpone the feast an hour longer 
 so that he could be present" 
 
 " We cannot delay even for a moment," declared 
 Calanthe, racked with a return of jealousy. 
 " Would you have the freshly culled flowers wither, 
 so that our pathway will be strewn with dead petals ? 
 An ill omen e'en before the festival. Come, join 
 your hand to mine, my Pythias. The maids ap- 
 proach." 
 
 "I cannot!" 
 
 "Cannot?" Calanthe flared under the finality in 
 his voice. " When your bride bids you to the feast, 
 
FROM GLADNESS INTO GLOOM 193 
 
 you lag behind with eyes fastened on the dusty city 
 and languish for word of a friend?'* 
 
 " Be patient but a moment longer, sweet. The 
 messenger must return at any instant. You would 
 not have me plight my troth with mind upset and 
 aching heart? Do not be harsh, my beloved. Just 
 a moment longer! " 
 
 " Speak to him, mother," implored the girl, try- 
 ing her best to choke back angry tears. " Tell him 
 that I will not be flaunted before my friends. Why, 
 even my maids will smile me to scorn if I am made 
 sit back to welcome a slave who will tell if Damon is 
 without, or within, or vanished from the scene ! " 
 
 " I can understand his state of mind," remon- 
 strated her mother. " He fears a dastardly deed 
 from which he could protect his friend were he there 
 beside him." 
 
 " But he is not beside him, nor could he be." Ca- 
 lanthe's tones rose shrill and hysterical. " Has he 
 not told me, often, that a soldier may not lift his 
 helmet in the senate house. What good will be ac- 
 complished by his fixed watching from a hill?" 
 
 " I think it would be wiser to proceed and have 
 the festival over," acknowledged Arria, reluctantly. 
 "It is of such short duration. Then can he go to 
 procure news himself." 
 
 Standing where he could obtain the best view of 
 the winding road, Pythias, with anxious brow, kept 
 a strained watch upon the approach. 
 
194 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Calanthe, with crimson cheeks and flashing eyes, 
 ran to his side and tapped him sharply on the arm. 
 He started, suddenly, from his troubled revery. 
 And when he saw her white robed figure close beside 
 him stretched out a tender arm and sought to draw 
 her to him. 
 
 "Well?" she questioned with strange feverish- 
 ness. 
 
 " A moment longer," he begged. 
 
 She threw back her head and laughed. A laugh 
 that was not good to hear and illsuited to her dainty 
 beauty. 
 
 " Come now or not at all ! " she challenged 
 resolutely, her eyes alight with a harsh brilliancy. 
 
 Pythias stared as if unhearing. He seized her 
 elbows and looked deep into her hostile eyes. 
 
 " Why, Calanthe, dearest," he murmured, hurt 
 and broken. " You did not mean to " 
 
 " I have not uttered a word that I did not mean 
 from the depths of my heart," she interrupted defi- 
 antly. " Do not waste breath upon a useless repeti- 
 tion of my name, or in a string of endearing terms. 
 I have lost interest in words. If you would give me 
 proof of your love, do as I request. I would have 
 laughed in derision had anyone suggested to me, 
 ever, that I, Calanthe, would so far lose her maidenly 
 reserve as to beseech a man to drag her to her nup- 
 tial feast." 
 
 Pythias faced her sternly. 
 
FROM GLADNESS INTO GLOOM 195 
 
 " In a moment of possible tragedy," he accused 
 coldly, " you speak of your lightly wounded pride 
 and give me choice of flying to the feast, sick at 
 heart or not at all. Cannot your mind grasp the 
 horror of this thing? Think you that, I, who, I am 
 sure, have proved my adoration of you a hundred- 
 fold, will consent to give such sinful added proof? 
 For 'twould be but sinful to face the festive rites, 
 when my dear friend, surrounded by his enemies and 
 unprotected by my presence, may perish? You ask 
 that which I cannot do." 
 
 Calanthe's scarlet cheeks faded to a ghastly pallor. 
 Her lips parted as if to question, but no sound came. 
 Her rounded arms that had been clasped so proudly 
 to her breast, dropped, lifeless, at her sides, spilling 
 their burden of waxen lilies. She bent her head and 
 looked upon their spotlessness. 
 
 " I remember once I said that lilies were beau- 
 teous blooms for shrine or for tomb but not for 
 love. Not for love," she repeated in vague so- 
 liloquy. 
 
CHAPTER XY 
 A FREEMAN'S LEGACY 
 
 A SINGLE ray of the bright, afternoon sun 
 shrank along the marble floor of the 
 senate house, now splashing into a bril- 
 liant pool of gold, now wavering and fading, gov- 
 erned by a blowing clump of foliage directly outside 
 the window by which it entered. 
 
 The cool breeze penetrated to the inner room 
 where excited statesmen welcomed it, and breathed 
 with renewed delight. 
 
 Philistius bent forward in his chair, kept a sharp 
 eye on the figure of Damon, silent and forbidding 
 in his corner of the bench. He noted the convul- 
 sive opening and closing of his hand, the fire that 
 darted from his eye as words in praise of Dionysius 
 fell from Damocles' lips. 
 
 " And so do we prove that 'twas he who gov- 
 erned our fair city, though we have feigned the gov- 
 erning, ourselves," declaimed the speaker, trem- 
 bling lest he should forget the words his master has 
 thrust in his mouth. 
 
 * This being so," interrupted Philistius sternly, 
 " who is so fit as he, in this extremity, to be the 
 
 196 
 
A FREEMAN'S LEGACY 197 
 
 single pillar on whose strength all power should 
 rest? What need has the state of our crowded and 
 contentious councils? And therefore, Senators 
 countrymen from henceforth I do submit that we 
 dissolve. That for the purpose of a better and a 
 wiser government and for the general welfare of 
 our great city we choose as king Dionysius our 
 natural ruler." 
 
 Damon bounded from the bench, his face flaming 
 to purple, the arteries swelling to ropelike promi- 
 nence on his temples. 
 
 "A king! A king!" he shouted. "Are your 
 ears sealed, O fathers, that you hear not? Or do 
 you hear and suffer your lips to be dumb ? A king ! 
 Know you what it means? " 
 
 From various points of the room came Voices 
 raised in approbation. 
 
 " I do approve," said one. 
 
 " And I." 
 
 "And so do I," declared a third. 
 
 Damocles turned to the amazed Damon wearing 
 a look of smug gratification that seemed designed 
 for his rippling jowls, so well he wore it. 
 
 " All are content," he remarked. 
 
 Damon strode indignantly to the steps that led 
 to the president's chair. 
 
 "All? All are content? A nation's right be- 
 trayed and none dares open his mouth to shout, 
 'Nay, I am not content I 7 Content? Mark well 
 
198 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 my form, for here am I, a Senator, and from the 
 depths of my being do I cry to the echo of the 
 vaulted heavens : * Slaves ! Parricides ! Assassins, 
 all ! ' I blush to look around and think that once 
 I called you men. What are your thoughts that 
 with your own free, willing hands you tie a stone 
 each to his brother's neck and drown like dogs, in 
 the tide of this disgrace! What strange hellborn 
 power, working for evil, in your minds, has per- 
 suaded you to dig your own dark graves and creep 
 into them to die, while common cutthroats stand 
 above and moisten the earth that covers you with 
 the blood of your children and their children?" 
 
 " I have not sanctioned it," a voice, afraid of 
 its own sound upon the air, drifted to the fore. 
 
 " Nor I ! ? ' 
 
 " Nor have I ! " the refrain gained slightly in the 
 power of repetition. 
 
 Damon stretched out his hand in gratitude. 
 
 " For these few voices, thanks. But, alas, they 
 sound too lonely. Oh, open up your hearts, my 
 brothers! Think! Think! There you sit, inani- 
 mate as if you, yourselves, were of one material with 
 the benches on which you crouch ! See ! I will not 
 chide nor rail, nor curse you. With blinded eyes 
 and weak words, with heart shattered by this fell 
 blow, do I implore you. If I were gifted with a 
 flow of words that could paint pictures for your eyes 
 to gaze upon, would I speak of our fathers' sacred 
 
A FREEMAN'S LEGACY 199 
 
 images; of old men, our grandsires; of affrighted 
 mothers, holding forth, in shaking hands, the squirm- 
 ing bodies of their innocent infants, whom you would 
 make slaves. But I am not blessed with eloquence. 
 My tongue makes but a poor attempt to put in 
 gilded dress the agonies of my heart. So do I 
 but entreat you to think once again." 
 
 Philistius rose from his chair and descended the 
 steps. His lips broadened into a grin of ridicule. 
 With stately step he found his way to the main en- 
 trance of the senate house. There he raised an 
 arm, in signal, to one who was standing without. 
 
 The eyes of all the Senators were fastened on him, 
 as he remained there, motionless. Curiosity ran 
 riot. A subtle whispering rustled on the air. 
 Damon, on the steps, bent forward in tense concen- 
 tration, held the folds of his toga more closely to 
 his body. His eyes burned into those of his hostile 
 brothers. 
 
 Suddenly, there was a ringing shout of triumph 
 from the guards outside. Philistius extended his 
 hand, grasped one stretched out to meet it, and 
 turning, led Dionysius to the center of the senate 
 chamber ! Dionysius, whose gorgeous robes of 
 state, donned to lend regal atmosphere, trailed over 
 the marble blocks and weighted his squat shoulders. 
 
 Left, unsupported, the cynosure of eyes both 
 friendly and inimical, he raised a deprecatory hand 
 in answer to the cheering. 
 
200 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " Is this indeed the vote? " his first words, soft, 
 with unbelief well-feigned, inflamed Damon to 
 frenzy ! 
 
 4 There is no vote ! " he exclaimed viglently. 
 " Philistius, keep your seat! Keep in your places, 
 Senators 1 " 
 
 Seemingly oblivious to the interruption, Diony- 
 sius spoke again. 
 
 " I ask, is this the vote? " 
 
 " Oh, gracious liege and sovereign, it is indeed 
 the vote, echoed from every throat here, in rever- 
 ential acknowledgment of your dominion." Philis- 
 tius voiced the lie with glib serenity. 
 
 Damon forced his way through the group of ad- 
 miring satellites. He stood glaring fiercely into the 
 sunken eyes of the newly proclaimed king. 
 
 " I say it is not the vote ! " he ground out through 
 his tightly clamped teeth. " Think you that by 
 criminal process you can build a throne in this, our 
 senate house? " 
 
 " In my capacity as head and organ of the city 
 council I do asseverate it is the vote. All hail, then, 
 Dionysius, King of Syracuse, all hail! " 
 
 Philistius dropped in servile worship. With one 
 accord the senators, save those few whose faint dis- 
 senting voices had been submerged, and Damon, 
 bent the knee. 
 
 Dionysius, with superbly simulated self-abase- 
 ment, mounted the steps of the chair of state, his 
 
A FREEMAN'S LEGACY 201 
 
 kingly mantle of royal purple splashed with gold, 
 flowing over the steps, from the topmost one to 
 the base. Having attained the summit, he leaned 
 his weight upon the president's table and raised a 
 hand in benediction. 
 
 Damon, aghast at the triumph of the conspiracy, 
 stared, wild-eyed and raving. 
 
 " My country ! Oh, my ruined, pillaged coun- 
 try." 
 
 Dionysius addressed his subjects: 
 
 " That we may have fitting quiet and solemnity 
 in which to assume, with dignity, our garb of power, 
 we do now take our first right ; and order from this, 
 that was the senate house, the rash and tumultuous 
 men who would still tamper with the city's peace. 
 We have no objection to rivalry that has weight, 
 but this, the vain contentious variety, is preposterous, 
 and vexing! " 
 
 With a low, wild cry, Damon bounded up the 
 steps. He thrust his rage-distorted face so close to 
 the cold cynical eyes, that his hot breath seared the 
 paleness of Dionysius' cheek. 
 
 "There is no rivalry between us!" he hissed, 
 pressing still closer. " Only one move is left by 
 which to still forever your base ambitions. Know 
 you what it is? " 
 
 Cowed by the nearness of the man, Dionysius 
 sought support lest he fall backwards to the plat-- 
 form floor. 
 
202 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " Know you what it is? " reiterated Damon, fol- 
 lowing, inch by inch, as the other retreated. 
 
 "Away! Out of the Senate!" commanded the 
 king, his voice breaking with hysterical terror. 
 
 Damon's lips shrank back from his teeth in a 
 widening, ghastly smile. From his throat issued a 
 weirdly guttural chuckle. 
 
 " Know you what it is? " he repeated with mad- 
 dened persistency. 
 
 But now, his body, pressed against the shrinking 
 man, in calm, tenacious obstinacy, had forced him 
 to the extreme side of the platform where he clung 
 to the wall to save himself from the sheer drop to 
 the floor. 
 
 As if congealed where they stood, the Senators 
 looked upon the drama that was enacted. Not a 
 man but felt that his very breathing was a disturb- 
 ing element in the dead silence. 
 
 Damon, his forehead-band pushed from his head 
 and hanging by one whitening lock, his face purple 
 blotched, with insane rage, his eyes narrowed 
 to two fiery slits, in his head, thrust his feet forward 
 and pressed his knee against the thigh of his shrink- 
 ing enemy. 
 
 Dionysius suffocated by his nearness, his soul 
 quaking with guilty dread, threw his arms across 
 his face and cowered in his corner. They made 
 two striking, tragic spots the crimson and the 
 
A FREEMAN'S LEGACY 203 
 
 royal purple splashed with gold against the mar- 
 ble walls. 
 
 " Know you what it Is? " 
 
 Maddened by the dogged repetition and the 
 blood-curdling fate that it suggested, Dionysius 
 screamed a command: 
 
 " My guards ! My guards ! Here ! I " 
 
 " Know you what it is?" the phrase drilled the 
 craven brain. The new king swayed upon his 
 numbed feet. 
 
 " My guards! " he shrieked helplessly. 
 
 A chorus of hoarse shouts and the trampling of 
 many feet sounded from without. 
 
 The bronze doors of the senate house were swung 
 back until they struck the granite pillars with a 
 harsh and deafening clang. Procles and his soldiers 
 rushed over the threshold. 
 
 Blinking in the half-light, they stood without com- 
 prehending the situation. 
 
 "I proclaim him a traitor! Seize him!" yelled 
 Dionysius, with shrill impatience. 
 
 "Traitor, say you? Traitor! Well, then, be- 
 fore they seize this traitor, receive, O King, a free- 
 man's legacy! " 
 
 With a mighty wrench Damon tore loose his left 
 arm from its confining folds. The force of his 
 gesture ripped his toga from his shoulder. It 
 dropped to his hip, exposing his splendid chest and 
 
204 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 massive arm. In his clenched fist the glitter of a 
 short sword rent the gloom. 
 
 As the weapon was about to descend, Procles 
 bounded forward, and, with a flying leap, seized 
 the upraised wrist and bore it backward, wrenching 
 the arm in the socket and almost tearing the liga- 
 ments from their fastenings. 
 
 In the first agonizing pain, Damon whitened and 
 swayed as if to swoon. The voice of Dionysius 
 brought him back to consciousness. 
 
 " Behold this proud, assassinating demagogue ! " 
 he exclaimed; his bravery returned at seeing his as- 
 sailant in the grip of two strong men. " He whets 
 his dagger in philosophy, this pupil of the cutthroat 
 school! His last deed is done, however. For 
 here we do condemn him to a public death ; and from 
 his blood will we mix a rare cement to our mon- 
 archy!" 
 
 His white lips compressed in agonizing pain, his 
 face ashen, Damon flung back his retort: 
 
 " To one who never yet has wished to survive 
 his country, death is indeed a royal gift. Lead me 
 to the scaffold, sever my head from my suffering 
 body, yet will my dead lips move once again and, 
 gushing blood, form the word * Traitor ! ' 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 A LIFE FOR A LIFE! 
 
 THE wail of strange stringed instruments was 
 wafted from the interior of the house. 
 The maids laid upon the stone steps their 
 floral burdens, and gazed sadly to where Pythias 
 strove to bring back to reason their angered mistress. 
 
 " How extravagant are his promises, now that 
 she is deaf to them! " thought Eunice, and curled 
 her lips in unconscious sarcasm. " Methinks it is 
 the habit of men to appreciate that which they have 
 only when it has slipped so far from their posses- 
 sion that it requires mighty effort to bring it back. 
 Yea, that is the mold of men, mayhap of women, 
 too," she added, reluctant to credit the latter state- 
 ment's truth, however. 
 
 " I will attend her to her chamber,'* she an- 
 nounced, her angry eyes scorning the figure of 
 Pythias. 
 
 " It is not necessary," he rebuked sternly. " I 
 will bear her hither in my arms if she desires to go. 
 Do you wish me to place you on your couch, sweet? " 
 He bent and attempted to look into the eyes that 
 were turned from his. 
 
 205 
 
2o6 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " Can you not see that she is in no mood or con- 
 dition for questions?" exclaimed Eunice, appealing 
 to Arria for corroboration. "If you will let me 
 soothe her for a short time, then will she recover 
 her normal state and come into the garden, her rosy, 
 happy self once more." 
 
 " Calanthe, turn not your dear eyes from mine," 
 pleaded Pythias, piteously. " Am I grown so dis- 
 tasteful to your heart that you cannot bear to look 
 upon my features? See, I make promise to do all 
 that you desire. And on my knees, I'll beg for- 
 giveness for my obstinate refusals of a moment 
 
 since." 
 
 The white, forbidding face held no sign of yield- 
 ing. Arria touched her daughter's hand and 
 smoothed her soft cheek. 
 
 " There must be forgiveness granted when for- 
 giveness is sought," she advised gently. " Always 
 in the lives of man and woman do occasions arise 
 when the mantle of humility must envelop one or 
 the other. Remember that if its folds fall upon 
 your beloved to-day, and you refuse him absolution, 
 so will he turn a deaf ear, when on the morrow the 
 cloak enshroud you. Forgive and be forgiven, child. 
 Well learned, this formula will do much to bring 
 you everlasting happiness." 
 
 Eunice not daring to add to, or detract from, the 
 counsel given, looked on, filled with pity for her 
 sweet Calanthe, who had in one short day learned 
 
A LIFE FOR A LIFE! 207 
 
 so completely that e'en the brightest sunshine and 
 the bluest sky can be darkened by ungracious acts 
 and harsh words. 
 
 Pythias tightened his hold upon her in dread lest 
 she disregard her mother's admonition and dart 
 from his arms in anger. Her body, weak from men- 
 tal struggling and many tears, her mind cleared and 
 receptive, Calanthe lifted her white arms and 
 brought her lover's mouth down to her soft lips. 
 In a long, solemn kiss were all hard thoughts 
 brushed away, and smiles reigned where frowns and 
 deep lines had been. 
 
 "Will you proceed to the feast now?" asked 
 Pythias, anxious to prove on the instant how firm was 
 his purpose to please. 
 
 " First must I seek my chamber and repair the 
 ravages that this long waiting has put upon me." 
 Calanthe smiled as she made answer: " Now will 
 I keep you chafing with impatience, outside my door, 
 while I call out to you, ' Be not impatient, Pythias, 
 'tis but with a moment longer.' Come, Eunice, you 
 must smooth with perfumed cream the tracks that 
 frowns have left behind them; and bathe to their 
 accustomed brilliance my reddened eyes. I would 
 be as fair a bride as e'er trod bridal dance. Come 
 make me so, my Eunice." 
 
 Pythias watched her disappear through her 
 draped balcony. Then only did the dread thoughts 
 return. As if waking to the realization that he 
 
208 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 had been unfaithful to a solemn vow, he bounded to 
 the spot from which he could obtain a full view of 
 the road. Then, on the dusty whiteness, a dark 
 spot that flew over the ground drew nearer and 
 nearer. 
 
 Pythias pressed tense fingers to his throbbing tem- 
 ples. He could feel the terror in that bounding 
 figure. Before he knew the message that it brought, 
 his soul was plunged into an agony of despair, firm 
 in the knowledge that the worst had happened. 
 
 Nearer and nearer flew the dark spot. The short 
 brown tunic and swarthy legs could now be distin- 
 guished. Dreading the moment when the actual 
 words would fall upon his apprehensive ears, 
 Pythias stood as if turned to stone, his eyes strain- 
 ing in their sockets, his lips dry and burning, parted 
 by short, gasping breaths. 
 
 A moment longer! The man who had been the 
 spot dashed through the trees and fell flat, his arms 
 and legs outspread, before the young general. It 
 was Lucullus! His black face blotched where dust 
 had caked in the sweat that poured from his brow. 
 His eyeballs bloodshot, his beady eyes rolling in an 
 agony of terror, he sought to deliver his message. 
 The lips moved, the tongue shot out from between 
 the parched lips, but all that was audible were rasp- 
 ing sounds that rattled drily and then ceased. 
 
 "Damon? Your master? What what " 
 
 Lucullus rolled laboriously to his side. He at- 
 

Universal Film Manufacturing Co. 
 
 "GO I MUST ! MY FRIEND IS IN DANGER." 
 
A LIFE FOR A LIFE! 209 
 
 tempted to prop his aching body on one elbow and 
 thus rise, but strength had deserted his limbs. 
 Pythias slipped his hands under the slave's armpits 
 and lifted him, allowing him to rest his weight 
 against his own body. 
 
 " Now speak! Every moment wasted may mean 
 much to him. Tell me briefly. Tell me what " 
 
 " O my lord," panted Lucullus, " I have brought 
 news that will rend your heart in two. And when 
 I have delivered it, then do I wish for naught but 
 to die. My master, my worshiped master, is is 
 condemned to public death. But an hour they have 
 given him before he mounts the scaffolding and 
 bends his noble head to the murderous ax." 
 
 " Death ! Public death 1 Condemned to 
 death ! " Pythias muttered the words unintelligi- 
 bly. Then suddenly becoming lucid, " For what? 
 By whom?" 
 
 " For assaulting Dionysius when he had just been 
 declared king. He had a sword. He rarely car- 
 ries one. And this was not his own. With the 
 weapon he sought to assassinate the sovereign, but 
 before he could accomplish it, was his sword-arm 
 half torn from its socket and he was taken prisoner. 
 O my lord, my master's dearest friend, can you not 
 do something to prevent this awful thing? " 
 
 The slave sank again to the ground, his black 
 body torn with sobs. He kissed the feet of Pythias 
 and besought him to hasten to the city. Then, half 
 
210 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 dead from lack of food and over-straining, stag- 
 gered to his feet and pointed a shaking hand toward 
 the rooftops, glistening in the sun. 
 
 Pythias passed his dry palms over his burning 
 forehead and following the pointed finger, could 
 discern a slow procession moving from the senate 
 house. It was headed by soldiers bearing spears, 
 whose sharpened points caught the rays of the sun 
 and glistened, at that great distance, like diamonds 
 rolling in the sand. 
 
 In the center of these dazzling spear ends, he 
 could detect a spot of white and crimson, and shin- 
 ing above it a whitened head. A dry sob shook his 
 huge frame. He stretched his arms in piteous sup- 
 plication toward the city, and, without a backward 
 glance, rushed from the grove, Lucullus following 
 at his heels. 
 
 All was quiet in Calanthe's garden. A mocking 
 bird's taunting call quivered through the trees. A 
 sudden breeze borne upward from the sapphire 
 waters of the Mediterranean stirred the flower beds 
 and filled the air with an intoxicating riot of per- 
 fume. From the temple the wailing of the stringed 
 instruments was wafted to the gardens. The light 
 laughter of maidens who pelted each other with 
 roses, rang out with gay insistence. 
 
 Calanthe, radiant in her freshened robes, crept 
 slyly from the portal. It was her intention to steal 
 upon her lover, unsuspecting, and throw herself into 
 
A LIFE FOR A LIFE! 211 
 
 his eager arms. She glanced about, cautiously. 
 His form was nowhere visible. Oh ! he was in hid- 
 ing from her! 'Twas too bad he had forestalled 
 her. 
 
 She darted lightly from corner to corner, peer- 
 ing behind huge tree trunks, stooping to part the 
 spreading branches of flowering bushes. Not a ves- 
 tige of his tunic or bright armor was to be seen. 
 
 Petulant at his success in eluding her, she called 
 his name : 
 
 " Pythias ! Come from your place of hiding. I 
 am weary of searching. Pythias! Dear one! 
 Disclose yourself." 
 
 The mocking bird's jeering call floated again on 
 the breeze then all was stillness. 
 
 In abrupt, petrifying fear, Calanthe turned her 
 eyes toward the city. Far down the road, fleeing 
 as if from death, instead of toward it, were two 
 figures and one was blond of curls, with stalwart 
 form clad in polished armor. 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 LOST! 
 
 DOWN in the public square, the crowds that 
 had assembled in the Circus at dawn of 
 that same day, now satiated with games 
 and the feasting and drinking that followed, again 
 surged into the streets. Their dulled senses, anxious 
 for sleep but a moment before, had been whipped 
 to a new, keen excitement. 
 
 The news spread as will a tongue of flame upon 
 a sea of oil. Those who had buried themselves 
 behind barred doors and shuttered windows were 
 roused by considerate neighbors, who kn,ew how 
 acute would be their disappointment were they to 
 miss this marvelous event. 
 
 Along the streets, each by-way tributary adding 
 its small stream to the flood of humanity in the main 
 squares, poured the frenzied mob, now solemnly 
 silent, now rumbling low, whether in protest or ap- 
 probation, no one could determine. 
 
 In the center of the hollow square of soldiers, 
 who carried their spears in readiness to defend, 
 walked Damon. From his fine shoulders his toga 
 
 212 
 
LOST! 213 
 
 hung in tatters. His flesh so fair in contrast to the 
 sunbaked skins of warriors, showed milkwhite 
 against the crimson of his torn mantle. His head 
 well up and eyes defiant, though not bold, conveyed 
 to the excited crowd that here was no craven no 
 trembling coward was about to find his fate. The 
 spirit of a brave man mixed with the gravity of a 
 philosopher and the keen intelligence of a states- 
 man was to be sacrificed on the block. 
 
 As the people grew accustomed to the thought, 
 there arose muffled threats and violent denuncia- 
 tions. These were quickly snuffed out, however, 
 by an impressive spear point, or a well-aimed kick 
 from a soldier's metal-tipped sandal. 
 
 When the procession had advanced halfway, a 
 group of men issued from the main portal of the 
 senate house and, posed upon the steps, presented a 
 strange, gorgeous note on the background of this 
 grim tragedy. 
 
 Dionysius, attended by his satellites, his crown 
 upon his brow, gratified to think that his first act 
 of royal authority was so spectacular in character, 
 looked upon the scene in search of his servants to 
 bear him, in his chair, to the spot of execution. 
 
 Damocles was sent to summon the negligent 
 slaves. As his flat feet descended, ponderously, 
 upon each successive step, he mused upon the hap- 
 penings of the day. 
 
 He had played a tedious, uncomplaining part in 
 
214 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 each event that had brought Dionysius a step nearer 
 to the throne. 'In the crowning moment to-day, 
 in the senate house, had he not acted as target for 
 the violence of this same Damon, upon having pro- 
 posed the kingly candidate? It was by the mercy 
 of the gods that that audacious dagger had not been 
 drawn at his plump throat. Yes, he had been a 
 victim of insult and insinuation, but now his assail- 
 ant was on his way to the headsman's block. He 
 had met his fate. There was some satisfaction in 
 that. Damocles' step was lighter at the thought, 
 but only a few paces further on, it again grew 
 weighty. Another thought had come. What, 
 after all this service, was going to be his share? 
 When he had made plaintive request for reward, 
 before this, the answer had always been " Wait until 
 'tis accomplished." 
 
 Well, it had been accomplished. And yet here 
 was he doing errands in the same manner, not one 
 bit elevated from his. former position of super-page. 
 Damocles halted in his path and glanced back over 
 his shoulder. His small eyes, blazing with sudden 
 resentment, sought the royal purple spot that be- 
 trayed the arch-conspirator. 
 
 There came to him, in all its significance, the 
 certain knowledge, that never, promises or no, 
 would. he get reward of any sort. His labors had 
 been obtained, under false pretense and spurious 
 
LOST! 215 
 
 promises. Angry humiliation overwhelmed him, 
 and, in deep-dyed revenge upon his betrayer, Damo- 
 cles went to his dwelling and did not seek for the 
 chair-bearers of the king! 
 
 Before it turned into the adjoining square, the 
 procession halted again to give the soldiers a chance 
 to clear the choked thoroughfares. 
 
 Damon's eyes, unseeing, scanned the horizon. 
 First he gazed toward Lutania, where he pictured 
 his beautiful summer home nestling in its verdant 
 setting. He could imagine, so easily, his wife and 
 child, under the blossoming orange trees. His 
 wife ! His child ! 
 
 Tears, unbidden, sprang to his eyes. He bent his 
 head in shame. A man he was. And men, with 
 right graven upon their hearts, go to their deaths 
 uncomplaining. His vision cleared, he gazed aloft, 
 to the nearest hill. There in the white marble 
 temple, heavy with the scent of blossoms, was 
 Pythias, his beloved friend, joined in wedlock to his 
 sweet Calanthe. There would he have been, a happy 
 spectator, if 
 
 A wild shout rang out upon the air. The crowd 
 parted as if cloven by a mighty sword. Coming 
 toward him, with arms outstretched, was Pythias! 
 AndMirectly behind shone the dark face of Lucullus. 
 His friend and his adoring slave both come to 
 comfort his last hour. 
 
2i6 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Pythias attempted to rush into his eager arms. 
 On the instant, the two first soldiers crossed their 
 long spears and formed a barrier to his progress. 
 
Universal Film Manufacturing Co, 
 
 "MY MASTER IS CONDEMNED TO PUBLIC DEATH." 
 
Universal Film Manufacturing Co, 
 
 "OH, HE WILL NEVER COME BACK!' 
 
CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 THE VOW 
 
 66 TT MUST speak to him! I will speak to 
 him." 
 
 JL The attendant guard was adamant. 
 
 " O Damon ! My Damon ! Dearly beloved 
 friend, doom and death in one short hour! They 
 cannot butcher you before we have talked together. 
 Even a criminal is allowed to tell his dying wish to 
 a friend. Stand aside ! Here, Procles ! Bid these 
 men allow me to embrace my friend. Ah ! " 
 
 The barrier removed, Pythias dashed into the hol- 
 low square and folded Damon in his strong young 
 arms. 
 
 "What can be done? Speak quickly, that I may 
 do all that lies in my poor power. Will Diony- 
 sius ?" 
 
 ' With Dionysius naught is of avail," said Da- 
 mon bitterly. " He has denied me but a few hours' 
 respite that my wife and child may journey from our 
 country home and bid me farewell ! " 
 
 " He has forbidden that?" 
 
 ' Yea, 'twas the only request I made, and as 
 quickly as 'twas asked, so quickly was't denied." 
 
 217 
 
2i 8 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " And you would see them to bid them farewell? " 
 asked Pythias earnestly. " It is the most important 
 of your last desires? " 
 
 Damon gripped his friend's*hand in the clasp of 
 steel. His eyes, for the first time, brimmed over 
 and tears rained down his livid cheeks. 
 
 " If my life were measured by destiny, into a 
 thousand years of happiness, yet would I give every 
 minute of that thousand years for just one moment, 
 now, in which I could press my wife and son to my 
 heart ! Just to have kissed them my sweet wife 
 and my adored son." 
 
 Pythias gave him an earnest glance. It held out 
 promise, promise of hope. 
 
 " Lead me to Dionysius, Procles. I mean unto 
 the king since that is now his name. Lead me unto 
 the king; I have a request to make. Ah! Here he 
 comes, borne in his chair, flanked by his satellites 
 all save Damocles. Halt him on his way ! " 
 
 In the center of the densely crowded roadway, 
 where the people were torn between their desire to 
 view the new king and their curiosity about the 
 doomed Senator, Pythias threw himself upon his 
 knees. 
 
 " Behold me, Dionysius, at your feet," he cried 
 in great distress. "Hear me! I have won many 
 battles for you, I shall win many more before my 
 day of usefulness is over. Also, I do not wish for 
 glory. If there is any, I will bestow it gladly on 
 
THE VOW 219 
 
 your shoulders. This is my one prayer: Grant 
 that Damon journey to his summer home to take 
 leave of his sweet wife and child. 
 
 "Nay! " as he saw the hand raised in cold de- 
 nial. " Dost think that I would ask it if I were not 
 prepared to give security for his return? I am pre- 
 pared. Permit that he do this and put me in chains, 
 in his stead. Plunge me into his dungeon, a pledge 
 for his return. If you do this, may the gods build 
 up your greatness as high as their own heavens! " 
 
 Dionysius smiled in amused contempt. 
 
 " What is the cause of all this agitation and talk 
 of sacrifice and such? Is he your brother, this Da- 
 mon?" 
 
 Dionysius motioned to have Damon brought to 
 him. The doomed man, expecting nothing save the 
 harsh treatment he had already been accorded, 
 looked with deep hatred upon the seated king. 
 
 " If I should grant this, your friend's request," 
 Dionysius questioned him, " are you quite sure that 
 you would come and ransom him at sunset? " 
 
 A radiance overspread the features of Damon. 
 He advanced his left foot, placed his left hand upon 
 his left breast and raised his closed right hand as if 
 about to strike a downward blow. 
 
 " I do solemnly swear I will return at the ap- 
 pointed hour," he recited slowly and with imposing 
 gravity. 
 
 " Then 'tis granted," announced Dionysius. 
 
220 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " Away, at once, and haste ! Conduct that man te 
 prison." He indicated Pythias. 
 
 The two friends' hands remained locked in a close 
 embrace, for the duration of a minute's time. Then 
 Damon, his face lighted by a divine happiness, broke 
 through the crowd. As he disappeared from view, 
 Pythias, with hands clasped behind him, took his 
 place in the hollow square and marched with buoy- 
 ant step to his cell. 
 
CHAPTER XIX 
 
 THE UNKNOWN 
 
 A GRAY-BEARDED man, whose tangled 
 white hair cascaded out from his hood and 
 over his forehead, loitered near the city 
 gate. 
 
 Few gave a second glance to the somewhat bent 
 old form in its sober woolen garb of a freedman. 
 Such few as chanced to notice him turned away 
 in pity or in disgust. For his lean and wrinkled 
 face was blotched and twisted as by the blood-fire 
 sickness, and one of his eyes was wholly closed as 
 by the same malady's ravages. He was not a sight 
 to inspire interest or liking. 
 
 Through the dusty gateway plodded the noon- 
 day throngs: the water-vendor, his wares in drip- 
 ping pigskins athwart the back of his mangy don- 
 key; the camel-train, the ugly beasts' padded feet 
 stirring up puffs of hot white dust at every step : 
 the half-naked slaves of some rich man bearing along 
 their master in a curtained litter; sweating as they 
 moved under the avalanche of coppery sunlight; 
 these and hundreds of others filled the space on 
 either side of the wide-flung gates. 
 
 221 
 
222 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 To all, the old man granted but scant attention. 
 His single eye was piercing the throng for something 
 he sought; his ears seemed strained for some special 
 sound, through the babel of traffic. 
 
 And, as he stood there humbly, unnoticed, in the 
 glare of dust, it seemed that he saw at last what he 
 sought. 
 
 Out through the crowd that debouched from a 
 nearby street thundered a mighty gray horse, on 
 whose back rode a spare, stern faced man, his sena- 
 torial toga blowing loose behind him in the wind. 
 At his side, clutching his stirrup leather, ran a swart- 
 faced slave. 
 
 At sight of the plunging horse, a buzz of excla- 
 mations arose. No swaggering bully nor overhur- 
 ried shopman but made room for those rearing fore- 
 legs and flashing hoofs. A lane was cleared for 
 the rider's passage. The way to the open gates 
 was free. 
 
 On dashed the horse, spurred by his senatorial 
 rider; the slave at the stirrup being jerked from the 
 ground at each bound. Then, alL at once, in the 
 very gateway, the horseman pulled back his steed 
 with a suddenness that wellnigh threw the nettled 
 gray brute on its haunches. 
 
 There, in the very center of the broad gateway, 
 heedless of the peril of death beneath the thunder- 
 ing hoofs, stood a girl ; Calanthe ! In her bridal 
 
THE UNKNOWN 223 
 
 white, she stood there> her face upraised and pale, 
 unprotected beneath the blazing sky. 
 
 "Hold, sir! " she cried, throwing forward one 
 smooth arm to check the rider. "Damon! One 
 moment, wait ! " 
 
 Damon, irked at the halt, none the less bent courte- 
 ously toward her. From his impassive face, the 
 girl could not have guessed how bitterly he grudged 
 these moments he must waste in speech with her in- 
 stead of adding them to the hoarded minutes he 
 wished to spend at the side of his adored Hermion. 
 
 " Damon! " cried Calanthe, " I must speak with 
 you. I hurried here. I feared I would be too 
 late." 
 
 " There was delay," said Damon. " Lucullus, 
 my slave, here, lost his road in fetching my horse 
 from the stables. I must " 
 
 " Stay, Damon! " she implored. "Is what they 
 tell me true?" 
 
 "I would gladly stay at any time but this," he 
 broke in. " A brother's betrothed is sacred to me, 
 and her wishes are as his own. But I entreat you 
 not to shorten the mere hand's breadth of time given 
 to my heart. / I " 
 
 " Is it true? " she insisted. " Is it true that you 
 have pledged my husband's life for your safe re- 
 turn?" 
 
 " It is better that I should say to my wife, l Her- 
 
224 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 mion, I must die ! ' than that others should say to 
 her to-morrow: * Hermion, he is dead!' ' 
 
 " No ! " blazed the girl. " On the morrow you 
 will say to her, ' Pythias has died for me!' To- 
 morrow, safe from Syracuse, you will " 
 
 "Calanthe!" he cried, aghast. ".You believe 
 that? You believe I would betray him? My 
 friend, my brother? You believe ? " 
 
 " I hear folk around me whisper: ' Damon goes 
 free! Pythias pays the price. Damon will not re- 
 turn. No mortal would twice thrust his head into 
 the lion's jaws.' I heard " 
 
 "You heard, Calanthe? When the breath of 
 scandal touches the garments of a fellow-being, many 
 are ready to condemn! I'll not swear to you that 
 I shall come back. For when men lift their hands 
 in oath to the gods, it is to give assurance to a 
 doubt. To swear that I will return to my friend 
 would profane the sanctity of friendship. Good-by. 
 On the sixth hour I come back." 
 
 " No, no ! " she shrieked, seizing his bridle in an 
 ecstasy of terror. " You shall not go. You shall 
 not! I am a woman. I know what women's 
 hearts lead them to do. Even as now I grasp the 
 bridle rein, so will Hermion grasp your soul and 
 your will-power. Her arms around your neck; her 
 tears on your face, her sobbed entreaties in your 
 ears you cannot withstand her. You cannot! 
 Mortal man cannot. I know 1 know! " 
 
s 
 
THE UNKNOWN 225 
 
 Lucullus darted forward, waiting for no word of 
 command from his master. Tenderly, yet with ir- 
 resistible wiry strength, he loosed the anguished girl's 
 grip from the rein, lifted her from the ground and 
 set her to one side of the roadway. 
 
 " Damon!" she screamed. "Mercy! Have 
 mercy ! " 
 
 " May the gods help and comfort you, maiden! " 
 groaned Damon, striking spur again into his horse's 
 flanks. Lucullus, at a bound, was once more at the 
 stirrup. And, out through the gateway, shot the 
 great gray horse. 
 
 " Oh, he will never come back! " wept Calanthe, 
 heedless of the ring of staring, sympathetic faces 
 around her. " He will never come back. His wife 
 his child they will not let him return. His 
 heart will bind him to them with ropes of steel. 
 Pythias! The friend who must die for his craven 
 friend!" 
 
 A light touch on her arm made her turn. Through 
 a mist of tears she saw the old one-eyed freedman 
 beside her. 
 
 " You are Calanthe?" asked the old man, his 
 voice very gentle. " You are Calanthe, the bride of 
 Pythias?" 
 
 " His bride? " echoed the desolated girl. " I was 
 to be his bride. But oh, Damon will not return ! 
 I know he will not." 
 
 " He will not," assented the old man, his voice 
 
226 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 as solemn, as hopeless, as the toll of the passing 
 bell. 
 
 " What are you saying? " she faltered, trembling 
 at his words and tone. " What do you know of 
 him?" 
 
 " I know," sadly repeated the old man, " that 
 Damon will never come back. Not at the allotted 
 sixth hour or at any later day." 
 
 " What do you mean ? Who are you ? " 
 ' Who am I ? My name will mean little enough 
 to you. I am Creugas, a freedman. I am a serv- 
 ant in the house of Dionysius, the tyrant." 
 
 " Of Dionysius ! " she shuddered. 
 
 " On whom be the black curse of Pluton!" he 
 added. " Yet, now you must believe I know whereof 
 I speak. Damon will not return." 
 
 1 Will not return?" she repeated, womanlike de- 
 fending where late she had accused. " What can the 
 tyrant or any of his household know of such devo- 
 tion as binds these two friends together? They " 
 
 1 We can know nothing of it," sighed Creugas. 
 " Friendship and loyalty are strangers to our house. 
 But we who serve him can know something of the 
 tyrant's mind. It is from that knowledge I say 
 Damon will not return." 
 
 " You mean that he " 
 
 " I mean that my master has sent ahead a half 
 score of his mounted guard, to intercept Damon ere 
 he can mount the hillside to his home. They will 
 
THE UNKNOWN 227 
 
 be awaiting him in the patch of woodland at the 
 mountain-foot. Damon will not emerge alive from 
 that strip of forest. Think you it was by mistake 
 his slave was kept so long at saddling his horse and 
 bringing the steed to him? The guards must need 
 gain the start they needed." 
 
 "No! No!" 
 
 " That is why I say Damon will not return and 
 that Pythias is doomed to die ! " 
 
 " The monster ! To give Damon the six-hour 
 reprieve, as a cat might let a mouse think to escape ! 
 Oh, Pythias ! " 
 
 " It is not the way of Dionysius," said Creugas, 
 grimly, " to give aught in foolish generosity. As 
 well might both Pythias and Damon have known, 
 had they but paused to think. He is resolved on 
 Damon's death " 
 
 " But Pythias ? " 
 
 " Pythias won the chariot race. Pythias over- 
 threw the foes of Syracuse. The mob and the sol- 
 diery shout overloud when Pythias appears in the 
 streets. Dionysius is glad to rid himself of so popu- 
 lar a man. A man who might well threaten the 
 throne itself. He dared not lay hands openly on 
 Pythias; for the people love the blond giant. But 
 none dare censure him for taking the life Pythias has 
 willingly placed in pawn." 
 
 " Oh, gods ! " she moaned in mortal terror. " Is 
 there no way to save him ? No way ? Sir, you voice 
 
228 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 is kind. From a kind heart you have come to warn 
 me. Help me now! Help me to save my be- 
 loved ! You can help Pythias escape ? Oh, you can 
 doit? You will?" 
 
 " Yes," said the old man, simply. " And so shall 
 I pay two debts : A debt of hate to the tyrant, my 
 master; a debt of love to Pythias, who once saved 
 the life of my only son in battle." 
 
 " May the gods, in their mercy, bless you I " 
 " I am blessed by your gratitude. I ask no more." 
 " How can you save him? " 
 
 " By helping him to fly with you from Syracuse." 
 " Can you release him first from the serpent's 
 coils? From the power of Dionysius? " 
 
 " Yes. If you both will obey my directions." 
 " Oh, we shall obey you, sir. Do not fear for 
 that. And to our death-day we shall pray the gods 
 to shower rich blessings on the head of Creugas, our 
 rescuer, our hero, our preserver." 
 
 " Then come with me at once to Pythias," 
 " But he is in prison. How can we ? " 
 The old man thrust from his cloak a skinny hand, 
 clothed and distorted. On one of its fingers blazed 
 a strangely carved ring. 
 
 " The tyrant's," he explained briefly. " His 
 signet ring. Before it, all doors must open. He 
 laid it aside as he entered the baths but now. I was 
 in attendance on him. Come." 
 
 Side by side they girdled the gateway square and 
 
JHE UNKNOWN 229 
 
 passed down a tortuous and ill-smelling alley. At 
 the alley's farther end they came out upon the agora, 
 or market place, the vast area at whose farthest cor- 
 ner loomed the dirty brownish mass of stone that was 
 the city prison. 
 
 Midway of the agora, still crowded on this day, 
 despite the heat of the hour they were confronted 
 by a dazzlingly clad young officer of the newly ar- 
 rived regiment encamped upon the Epipolae to the 
 north. The officer, seeing a gloriously beautiful girl 
 accompanied only by an old man shabbily attired, 
 made his way forward through the press and stood 
 smiling down on Calanthe. 
 
 " Will Venus not pause to brighten the day for 
 Mars?" he begged, laying his hand caressingly on 
 the shrinking girl's shoulder. " The sky is aflame 
 from the sun's kisses, and my heart too is ablaze. 
 Does love find no place in your dear eyes? " 
 
 As he spoke he uncermoniously thrust aside the 
 old freedman. 
 
 " Oh, let us pass, sir! " begged the terrified Ca- 
 lanthe. " We " 
 
 " Your old scarecrow of an escort may pass, by all 
 means, to the gutter where he belongs," laughed the 
 officer. " But you will pause, I know to n 
 
 " Friend," quietly interposed Creugas, " you seem 
 to have traveled far. Have you? " 
 
 " Yes," said the officer, with marked change of 
 manner, as he glanced at the old man. 
 
230 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 "In the East?" asked Creugas, with an imper- 
 ceptible gesture. 
 
 The officer, saluting stiffly, stood aside for the 
 freedman and Calanthe to pass. 
 
CHAPTER XX 
 
 THE PRISONER 
 
 THE grilled steel portcullis leading from the 
 roadway into the prison yard next halted the 
 two. With his open hand, Creugas smote 
 on the portal. A drowsy turnkey hobbled into sight. 
 
 Beholding merely an ill-dressed old man and a 
 veiled woman (for Calanthe, warned by her meeting 
 with the officer, had drawn her veil across her face) , 
 he was turning away again with a growl of disgust 
 at having been disturbed at his nap, when Creugas 
 sharply hailed him. 
 
 Creugas had thrust his lean arm through the grill. 
 A bar of sunlight fell athwart the monarch's signet 
 ring he wore. 
 
 The turnkey hobbled nearer, blinked owlishly at 
 the ring, then scuttled off, returning presently with 
 the captain of the guard. At a word from the cap- 
 tain, the portcullis was raised, and Creugas and Ca- 
 lanthe entered under the gloomy stone arch. 
 
 Creugas stepped to one side with the captain. For 
 a moment, the two men conferred in low tones. 
 Then Creugas rejoined the waiting girl. 
 
 " Come," he said. 
 
 231 
 
232 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Following the captain, they made their way across 
 the courtyard, through a narrow and low-vaulted cor- 
 ridor through an iron door out into a stone terrace. 
 The door clanged shut behind them. 
 
 The terrace was wide and was worn by the tramp- 
 ing of many feet. On its farther side it was bounded 
 by an eighteen-inch stone wall; a walk which over- 
 looked a sheer drop of two hundred feet to the rocky 
 seashore below. 
 
 On the other side of the terrace was a line of 
 barred cell doors. Toward one of these doors the 
 officer pointed, handing Creugas a huge key. He 
 himself withdrew through the corridor opening, clos- 
 ing its door behind him. 
 
 " Sit yonder," Creugas bade Calanthe, pointing 
 to a stone seat against the prison wall. " Sit yon- 
 der. And when I beckon, come." 
 
 From the moment the officer had indicated one of 
 the barred doors to Creugas, Calanthe had been un- 
 able to keep her eyes off that one oblong of rusty 
 iron. 
 
 Creugas, seemingly reading her thoughts, had held 
 her back by turning his skinny fingers in a fold of 
 her robe. Now, as he released her and indicated 
 the stone seat, she half turned toward the cell door 
 instead. 
 
 " Remember," he warned her, as tenderly as a 
 fond father might chide a willful babe, " remember 
 your promise to obey me, maiden." 
 
THE PRISONER 233 
 
 With a quivering sigh she bowed her head and 
 walked obediently to the stone seat. 
 
 Here, such prisoners as by special favor were al- 
 lowed a few minutes of daily exercise on the terrace, 
 were wont to sit and rest, when the brief pacing to 
 and fro on the stone flagging had proven too much 
 for their wasted strength. 
 
 Here, seated on the bench of stone, they could 
 look across the dazzling blue sea to the happy Sicil- 
 ian hills that laughed with their wealth of vine and 
 corn and olive. Here they could gaze wistfully at 
 the free clouds racing across the blue sky overhead; 
 here watch the sea birds at play, the fisher children 
 shouting gleefully to each other from boat to boat; 
 here, lost to freedom, see all that was most free. 
 
 Calanthe's great pansy eyes welled with tears at 
 the thoughts, as she sank down on the greasy stone 
 seat; perhaps the saddest-hearted mortal of all the 
 sad-hearted who had sat there. For the others were 
 captive of body but free of heart; while she, free of 
 body, felt her heart loaded with carking fetters that 
 crushed it beneath their weight. 
 
 Old Creugas, key in hand, meatime, had gone to 
 the door of the cell indicated by the captain. 
 
 "My lord! Pythias!" he called through the 
 bars. 
 
 " Damon is returned at last? " came the voice of 
 Pythias from the darkness of the cell. " I thought 
 the six hours were long since passed. I have waited 
 
234 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 an eternity ! And yet I would he had not 
 
 come." 
 
 " The six hours have not yet sped. Nor all of 
 one hour of them, Pythias," replied Creugas. " I 
 wonder not you were deceived as to time's flight. I, 
 too, have been a prisoner. And I know that to him 
 who lies in a cell every hour is as a whole day whose 
 hours are long. But come ! Time is precious." 
 
 As he spoke he was fitting the huge key in the 
 lock. 
 
 " Who are you," demanded Pythias, " that bids 
 me before my time? Has the tyrant relented 
 and?" 
 
 " Dionysius does not relent. It is not his way. 
 Stand forth!" 
 
 Creugas, as he spoke, threw wide the creaking iron 
 door. Pythias reeling a little, moved forward across 
 the threshold, shielding his eyes from the unaccus- 
 tomed glare by means of his upraised arm." 
 
 "Where are you leading me?" he queried, daz- 
 edly. " Since Damon is not returned and since 
 Dionysius does not relent. Why do you ? " 
 
 " I am come to lead you to liberty." 
 
 ; ' Who are you?" queried Pythias, wonderingly 
 surveying the ugly old man in his shabby woolen 
 clothes. " Who are you that can set me free? " 
 
 " A servant of Dionysius. I dwell beneath the 
 tyrant's roof. By chance, a half hour since, I learned 
 the secret of his plan." 
 
THE PRISONER 235 
 
 " His plan? To hold me as hostage for my 
 friend? 'Twas not his plan but mine." 
 
 " No. His plan against your life." 
 
 "My life?" 
 
 " Your life." 
 
 " You croak like a raven! " declared Pythias im- 
 patiently. " He dare not plan against my life. He 
 has publicly sworn to free me on Damon's return. 
 A hostage may not be slain, unless the pledge be 
 broken, whereon he is held. When Damon comes 
 I shall be free. Dionysius is a warrior. He will 
 not break warfare's rules that govern the treatment 
 of a hostage." 
 
 " He will not break them," agreed Creugas. 
 " You are right. Even Dionysius dare not break 
 such a law. 'Twould wreck him with the army." 
 
 " Yet you say he plots my life." 
 
 " It is so." 
 
 " But how? When Damon shall return " 
 
 " Damon will not return." 
 
 " You lie ! Lucky it is that age and disease have 
 scarred your face and form and that you are of ple- 
 beian rank. Else bare-handed I would cram the 
 vile lie down your throat." 
 
 " Damon," repeated Creugas, flinching not before 
 the advance of the indignant warrior, " will not re- 
 turn." 
 
 " By Castor! You presume upon your age and 
 weakness! I " 
 
236 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " Damon will not return, because a dozen of the 
 tyrant's men even now lie in wait to slay him." 
 
 " Almighty gods of high Olympus ! What are 
 you saying? " 
 
 " You have known Dionysius. You have known 
 him long and well. Does this deed of his seem so 
 strange to you, Pythias? " 
 
 " I had not thought that mortal man could " 
 
 " Pythias, you are a warrior, not a thinker. I 
 wonder not that this surprises you. Yet Damon 
 might have thought, had not his brain been so filled 
 with " 
 
 " Quick! " ordered Pythias. " The way out! I 
 must go! " 
 
 "Go? Many a prisoner has hoped that. But 
 whither? " 
 
 " To mount my fleetest horse ! To ride after 
 Damon. To warn him of his peril or to share it 
 with him ! To die, if need be, sword in hand, at his 
 side." 
 
 "But" 
 
 "He is my friend!" 
 
 " He is leagues away by now and riding fast. A 
 bird could not overtake him. Moreover, how 
 would you go? Yonder lies the sea, two hundred 
 feet below. On the other side is the prison wall." 
 
 " Oh, my friend ! My friend ! " groaned Pythias. 
 " And in his hour of mortal peril I stand helpless. 
 I who would blithely die for him. I see it all, 
 
THE PRISONER 237 
 
 too late! Dionysius hates us both. By this foul 
 trick he rids himself of us." 
 
 " No," contradicted Creugas. " Not of both of 
 you. Of Damon alone." 
 
 " What does life hold for me when my friend lies 
 slain?" 
 
 " It holds what all men seek and what you have 
 won: Love! " 
 
 "Calanthe!" 
 
 " I come to save you. To give you freedom 
 and your bride." 
 
 " Is this a trick, too?" 
 
 " I blame you not," said Creugas, sorrowfully, 
 " that in your black hour you would smite aside even 
 the hand stretched out to save you." 
 
 "Speak out! I" 
 
 " I owe you much. I hate the usurper king. I 
 wish to serve you. I wish to thwart him. So I am 
 here. Here to set you free. Calanthe shall share 
 your flight. Your aged father " 
 
 "My father!" 
 
 " He shall join you. I have arranged it all. In 
 Syracuse harbor lies a ship that will set sail at word 
 from me; at the captain's first glimpse of the ring 
 I wear." 
 
 u T n 
 
 " You doubt me? Turn and look! There is my 
 proof." 
 
 As Creugas spoke, he beckoned. Pythias, half 
 
238 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 suspecting a new ruse of the tyrant's, turned sharply 
 about. Down the wind-swept terrace toward him, 
 shining like a goddess in the sunlight, Calanthe was 
 advancing. 
 
 " Calanthe ! " gasped Pythias. " Jove above ! 
 Calanthe I"- 
 
CHAPTER XXI 
 
 TEMPTATION 
 
 HE sprang to meet her. But as he reached 
 her the girl stepped back. A fugitive 
 memory had come to her of their last 
 meeting. 
 
 " Pythias," she said brokenly. " You shrank 
 from me as though I were unworthy. Only this 
 very day you spurned me for a mere friend's sake. 
 You forswore love and me for Damon and friend- 
 ship. How can I trust such love as yours? " 
 
 " How can you trust it? " he cried eagerly. " As 
 you can trust the high gods, as you can trust the 
 golden sun and the tides. I love you ! With the 
 heart, the soul, the body I have kept clean for your 
 sake, I love you. Above all life and heaven I love 
 you. Above all save honor. And for honor's 
 sake I gave myself as pledge for my friend. My 
 love for you shall not be less, Beloved, because my 
 love for honor was greater." 
 
 " Let us forget everything, then, except this won- 
 drous love of ours, my Pythias. Love waits for us. 
 Love and Freedom ! " 
 
 Pythias caught her in his arms ; crushing her close 
 239 
 
240 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 against his broad breast; showering kisses on her 
 lips, her eyes, her fragrant hair. 
 
 Then, as though parting from all that life held 
 dear, he put her from him. Long and earnestly he 
 looked upon the glory of sea and land and sky. And 
 again his eyes rested adoringly on Calanthe. But 
 there was no hope in their worshiping gaze; there 
 was naught save the light of a great renuncia- 
 tion. 
 
 " It has been good," he said simply. " It has 
 been good to hold you once more in my arms. It 
 will make death sweeter." 
 
 " Death! " echoed the girl, wonderingly. " Why, 
 dear one, there is no talk of death. You are free." 
 
 " No." 
 
 " But, Pythias, surely Creugas explained to 
 you" 
 
 " That Damon will not return. Thus my pledge 
 is forfeit. I must die, as I agreed, in his place." 
 
 " You are a madman ! " exclaimed Creugas. 
 
 " Perhaps. Dionysius spared the life of Damon 
 for six hours on the security that I would remain 
 imprisoned in his place until his return, and that 
 if he should not return, I should die. I gave the 
 pledge. It is forfeit, and my life with it." 
 
 " But Dionysius has broken faith with you ! " pro- 
 tested Creugas. 
 
 " Then would you have me sink to his level by 
 breaking faith with him?" 
 
TEMPTATION 241 
 
 * Think of me, Pythias," besought Calanthe. 
 1 Think of me ! Is my love nothing? " 
 
 " It is earth and heaven! " 
 
 " And is it nothing that my heart must break for 
 you?" 
 
 " It is the bitterest drop in my death cup. I would 
 eagerly die ten thousand times if I might save you 
 grief." 
 
 " Pythias, this monster, Dionysius, has broken 
 faith with you. You owe him nothing." 
 
 " I owe my honor everything." 
 
 " He has cheated you ! " 
 
 " So this man says. It may be true. It may not. 
 A thousand things may prove true or false. But 
 my honor must stand true. Suppose this man lies? 
 Suppose, at the appointed hour, Damon should re- 
 turn as return he will, if one breath of life be left 
 in his body suppose he return to keep his pledge? 
 Return and find me faithless? Of his own wish he 
 will come back to save me from death. He would 
 come back to learn that of my own wish I had proven 
 faithless and fled; that I had chosen happiness in- 
 stead of honor." 
 
 " If for one fleeting moment you think to impress 
 Dionysius by such fortitude as yours," suggested 
 Creugas, " then once and forever dismiss that hope. 
 He will laugh at you as a fool who might have won 
 freedom and who lacked the wit to outwit those who 
 have maltreated him. A strange man, this king of 
 
242 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 ours. Deaf to honor, deaf to mercy, yet with a 
 strange vein of philosophy in his head. A vein of 
 philosophy stolen, perhaps, from the Athenian sages 
 he loves to quote." 
 
 Pythias was not listening. Again he was gazing 
 deep into Calanthe's eyes as though to carry the 
 memory of their loveliness with him into the next 
 world. Creugas maundered on : 
 
 ' Why, but last night when oily Damocles supped 
 with him and fell to praising his greatness, what does 
 Dionysius do, of a sudden, but point upward so ! 
 And Damocles looks up to see hanging above his 
 head his own keen edged sword, suspended by a hair ! 
 My faith! he rolls from his banqueting couch and 
 scrambles across the room as though all hell were 
 in pursuit. 4 See! ' prates Dionysius, after the fash- 
 ion of Athenian philosophers. * See how all great- 
 ness and safety and life itself hang on a single hair. 
 When next you would fawn upon human greatness, 
 remember the Sword of Damocles ! ' 
 
 " Pythias ! " Calanthe was whispering. " Once 
 more, for my sake, fly! The opportunity may not 
 come again." 
 
 " Here I abide," firmly responded Pythias, " and 
 when Damon returns if return he may " 
 
 " He will not return I " interposed Creugas. " By 
 now the assassins are at his throat. There is noth- 
 ing left for you to await here. Look! " he broke 
 off, pointing seaward. 
 
TEMPTATION 243 
 
 Across the harbor a galley had moved from the 
 farther shore. Now she came to anchor barely a 
 furlong away from the terrace. 
 
 Her colored sails were half raised. Men 
 crouched ready to run them up the polished mast 
 at a single word of command. The slaves bent over 
 the long, burnished oars, holding them above water, 
 ready to catch water at the same word. 
 
 Like a beautiful bird, ready and poised for flight, 
 lay the galley on the glittering summer sea, a sight 
 to thrill a traveler's soul. 
 
 From the vessel's side a small boat was putting 
 forth, propelled hy half-nude blacks, toward the 
 watching group on the terrace. 
 
 "Look!" repeated Creugas. "Yonder lies the 
 ship that waits to bear you and your dear ones to 
 freedom. Her boat is even now coming hither to 
 fetch you away from this place of living death. At 
 my orders, backed by this signet ring, all these things 
 have been done. All these and more. A rope lad- 
 der hangs from the coping of the wall behind you. 
 Come" 
 
 "Pythias!" cried the girl. "Come with us! 
 Come! It is Liberty! Liberty and love! " 
 
 " It is dishonor," Pythias made reply, white to 
 the lips with the battle against his heart. 
 
 " It is Happiness! " 
 
 "No! It is disgrace!" 
 
 " Pythias," urged Creugas, " your father is old 
 
244 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 and weak. He will die of grief at tidings of your 
 death." 
 
 " He would die of shame at tidings of my shame." 
 
 " The boat ! " sobbed Calanthe. " See, it is draw- 
 ing near. So near! Would you break my heart? " 
 
 " You will remember me as the lover who loved 
 you too well to ruin his honor for your sake." 
 
 " Pythias," again broke in Creugas, his old voice 
 vibrant with tenseness; the sweat pouring down his 
 disfigured face. " Pythias, I have risked my life to 
 save you. If we three do not make our escape, and 
 make it with all speed, I am a dead man. Dionysius 
 knows horribly well how to punish. I have risked 
 all for you." 
 
 " If all the world risked everything to lure me 
 from honor my answer would be the same. Go, if 
 you are in peril, man. Though by your own show- 
 ing, you have merited death by betraying your mas- 
 ter who trusts you and deems you his friend. The 
 seeming friend of to-day may be the enemy of to- 
 morrow. Go or stay. I have given you my an- 
 
 swer." 
 
 ;t Pythias," pleaded Calanthe. "Hark! Do 
 you hear the oars? They are below us, just below. 
 Their plash is a song of freedom, of joy, of love, of 
 a golden future for us both." 
 
 " Of a black future built on blacker dishonor. 
 No! Oh, Calanthe, my own, why make me taste 
 
TEMPTATION 245 
 
 the bitterness of death before my hour? I cannot 
 go, I will not go ! " 
 
 " Pythias " began Creugas. 
 
 "Enough!" 
 
 " No. One word more. A word that must be 
 spoken," insisted Creugas. " Yet a word I would 
 fain have left unsaid. Dionysius has looked over- 
 closely at Calanthe. You know how a fair face at- 
 tracts him and to what lengths he will go to win 
 what he desires. The tyrant's eyes have followed 
 your love. L The tyrant's longing has compassed 
 her about." 
 
 " Peace ! " 
 
 4 When you are no longer alive to protect her 
 when by your mad folly you leave her defenseless in 
 his hands " 
 
 " Pythias," shuddered the girl. " He speaks 
 truth. It is not alone yourself you will be saving. 
 It will be I as well. Save me ! " 
 
 The face of Pythias was ghastly. His lips were 
 invisible from fierce pressure, his mouth was a hard- 
 set line, his eyes were ablaze. 
 
 His mighty body trembled as with an ague. His 
 nails bit deep into the palms of his clenched hands, 
 bit so deep that trickles of blood oozed out and 
 flecked his whitened finger joints. He was in mortal 
 anguish, in a travail of soul that shook him like an 
 aspen. 
 
246 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Creugas stood aside. His work was done. He 
 had played his last and strongest card. 
 
 Calanthe threw her soft white arms about her 
 lover's muscular throat and buried her face in his 
 breast. 
 
 "You must save me!" she wailed. " You can- 
 not leave me to such a fate! Come! If not for 
 your own sake, then for the sake of the woman you 
 would vow to protect and to cherish. My sweet- 
 heart, save me ! " 
 
 A groan that seemed to tear spirit and body asun- 
 der burst from the white lips of Pythias. 
 
 " May all the gods protect you, my loved one ! " 
 he panted. "If the vile tyrant lay so much as one 
 finger on your dear head, I swear I shall rend my 
 grave clothes and the earth that covers me, and come 
 back from the tomb to destroy him." 
 
 " No, no ! It is in life you must succor me ! 
 Come ! The boat lies waiting! " 
 
 " No ! Here honor and I are waiting. For the 
 end!"- 
 
 "Pythias!" she wept. "My lover, Pythias!" 
 
 He broke from the sweet prison of her detaining 
 arms and rushed back to his cell, clanging its iron 
 door shut behind him. Calanthe took a wavering 
 step toward the cell, then sank in a deathlike swoon 
 at the feet of Creugas. 
 
CHAPTER XXII 
 
 " CAUTION! " 
 
 DAMON, meantime, did not slacken rein un- 
 til he had left the city far behind him and 
 had breasted the slope of the hills whereon 
 stood his white villa. 
 
 Through the plain and through the strip of wood- 
 land at the mountain-foot he galloped, Lucullus still 
 running at his stirrup leather, the slave's tireless 
 wiry strength easily holding out in spite of the fear- 
 ful pace. 
 
 So had the Scythian foot soldiers for centuries 
 been wont to run at the side of the cavalry; unweary- 
 ing, no matter what the pace or how long the jour- 
 ney; and helped along by their grip on the stirrup. 
 
 The blazing noonday heat poured down on Da- 
 mon's unsheltered head, his prematurely grizzled hair 
 shining like soft silver in the pitiless glare. He 
 heeded not the fierce heat, nor his sweating horse's 
 gallant efforts. 
 
 His eyes were fixed on the far-off hillside villa, 
 the villa to which each stride of his horse brought 
 him nearer; the villa that held all he loved most on 
 earth; the wife of his heart, the child of his hopes. 
 
 247 
 
248 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 By set of sun he would have passed forever from 
 them. And he yearned unspeakably for the brief 
 hour he might yet spend in the sunshine of their love. 
 
 The moment's delay he had suffered through Ca- 
 lanthe he had grudged as a man dying of thirst might 
 grudge a spilled portion of his last cup of water. 
 
 He was doing all in his power to atone for that 
 delay by riding his horse with unsparing speed. And 
 nobly did the splendid gray respond to the urging of 
 spur and of voice. He seemed, by instinct, to know 
 his master's gnawing desire; and with every atom 
 of his peerless strength he sought to grant that de- 
 sire. 
 
 Through the woodland road at the hill-foot raced 
 the gallant gray. Scare did he slacken speed as he 
 breasted the steep rise of the hill. His nostrils were 
 red and his eyes suffused. Yet he held to his task. 
 
 The slave, by this time, was beginning to pant 
 from fatigue and to stagger in his run. Damon 
 alone of that speeding trio was unaware of the wild 
 pace at which they were traveling. To him, the 
 gray flying feet crawled at a snail's pace, so far did 
 his own yearning outstrip the matchless horse's 
 flight. 
 
 At last, after what Damon fancied were centuries 
 of wasted time, the plateau on the hillside was 
 reached. And, presently foam flecked, bathed in 
 sweat, his mottled sides heaving the grand horse 
 
" CAUTION ! " 249 
 
 dropped from a run to a walk and stood at his mas- 
 ter's door. 
 
 Damon sprang to earth, shouted a direction to the 
 weaned slave to care for the horse and to have him 
 ready at the courtyard door in an hour's time, then 
 dashed through the marble gateway. 
 
 Xextus was playing in the sunken garden below 
 the house; his tiny helmet and sword girded on, he 
 was vehemently marshaling an army of scarlet pop- 
 pies to an advance against some unseen invader. 
 
 Hermion was nowhere in sight A question to a 
 passing maidservant brought news that the mistress 
 of the house was in the forest beyond the lawns, 
 gathering myrtle for votive wreaths. Damon sent 
 the maid running to fetch Hermion with all speed. 
 Then he descended into the sunken garden. 
 
 Xextus, turning at sound of his father's step, caught 
 sight of the approaching figure and with a shout of 
 delight, ran to meet him. 
 
 " Father ! Father ! " he hailed, flinging his sturdy 
 little arms about his sire's knees. " You are at home 
 again ! We did not look for you. Oh, you have 
 come back to play with me ! See, you shall help me 
 mass my army. You you shall be general," he 
 added in a burst of generosity, " and I will be your 
 angelos or else your second-in-command! " 
 
 Damon, his throat contracting, picked up the mar- 
 tial boy and crushed the tiny fellow to his heart with 
 
250 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 such convulsive force that had not Xextus been a 
 stoic warrior he would have cried out with pain. 
 
 " Oh, my little boy!" murmured Damon, brok- 
 enly, " my little, little boy! " 
 
 Xextus looked up in sudden concern into the hag- 
 gard, drawn face so close to his own. 
 
 "Why, father!" he exclaimed, "you are sick. 
 Or are you wounded ? Tell me ! " 
 
 " No," denied Damon, regaining Spartan control 
 of himself by mighty effort. " No ! But my time 
 is short. I have but an hour here with you two who 
 are so dear to me. Then I must go back." 
 
 "To work?" 
 
 " No. To rest." 
 
 "But only one hour? It is not fair. Mother 
 will be unhappy again." 
 
 " Then her boy must comfort her. She will need 
 all your comfort, my little Xextus. Remember that. 
 And remember I leave her to your love and your 
 care. As you grow up, think always of that ; no mat- 
 ter what may happen. Your place is at her side; 
 to be her soldier, her comforter. You will remem- 
 ber?" 
 
 " Yes. Why, yes. But you will be here, too." 
 
 " If I am not, you must still remember. If she 
 had only you " 
 
 " But you must be here, my father ! You must. 
 There would be no fun without you." 
 
 " My soldier-boy, the day has come when other 
 
"CAUTION!" 251 
 
 things than fun must claim you. You must be the 
 staff and consoler of your mother when I am gone." 
 
 " Gone ? Where ? Oh, I I am afraid ! " 
 
 " A soldier must slay fear. You will slay it? And 
 selfishness, too? And all thoughts save those of^ 
 your mother, my Xextus? " 
 
 "I I will try, sir. But how strangely you 
 talk! And how pale you are! Where are you go- 
 ing and why must you go? " 
 
 " I am going on a long journey, little son of mine. 
 A long journey. I am come here to say good-by to 
 you and to your mother." 
 
 " But why? " asked Xextus. " Why do you go? 
 Why do you want to leave us? " 
 
 " I do not want to. I would give my all to stay." 
 
 " Then why do you go? Who sends you on this 
 journey? " 
 
 " The high gods." 
 
 "The gods?" repeated the child in reverence. 
 " Then then, I suppose you must go. Mother 
 says we must always obey the gods. She has gone 
 to weave a myrtle garland to lay at our shrine for 
 your safe home coming. But but why can't the 
 gods send some one else? Some one who hasn't a 
 little son to miss him. Couldn't they? If I prayed 
 very, very hard to them? " 
 
 Damon's thoughts flashed back unbidden to a dun- 
 geon opening on a prison terrace, where even now 
 awaited " some one " whom the gods stood ready 
 
252 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 to send on the journey in his place. And his keen 
 eyes grew misty at the vision. 
 
 The light sound of a woman's running feet and the 
 swish of a woman's drapery came to the ears of both; 
 breaking in on the strange scene. 
 
 " Go," he said gently. " Go back to your play, 
 my lad. Your mother is returning and she and I 
 have much to say. The time grows short." 
 
CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 HUSBAND AND WIFE 
 
 HERMION appeared at the head of the 
 white stairway that led from the house 
 down to the sunken garden. 
 
 " Damon! " she called in glad wecome. 
 
 Ere she could descend to him, her husband ran 
 lightly up the steps to where she stood and caught 
 her in his arms. The boy stood hesitating where 
 his father had left him. 
 
 " Damon ! " cried Hermion, an almost hysterical 
 rapture in her sweet voice. u Oh, my husband, what 
 a joyous surprise! I could scarce believe the news 
 that you had returned. Hour after hour I have 
 strained my eyes following every moving speck that 
 journeys hitherward from the city; each time pray- 
 ing the gods it might be you. And when at last you 
 came I was not on the housetop watching for you. 
 The world is worth living in again now that you are 
 back." 
 
 " Are you so unhappy, then, when I am absent? " 
 he faltered. 
 
 "Unhappy? I do not live. I only wait. Oh, 
 my own husband, if I should tell you how I fear and 
 
 253 
 
254 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 how desolate and sad I am when you are down in 
 that distant city, away from me, oh, if I could 
 make you understand all your presence means to 
 me and how your every absence blots out my sun, 
 you would never again have the heart to leave 
 
 me." 
 
 1 To leave you ! " murmured Damon under his 
 breath. " Pitying gods, give me strength! " 
 
 Hermion did not note his sudden agitation. Her 
 eyes had fallen on Xextus, still standing at the foot 
 of the steps. 
 
 " Go and weave a garland for your father! " she 
 called to him gayly. u The fairest garland that ever 
 you wove to welcome him home to us again." 
 
 The boy turned and went upon his mission. Her- 
 mion noted the unwonted lagging of Xextus' feet 
 and the sorrowful droop of his head; and she won- 
 dered at his lack of wild spirits over his adored 
 father's return. 
 
 Hoping that Damon had not observed and been 
 hurt by the child's dearth of eagerness in the home- 
 coming, she glanced from the departing Xextus to 
 her husband. So suddenly did her eyes meet Da- 
 mon's that he had not time to mask the hopeless 
 misery in his gaze. 
 
 " What is it? " she asked in quick alarm. " Are 
 you ill? The sun, the long ride " 
 
 " Hermion," he interposed, his voice wondrous 
 gentle, yet his words such as never before the calmly 
 
HUSBAND AND WIFE 255 
 
 self-contained man had spoken to her. " Hermion, 
 my wife, have I, in our married life, ever willingly 
 made you suffer? Have ever I wounded you with 
 hasty word or angry glance ? " 
 
 "You?" she cried. "Never in all my life! 
 How strangely you speak ! What put such thoughts 
 in your mind? " 
 
 u Have my thoughts strayed from you? Have I, 
 save for urgent business of state, ever remained an 
 hour from your side? Have I put aught before 
 your happiness? " 
 
 " No. No ! You know you have not. My 
 true, gentle husband, you have been all the world to 
 me ! You have made my life an endless joy. You 
 have " 
 
 " Be that my epitaph ! It is good to have heard 
 such words from you, my glorious wife. They will 
 be graven on my heart forevermore." 
 
 " What are you hiding from me ? " she demanded, 
 womanly intuition warning her even more sharply 
 than did his words. " Why speak you of * epitaphs ' 
 and?" 
 
 " When I am dead you will remember with com- 
 fort the praise you have just lavished on me." 
 
 " When you are dead? Oh, I cannot understand 
 you, Damon ! It is not like you to speak so. Why 
 do you talk of death? You are ghastly pale and 
 your eyes are dark with pain. Are you ill? Or 
 does something cause you secret grief? Some new 
 
256 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 sorrow, it must be. For in all your brooding over 
 the ill-fate of Syracuse you were never like this. 
 Speak! Tell me! Oh, how politics and the wars 
 and the city's corruption have wrecked our home 
 peace! Tell me, I implore you! I am your wife; 
 the partner of your grief. Not your plaything, to 
 share naught but your idle joys. I must know. I 
 must help. A wife can always help! " 
 
 " Hermion," he said haltingly, " suppose I were 
 to tell you the heaviest news your mind could im- 
 agine, could you bear it?" 
 
 " Bear it? I could laugh right blithely at it if it 
 did not touch your life or our love. Those two 
 are all that can matter to me. They are my world : 
 your life and the love the high gods have given 
 to us twain. What are your black tidings, dear 
 heart? Dionysius has undermined your hopes and 
 risen to power? " 
 
 " Yes. And to the throne. But that is not my 
 
 news." 
 
 " The Carthaginians march on the city again? " 
 " No. For the moment they crouch in their ken- 
 nels and lick their sore wounds." 
 
 " I can think of but one other tragedy that could 
 move you so. Your friend, Pythias, something 
 is amiss with him? He is not dead? " 
 " No ! Praise the gods ! Not dead! " 
 " Then the tidings are of yourself ! I knew it. 
 
HUSBAND AND WIFE 257 
 
 Some misfortune has befallen you! Some danger 
 threatens you. Tell me." 
 
 " A hundred times, my Hermion, I have told my- 
 self that you are the bravest woman I have known. 
 I have told myself that whatever might befall, you 
 would bear it gallantly; for my sake; for our boy's 
 sake. That if death should be my portion " 
 
 "Death? Death?" 
 
 " Here is my will," he said, handing her a scroll. 
 " Let that break the news to you. I cannot tell you. 
 I thought I could. I cannot." 
 
 "Death!" she repeated dully. "Death threat- 
 ens you? From what evil source? " 
 
 " From the law's hands." 
 
 " The law? You who are the law's stanchest up- 
 holder in these troublous days! It is not possible! 
 For what offense? " 
 
 " Dionysius has doomed me to death." 
 
 "Dionysius?" she babbled, dazedly. "To 
 death?" 
 
 Then her dooping figure straightened and a sudden 
 light of joy burned the tear mists from her eyes. 
 
 " But you are here ! " she exulted, "you have es- 
 caped ! Escaped to your own home ; unguarded, un- 
 captured. We have only to fly to Greece to 
 Italy to Egypt anywhere ! We shall be safe 
 beyond the tyrant's reach. You must fly at once, 
 
 to" 
 
25 8 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " To Syracuse," finished Damon; and his voice 
 was dead. 
 
 11 Into the very jaws of the death from whence you 
 have escaped? Are you mad?" 
 
 " I must go back to Syracuse," he insisted in the 
 same lifeless voice. " Even now I would be lying 
 dead there but that my friend " 
 
 "No! No!" 
 
 " But that my friend, Pythias, put on my fetters 
 and gave himself up as hostage for my return. In 
 this way alone was the tyrant persuaded to grant me 
 these six hours of grace to ride hither and say fare- 
 well to you and to our boy." 
 
 Hermion sank heavily to the marble steps at his 
 feet. She gripped the cold stone to save herself 
 from fainting; to cling to her senses that swam so 
 dizzily. 
 
 "You are allowed" 
 
 " To come here to bid you farewell and to place 
 my testament in your hands. It was a strange freak 
 of Dionysius' ever-strange mind. When Pythias 
 volunteered to go to prison in my stead, and to the 
 scaffold itself were I not to return at the appointed 
 hour " 
 
 "Return at the appointed hour?" gasped Her- 
 mion, rising to her knees and enwrapping him in her 
 arms. " You shall not return. By all the gods of 
 Olympus and of hell, you shall not." 
 
 "Not return?" Damon repeated. "Hermion! 
 
HUSBAND AND WIFE 259 
 
 Not return? Not go back and free my friend from 
 the fetters hung on him for my sake? Is this my 
 loyal, honorable wife who gives me such vile coun- 
 sel?" 
 
 " It is your sane wife the wife who loves you 
 too dearly to let you throw away your life in a fit 
 of madness ! Here you are safe until we can flee. 
 And here you shall stay." 
 
 "And sacrifice Pythias' life? Oh, Hermion, it 
 is you who have gone mad; to tempt me to such dis- 
 honor! " 
 
 "Dishonor?" she cried, beside herself with 
 frenzy, her wonted meekness lost in the fierce battling 
 for the man she loved; against himself. " Dis- 
 honor? And what of me? What of Xextus? To 
 save one's life, all wrong becomes right. The gods 
 who gave us life have taught us to protect that life 
 at every sacrifice. It is the voice of Nature itself 
 that demands it. And all men forgive such a deed, 
 because all men themselves would do the same thing 
 in like circumstances. What of Pythias? He is 
 your friend and mine. Many an hour shall I weep 
 for his death. But all the hours in life were not 
 enough for me to weep for yours. Live for me, 
 Damon ! You shall not leave me ! What friend- 
 ship is so precious as is love? " 
 
 " I vowed to come back to my punishment." 
 
 " And at the altar you vowed to live for me ! I 
 hold you to that vow ! " 
 
260 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 "Hermion!" 
 
 4 You shall not go ! I say you shall not go. See, 
 my arms are locked about you! To leave me you 
 must hew them away with your sword, for I shall 
 never release you! " 
 
 " Hermion! The hour passes!" 
 
 " Then it shall pass. But you shall remain." 
 
 He struggled to break her frantic hold. But her 
 arms were so entwined he could not. 
 
 " Mother! " called a clear, frightened voice from 
 behind them. 
 
 Xextus, the woven garland in his hands, stood 
 looking at them in terror. 
 
 " Hermion! " cried Damon in despair. " Loose 
 me! The hour is past. I shall be late, unless " 
 
 "You shall not go!" she moaned. "Xextus! 
 Thank the gods you have come back ! Kneel beside 
 me here. Pray to your father pray to him as 
 though he were one of the gods themselves ! Pray 
 not to be made an orphan ! Pray ! Pray not to be 
 left fatherless so soon so soon ! Oh, Damon, my 
 husband, look at us ! We are kneeling at your feet ! 
 You cannot refuse us. You cannot leave us to die 
 a hundred deaths, just that your friend may live ! " 
 
 " No. That my pledged word may live ! You 
 are urging me to dishonor. You are bidding me 
 murder Pythias that I may live. Let me go ! " 
 
 "No! Never! I" 
 
HUSBAND AND WIFE 261 
 
 Her voice choked in her throat. The tight locked 
 arms fell loose. Overburdened nature could endure 
 no more. Even as Calanthe had done when hope 
 died, Hermion fell back upon the marble and lay 
 there, white as the stone itself, and as unconscious. 
 
 Damon knelt beside her. His tears raining down 
 on her pallid upturned face. He pressed his lips 
 to hers; once and yet again. Then, staggering 
 blindly to his feet, he stooped to kiss the weeping 
 Xextus; and fled fled as for his life. 
 
 " Father ! " wailed the child. " Father 1 " 
 
 " Oh, gods whose faithful servant I have been," 
 groaned Damon as he groped his way, tear-blinded, 
 across the courtyard and to the gate, " have in your 
 tender care my wife and my orphan child. Deal 
 gently with those two who are so gentle ! Comfort 
 and strengthen them. For naught save heavenly aid 
 can help them now. Grant that my spirit may re- 
 turn to soften their grief! I ask it, not in reward 
 for aught that I have done, but for what I am to do. 
 For I, a man, go forth to die for my fellow man." 
 
 He reeled against the huge sundial that stood just 
 within the gateway of the villa courtyard. The 
 shock of the impact brought him to his senses. He 
 brushed the tear-mists from his eyes with a palsied 
 hand. And his glance fell on the dial. At sight of 
 the late hour he cried aloud as though in mortal 
 pain. 
 
V 
 
 262 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 " I have overstayed my allotted time ! " he gasped. 
 14 I must ride like the wind or I shall arrive too late ! 
 Gods, lend speed to my horse's feet. For I ride to 
 my death, that my friend may live ! " 
 
CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 DAMON'S RIDE 
 
 OUT through the gateway tp the road sprang 
 Damon. 
 " Lucullus ! " he shouted. "The sun is 
 rushing down the sky. My horse. Is he ready as 
 I bade you have him? " 
 
 He halted, mouth open, eyes staring in blank hor- 
 ror. 
 
 In the roadway, where he had left the beautiful 
 gray horse, the steed was lying, stone dead, in a wide 
 pool of blood where blue flies buzzed and swarmed. 
 The animal's throat was cut from ear to ear. 
 
 Beside the dead horse, stood Lucullus; his dark 
 face impassive as a mask; his eyes fixed on his mas- 
 ter. In his hand he held a red-bladed knife. 
 
 " Lucullus! " stammered Damon, aghast; his brain 
 whirling. 
 
 The slave, his expressionless eyes still on Damon's, 
 opened his lips and spoke. In a heavy, unemotional 
 voice he said: 
 
 " My master, in Rome, years agone, you saved 
 my life. As I have but now saved yours. Your 
 horse lies dead. I slew him. But ere I did it, I 
 
 263 
 
264 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 drove forth your stabled horses into the forest. 
 'Twill take a full hour to find them. You cannot 
 return to Syracuse to die. It is too late to go on 
 foot. You will kill me for what I have done. 
 Strike ! I shall have perished for you even as you 
 would have perished for your friend." 
 
 "Gods!" 
 
 The expletive came from Damon's white lips 
 almost in a yell, as, at last, he comprehended the 
 fearful thing that had happened. 
 
 " Slay me if you will," repeated the slave, dog- 
 gedly. 
 
 " Slay you ! " screamed the maddened man. " It 
 is the least I can do to avenge my friend. Beast that 
 has robbed me of my honor! " 
 
 He leaped like a savage tiger upon the cowering 
 Lucullus and seized him by the throat. 
 
 His left hand buried in the slave's flesh, he whipped 
 out his sword and poised it for a downward sweep 
 to cleave the fellow's skull. Then he hesitated. 
 
 " A Senator's blade would find ill rest in carrion 
 like you!" he snarled. 'The precipice yonder is 
 your fitting death." 
 
 Dragging his victim along the ground, the infuri- 
 ated Damon hastened toward a cliff edge, just be- 
 yond the villa. As he went, he growled between his 
 teeth : 
 
 " Revenge and sacrifice ! Revenge on my violated 
 pledge! Sacrifice to the red ghost of Pythias that 
 
DAMON'S RIDE 265 
 
 soars above us, perchance, even now, clamoring to 
 know why I, his friend, left him to die my death. 
 With one thrust over the ledge I'll throw you down 
 to hell; then leap after you and kill my own dis- 
 grace." 
 
 " Mercy ! " pleaded the slave, his stoic courage 
 forsaking him in face of so hideous a death. 
 " Mercy, my master! " 
 
 " Mercy? " mocked the insane Damon. 
 "Mercy? Aye, the mercy I showed to Pythias 
 when I left him to die in my stead. To Pythias who 
 trusted me and who, to the last, awaited my return ! 
 The ax that severed his head from his body has 
 deluged me in his blood. Mercy? Ask mercy of 
 the furies of red hell; not from me ! " 
 
 He had reached the cliff edge; an eighty foot 
 sheer drop yawned before him, to the tooth-pointed 
 black rocks in the valley beneath. 
 
 Sheathing his sword, Damon gripped the writhing 
 Lucullus by both shoulders and swung him aloft. 
 The slave closed his eyes. 
 
 Suddenly, with a shock that drove the breath from 
 his body, he was dashed violently to earth, scarce six 
 inches from the brink of the precipice. 
 
 Lucullus started up; wondering at his own escape 
 from the fate ordained for him by the master he had 
 sought to save. 
 
 Damon was running at the top of his speed along 
 the cliff edge toward a path that wound its steep 
 
266 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 way down a milder slope of the precipice to the valley 
 below. 
 
 As he had swung the slave aloft, Damon had 
 chanced to spy a mailed horseman cantering along 
 the valley road beneath him. And the sight had 
 filled him with a desperate hope. 
 
 To the top of the path he dashed. And down the 
 steep declivity he ran and rolled and fell; clutching 
 at bushes that ripped from their roots at his grasp, 
 clawing at the jutting rocks to steady himself; ever 
 taking chances that threatened life and limb ; increas- 
 ing his speed a pace which, on that hazardous cliffside, 
 was suicidal. 
 
 His toga was rent from him by the thorny 
 branches of shrubs. Stones bruised and cut him. 
 Earth and clay grimed his hands and face and gar- 
 ments. 
 
 At last he was brought up with a bone-racking 
 jolt on the top of a bowlder that hung fifteen feet 
 above the road. Heedless of life he sprang down; 
 clearing the intervening space and landing in the 
 wayside dust just in front of the amazed horseman, 
 who had watched in wonder his breakneck down- 
 ward progress from the cliff top. 
 
 "Your horse, friend!" called Damon, stagger- 
 ing to his feet, his mouth full of dust. " Your 
 horse! At your own price and quickly! I offer fifty 
 ounces of gold for him. J Tis twenty times his value. 
 Your horse, I say! " 
 
DAMON'S RIDE 267 
 
 The horse shied violently at the dusty, gesticu- 
 lating apparation in the road; and the rider, deem- 
 ing the unkempt and bleeding stranger a lunatic, 
 drew back and would have ridden away. 
 
 But Damon was at his side before he could touch 
 spur to the beast. With the strength of a maniac 
 he tore the man from the saddle, and hurled him 
 headlong to earth. 
 
 The rider, taken by surprise, fell with a crash of 
 clanking armor. But he was a soldier; toughened 
 in the Carthaginian wars and alert of wit and of 
 body. Scare had he touched ground when he was 
 on his feet again. 
 
 His sword flashed from its scabbard and with an 
 oath he rushed on his assailant. 
 
 Damon, meantime, had sprung to the bridle of the 
 rearing horse; jerked the brute's head downward 
 and seized the mane, preparatory to vaulting into the 
 saddle. 
 
 But now, releasing the steed, he sprang nimbly 
 aside-; barely in time to avoid the downward-swish- 
 ing stroke of the dismounted soldier's heavy sword. 
 
 t( lo Triomphe! " yelled the angry horseman, voic- 
 ing his war-cry, as he smote again at the unkempt 
 form before him. 
 
 But Damon had drawn his own blade ; and that 
 of the soldier smote ringingly against it. There was 
 no time for explaining; for argument, for offer of 
 money. The stranger, his martial honor tarnished 
 
268 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 by the overthrow from his horse, was in no mood 
 for anything save bloodshed. 
 
 Back and forth, up and down the dusty road, the 
 two opponents fought; their breath coming hot and 
 fast, their feet stamping in attack, retreat or recov- 
 ery. Their battling swordblades clanged and 
 whined and whistled the Eternal Hate Song of the 
 Ages. 
 
 Foot to foot, eye to eye, blade to blade, they 
 fought; these two who, five minutes earlier, had 
 never seen nor heard of each other, but who now 
 sought to slay. 
 
 The soldier fought furiously. But his fury was 
 as nothing to his antagonist's. Damon had no 
 hatred for his foe. But he was mad with eagerness 
 to get away; to mount, to ride at killing speed to 
 Syracuse to rescue his imperiled friend. 
 
 This stranger barred his way. Only by slaying 
 the man, apparently, could he hope to pass on. 
 And, only by slaying him right swiftly, could he hope 
 to be on time. Every second of delay weighed 
 against the life of Pythias. 
 
 Wherefore, disdaining to guard himself and seek- 
 ing only to slay ere he should be slain, Damon pressed 
 his opponent with the reckless fierceness of a cor- 
 nered tiger. 
 
 Back, step by step, he forced the soldier who, be- 
 holding the other's wild recklessness of life and be- 
 coming more and more convinced that he had to do 
 
DAMON'S RIDE 269 
 
 with a maniac, was sore put to it to defend him- 
 self. 
 
 Damon beat down the soldier's guard and lunged 
 swiftly. His sandaled foot slipped in the elusive 
 dust, and momentarily he was thrown off his bal- 
 ance. 
 
 His foe's skilled eye was quick to see the brief 
 advantage; and his foe's skill as a swordsman was 
 equally quick to profit by it. 
 
 Leaping in, the soldier struck. Damon, recover- 
 ing himself, shrank aside from the blow, parrying 
 as he dodged. His sudden avoidance and his inter- 
 vening sword deflected the soldier's heavily descend- 
 ing blade. 
 
 Its edge missed Damon's skull and inflicted a 
 gash in his left shoulder. Damon, before the sol- 
 dier could recover from the impetus of that great 
 stroke, caught the latter's blade on the flat of his 
 own, and smote downward and to one side. 
 
 The trick served. The soldier's sword flew in 
 air and fell in the roadside bushes. The soldier 
 stumbled backward, nursing a right arm that was 
 numb to the shoulder. 
 
 Damon sheathed his own blade and with almost 
 the same gesture, pulled his purse from his belt and 
 flung it at the other's feet. 
 
 " In payment for your steed ! " he called, as he 
 vaulted to the saddle and thundered away toward 
 Syracuse, without so much as a backward look. 
 
270 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Vaguely he was glad he had not been obliged to 
 slay this foeman against whom he held no hatred. 
 To him the fellow had been but an obstacle as 
 impersonal as a bowlder or a fallen tree across the 
 road to be overcome at the least possible waste 
 of time. That he had overcome him without shed- 
 ding blood was a source of gratification to Damon. 
 
 But these and all other thoughts were as mere 
 blurs in his whirling brain. He, the wise, the calm, 
 the icily clear thinker, was in a red swirl of horror. 
 His mind refused its normal functions. 
 
 He was possessed and obsessed by one single all- 
 over-powering impulse : to reach Syracuse in time 
 to redeem his friend's pledged life. 
 
 He forced his reeling brain to some momentary 
 semblance of its wonted clearness as the horse 
 bounded down the mountain's lower slopes and into 
 the wide plain that lay between the hill and the city. 
 
 Was there a chance he could arrive in time ? 
 
 The sun had slipped perilously low in the heavens. 
 The shadows were lying in long and weirdly shaped 
 formation along the plain. Sunset was at hand. 
 
 When the red sun's rim should touch the crest of 
 the far western mountains, Pythias must die. And 
 the miles of the plain stretched drearily long between 
 the frantic rider and Syracuse. 
 
 To the finest edge, Damon had unwittingly pro- 
 longed his stay with his wife and son, Hermion's 
 
DAMON'S RIDE 271 
 
 passionate embrace chaining him to his home when 
 he should have been departing. 
 
 The slaying of his horse, and his own mad attempt 
 at vengeance upon the too-faithful slave had further 
 delayed him ; as had the brief clash at arms with the 
 unknown soldier. 
 
 He had wasted time. Time that was not his to 
 waste. And his friend's life might be the forfeit. 
 Thus fiercely did Damon blame himself, in merciless 
 self-arraignment, forgetting that circumstances, and 
 not he, were to blame. 
 
 He knew, as a student of human nature, the odd 
 twists of Dionysius' strange nature. He knew the 
 tyrant would keep his word: He would not put 
 Pythias to death one instant before the allotted time. 
 But he would not delay one moment beyond that 
 time. 
 
 The whole issue rested with Damon ; even as Da- 
 mon had proposed that it should. And, while Da- 
 mon raved at his own delay, he could not in justice 
 blame the tyrant for taking him at his word. 
 
 In a torture-vision, the scene that must be enacted, 
 burned itself into his soul. He seemed to behold 
 the agora with the grim scaffold and grimmer exe- 
 cutioner in its center; the silent, morbidly-fascinated 
 throng crowding about the gruesome nucleus. 
 
 He seemed to see Pythias proud, unflinching, 
 his face alight with self-renunciation led forth 
 
272 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 from the gloom of the prison into the sunset square 
 and to the scaffold; beside whose block the execu- 
 tioner awaited him, ax in hand. 
 
 Pythias ! The friend, the more-than-brother, who 
 had trusted in Damon's promise to return and who 
 would gladly lay down life that his comrade might 
 live! 
 
 Damon could almost hear the strangled weeping of 
 Calanthe ; could see her fresh girlish beauty crushed 
 forever to earth by the fearful tragedy that was to 
 engulf her. 
 
 Damon groaned aloud in horror. Frantically he 
 flogged the galloping horse to greater speed. Dully 
 he became aware that this lumbering hack-charger 
 of the army was no match in speed for his own slain 
 horse. 
 
 The brute he now bestrode was one of the thou- 
 sands which army contractors yearly bought up from 
 farmers and from tradesmen and which, after a little 
 veterinary treatment, they sold at huge profit to the 
 government. 
 
 Such horses, at a pinch, could be counted upon 
 for a routine march or even for a lumbering cavalry 
 charge. But for a race for life they were usually 
 far out of their element. 
 
 The horse was breathing in heaving grunts and, 
 despite Damon's urging, was already beginning to 
 slacken speed. To the rider's urging, the animal 
 no longer responded. His was not the thorough- 
 
DAMON'S RIDE 273 
 
 bred strain that makes the perfect horse kill itself 
 from exertion at the behest of its master. 
 
 The beast, bred rather to the plow than to the race 
 course, was spiritless and tired; and saw no reason 
 for tiring itself further. 
 
 Damon's sword flashed out. With the flat of the 
 blade he smote the sweating horse across the flanks. 
 The blow raised a weal on the poor animal's skin, 
 but added only a momentary flash of speed to its 
 slackening pace. 
 
 And the sun dropped lower and lower. Now it 
 hung scarce a hand-breadth above the western moun- 
 tains. 
 
 Again and again the flogging sword blade rose and 
 fell. And after the first few blows, the horse did 
 not respond by even a brief outburst of speed to the 
 cruel beating. A final frantic stroke, and the hilt 
 turned in Damon's shaking hand. Not the flat but 
 the edge of the blade smote the heaving flank. 
 
 The horse staggered, lunged forward and fell ; its 
 upper-leg sinew cut. . 
 
CHAPTER XXV 
 
 FOR FRIENDSHIP! 
 
 DAMON, wellnigh unseated by the horse's 
 forward plunge, barely saved his leg from 
 being crushed under the falling body. 
 Swinging clear of the great tumbling bulk, he leaped 
 to his feet. 
 
 For an instant he stood, as one drugged to stu- 
 pidity, gazing down at the struggling animal. His 
 last hope was gone. Syracuse was a full five miles 
 away. He was on foot. The sun was making 
 ready to sink behind the black mountain range to 
 westward. 
 
 Five miles to go on foot ! And a distance that 
 the fleetest horse could scarce hope to travel in so 
 brief a space of time ! 
 
 Half subconsciously, he drew his sword's keen 
 edge across the throat of the crippled horse; mer- 
 cifully ending the poor brute's agony. 
 
 As he sheathed his blade, Damon noted that the 
 left side of his torn and muddied tunic was wet with 
 blood. Then for the first time he realized that he 
 had been wounded during his combat with the sol- 
 dier. 
 
 274 
 
FOR FRIENDSHIP! 275 
 
 Carelessly, with glazed eyes, he glanced at the 
 flesh wound in his left shoulder. The wound was 
 not dangerous. Yet it was bleeding freely; and 
 the loss of blood was beginning to weaken the 
 man. 
 
 His knees shook and his legs felt strangely heavy 
 as he started afoot toward the city. He made no 
 effort to stanch the blood, miserably wishing the 
 wound might have found his heart instead of his 
 shoulder. 
 
 Knowing full well the hopelessness of his quest, 
 he nevertheless broke into a shambling run. His 
 sword and embossed sword-belt and scabbard seemed 
 heavy, so feeble was he growing through loss of 
 blood. He cast them behind him in the road. 
 
 His sandals weighted his tired feet. He kicked 
 them off and reeled on, barefoot; the sharp stones 
 of the road cutting unheeded into his soles. 
 
 "Pythias!" he gasped, chokingly, as he ran. 
 "Pythias!" 
 
 And again : 
 
 " Pythias! Friend who is even now perhaps dy- 
 ing for me ! I have failed you. Would to the gods 
 I might have died ere such an hour of shame ! " 
 
 On, on, he staggered, drunkenly; along the road 
 to Syracuse; sweating, bleeding, dust-choked, dizzy. 
 His mind was clouded. His heart was dead. Yet 
 he moved toward his goal, bitterly hopeless as he 
 knew his journey now to be. Had his feet been 
 
276 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 hewn away he would have crawled onward upon his 
 knees. 
 
 He knew full well there was no chance. Yet, so 
 long as the fiery sun still stood above the mountains 
 he would hasten toward the scaffold with all the 
 weak force he still possessed. After that 
 
 " Gods ! " his blackened and cracked lips formed 
 the words that his fear-sanded throat could scarcely 
 voice. " High gods of Olympus ! In friendship's 
 holy name I supplicate you! I who never asked a 
 boon for myself! Grant a miracle that shall carry 
 me to Syracuse to die in my friend's stead! Grant 
 it and " 
 
 He staggered blindly against something that 
 blocked his way; and, reeling back from the impact, 
 he sank into the dust. 
 
 The shock partly cleared his eyes and his throbbing 
 brain. Looking upward he saw above him a dark 
 faced man clad in snow white; who, seated on a 
 white horse, was gazing down at the fallen Damon 
 in grave wonder. 
 
 At sight of the horse, Damon, by a mighty ef- 
 fort, got to his feet. He recognized the steed as 
 a desert Arab of the fleetest breed; even as he recog- 
 nized the rider as one of the Arabian sheiks who 
 occasionally journey from the far off desert to Syra- 
 cuse on business of tribal import. 
 
 Damon's hand went to his side. But neither purse 
 nor sword hung there. There was no way to bribe 
 
FOR FRIENDSHIP! 277 
 
 or coerce the Arab into letting him have his steed. 
 And he knew himself too weak from loss of blood to 
 grapple the man barehanded. 
 
 Even as Damon was rising, the sheik spoke. Ey- 
 ing the disheveled and bleeding Senator, he said 
 slowly : 
 
 " Are not you that Damon who was to return to 
 the city to ransom his friend's life? I was in the 
 throng to-day and saw " 
 
 " Yes ! " croaked Damon, hoarse, incoherent. 
 
 ' Yes ! And I am too late unless Your steed, 
 
 Sheik! In Friendship's holy name lend him to me! 
 
 I will return him and his weight in gold pieces if - " 
 
 " In Friendship's name he is yours," returned the 
 Sheik, gravely. " And let there be no talk of pay. 
 Ride to redeem thy pledge ! " 
 
 Dismounting, as he spoke, he fairly lifted the ex- 
 hausted Damojn to the saddle. 
 
 " May heaven thank you as I cannot! " panted 
 Damon, urging the milk white steed into a run. 
 
 The blooded horse need no whip nor spur. 
 Across the plain he swept; neck outstretched; tiny 
 feet flying like the hurricane. 
 
 The wounded man crouched low in the saddle, his 
 eyes on the sinking sun; praying against all hope, 
 that he might yet be in time. 
 
 The swart faced Arab sheik gazed after him. 
 
 " May the spirits of the Simoon speed Massoud's 
 feet and bear the gallant man to his hero-death! " 
 
278 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 he mused. ' To die as he thus will die shall prove 
 to all future ages that Friendship is holier than all 
 else on earth." 
 
 And the westering sun touched the top of the 
 black mountains. 
 
 The hour was come. 
 
CHAPTER XXVI 
 
 THE HEADSMAN 
 
 BLACK shadows from Wall and turret lay 
 thick across the market square of Syracuse. 
 In the very midst of the agora a hideous 
 platform has been built 
 
 Around the platform's foot surged and murmured 
 a vast crowd of men and women. The noise of 
 shouting, of laughter, of babbling talk, that mark 
 the presence of a crowd, were wholly absent. 
 
 Save for the low murmur of hushed voices, the 
 throng around the scaffold-foot was silent, void of 
 life. The faces of its men were white and tense. 
 More than once the stifled sound of its women's 
 weeping broke upon the stillness. 
 
 The people of Syracuse had come forth into the 
 agora to see a brave man die. From lip to lip sped 
 low-muttered rumors. One man declared that Da- 
 mon had returned and was even now about to be led 
 forth to death. Another whispered that the Sena- 
 tor had been waylaid by Dionysius' assassins a^id was 
 even now dead. A third said that Pythias had aban- 
 doned all hope of his friend's promised return and 
 was prepared to meet his doom as a hero should. 
 
 279 
 
280 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 At this last rumor, a wave of anger swept the 
 crowd. Pythias was their idol. Gladly would hun- 
 dreds of them have risked life for the dashing young 
 general if, by that risk, he could have been saved. 
 
 But, lining the square's edges, stood rank upon 
 rank of Dionysius' picked veterans; full armed; iron 
 of face; ready to sweep the market place empty and 
 to deluge its pavement with blood at the lightest 
 command of their King. 
 
 Wherefore, heavy of heart, helpless to strike a 
 blow for their hero, the people stood in tearful or 
 muttering grief, and awaited the drama's next scene. 
 
 Even the most casual resident of Syracuse, re- 
 entering the city after an absence, that afternoon, 
 would at once have known that something was much 
 amiss. 
 
 Usually, the sunset hour was the gayest of the 
 twenty-four. The fierce heat of the day was then 
 past; the cool breeze was setting in from the Medi- 
 terranean; the toil of the masses was over and the 
 time for recreation had begun. 
 
 Then it was that from a hundred walled gardens 
 came the soft twanging of lutes and the murmur of 
 song and of laughter. Through the amber light 
 the nightingale's sweet plaint awoke. The fishers' 
 chant arose from the shore as the returning seamen 
 hauled in their brown nets. 
 
 Through the alleys of the ilex, white robed lovers 
 strolled arm in arm. Tradesfolk sat pleasantly gos- 
 
THE HEADSMAN 281 
 
 siping in front of their shops. Groups of women 
 and girls loitered beside the public fountain, their 
 light laughter mingling prettily with the plash of the 
 water. Children played and shouted in streets and 
 agora. And over all brooded the sweet peace of 
 the dying day; the beauty of the sunset skies; the 
 joy of work done and rest begun. 
 
 This afternoon the wonted charm and glamour of 
 the sunset hour were missing. No music or laugh- 
 ter arose. No child shouted; no lover sang his woo- 
 ing. 
 
 Instead, the ominous hush, the heartsick murmur, 
 the occasional clank of swords or shield or breast- 
 plate. A man was to die. A man the city loved. 
 And the city held its breath in horror and suspense. 
 
 And the next move in the grisly drama the 
 drama for whose unfolding the populace waited with 
 fascinated dread was quick to be made. 
 
 The rusty portcullis of the prison at the square's 
 upper end was raised. The creaking of the grill in 
 its grooves and the raucous jar of its chains rang 
 audibly throughout the whole hushed square. 
 
 Ten thousand eyes were turned toward the dirty- 
 brown building. 
 
 Through the grim archway, under the raised port- 
 cullis, marched six prison guards; each in full armor; 
 each with sheathed gladius at belt and each gripping 
 a keen pointed pilum, which he carried at " guard/' 
 
 In the midst of this clump of armed men strode 
 
282 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 a hideous figure: a short, squat man, apelike of 
 build; his short legs surmounted by an abnormally 
 muscular trunk from whose shoulders hung arms as 
 long and as sinewy as a gorilla's. 
 
 His face was bestial ; with small glittering eyes, a 
 grotesquely flattened nose, low forehead, a bristling 
 black beard and close-cropped hair. His dress con- 
 sisted of a sleeveless jerkin and short kilt; the cos- 
 tume affected by butchers of that time. 
 
 Over his shoulder he carried a long hafted ax 
 with an enormous curved blade; the badge of his 
 calling. 
 
 At sight of the sinister dwarfish man, a shudder 
 ran through the crowd, followed by a long sigh of 
 horrified loathing. 
 
 Well did everyone there know the newcomer; and, 
 in the streets, women were wont to draw aside their 
 robes as he passed; and even the children would spit 
 at him and hiss. 
 
 He was Matho, the public executioner. 
 
 Then, as in later and more civilized countries, the 
 public executioner was held in abhorrence and dread 
 by the public at large. His office was hereditary; 
 descending from father to son. No one, save out- 
 casts urged thereto by fear, would associate with 
 him. He was shunned like a leper. 
 
 Solitary, embittered, a creature of wholesale 
 hatred, Matho lived out his days; as friendless in 
 the teeming city of Syracuse as he would have been 
 
THE HEADSMAN 283 
 
 on a desert island ; forbidden even to occupy a house 
 within the city limits or to drink at a city tavern. 
 
 In a little hut-community beyond the gates, he 
 dwelt; his companions and neighbors, the paraschites 
 (undertakers and embalmers), those accused of 
 witchcraft and criminals who were in hiding. 
 
 Only on occasions when a man must die to satisfy 
 the law, was Matho allowed to set foot in the agora. 
 And then, only when surrounded by a highly neces- 
 sary band of bodyguards to protect him from the 
 hatred of the people. 
 
 This afternoon, the thick-packed crowd parted 
 readily before the advance of Matho and his six 
 guards. The mass of people parted to make a lane 
 for them; as one draws back from a slimy serpent. 
 There was less of fear of the guard in their move- 
 ment than of aversion to the man who was guarded. 
 
 Matho, unhindered, strode through the press; to 
 the low flight of four steps that led upward to the 
 platform of the scaffold. In the middle of the plat- 
 form the headsman's block had been placed. It was 
 a cylinder of wood whose summit had been hollowed 
 to allow the neck of a victim to fit into it. 
 
 Matho walked over to the block; placed one foot 
 on it, tested the edge of his ax and waited. 
 
 The sun was touching the western mountains. 
 
CHAPTER XXVII 
 
 SUNSET 
 
 MEANTIME, within the prison, Calanthe 
 cowered. Refusing all of Creugas' pleas 
 to leave the gloomy place, she had re- 
 mained on the terrace outside of the door of Pythias' 
 cell. 
 
 Recovering from her swoon, she had hastened to 
 the closed and barred door as fast as her faltering 
 steps could bear her. Then, as near as possible 
 to her sweetheart, she had pressed her fair warm 
 body against the cold bars and called aloud to the 
 captor. 
 
 Creugas, by entreaties and almost by physical 
 force, had sought to make her come away with him. 
 But her one reply had been : 
 
 " After sunset to-day Pythias and I shall be as 
 far apart as are the Earth and the Elysian Fields. 
 For this poor space of time that is left to us, let me 
 be as near to him as I may. It is all that is left to 
 him in life. It is all that will be left to me to re- 
 member." 
 
 Nor could Creugas' urging shake her resolve. 
 And at last the old man had limped away, mumbling 
 protests against her stubbornness. 
 
 284 
 
SUNSET 285 
 
 Through the long afternoon, as the sun, inch by 
 inch, dipped toward the western horizon, the girl 
 had knelt there against the bars, calling now and then 
 to her prisoned lover; her love words deadened by 
 the iron of the door. 
 
 None molested her. Perhaps the power of the 
 signet ring, shown by Creugas to the guard-captain,, 
 prevented the turnkeys or soldiers from ordering her 
 away. Perhaps the power of her own heart-broken 
 love softened their rough hearts and made them leave 
 her to her grief. 
 
 And so the afternoon had dragged by, on leaden 
 feet. The shadows lengthened and the sunset 
 breeze drifted in from sea. And at last the weep- 
 ing girl felt a hand on her bowed head. 
 
 "No. No!" she wailed. " Not yet. Not 
 yet!" 
 
 She looked up to see Creugas bending over her. 
 Behind him were soldiers. The men at arms stood 
 out of earshot at the entrance to the inner corridor 
 of the prison. Creugas, if he had accompanied them 
 thither, had apparently bidden them wait at the ter- 
 race-end while he spoke with Calanthe. 
 
 " Leave me! " implored the girl, recognizing him. 
 u Leave me with him alone, here until the 
 last." 
 
 " I have come," began the old man, " to tell 
 you " 
 
 " There are no tidings that can interest me now,'* 
 
286 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 she interrupted. " Oh, will you not leave me ? Do 
 not think I am thankless for the service you sought 
 to render him. Later, when all is over I can 
 thank you, perhaps, as I should. But now I can 
 think only of my loved one who must die." 
 
 " Perhaps he need not die," said Creugas, gently. 
 
 " Need not need not die ? " she echoed, incred- 
 ulous; then: "No, good friend. You are wrong. 
 He will not consent to escape; even if you can still 
 save him that way." 
 
 " I cannot," returned the old man. " Fortune 
 never gives twice the same chance to the same man. 
 To-day, Pythias had his chance. And he hurled it 
 away from him, for honor's sake. That chance has 
 flown. See, the ship that awaited him has sailed." 
 4 Then, why do you come here to ? " 
 
 " I come to tell you that there is hope for Pythias." 
 
 "Hope? What hope can there be? His life 
 hangs on Damon's return. And Damon cannot re- 
 turn; for did not the assassins of Dionysius lie in wait 
 for him in the woodland at the mountain-foot and 
 slay him? " 
 
 "No!" 
 
 " No? " she cried, trembling all over. " But you 
 told me " 
 
 " I told you what I myself heard from the tyrant's 
 own lips. Ten minutes ago I learned Dionysius 
 changed his plans he is ever changeable, when the 
 whim strikes him and recalled the murderers. 
 
SUNSET 287 
 
 He is resolved not to cog fate's dice, he says; but 
 to let the event shape itself. If Damon returns be- 
 fore the sun has set, Pythias shall live. If he re- 
 turns not, Pythias dies in his place. But the tyrant 
 has not interfered with Damon's journey. The re- 
 sult is on the knees of the gods." 
 
 The girl sprang up; her lassitude gone, her face 
 aglow, her eyes starlike and sparkling. 
 
 " Oh, may the gods bring you wealth and bliss ! " 
 she cried, impulsively seizing the old man's lean hand 
 and covering it with kisses. " You have brought me 
 to light and air, out of the grave. Pythias will be 
 saved, then! " 
 
 "If friendship be so sacred a thing as he and 
 Damon have ever boasted," said Creugas. " If 
 friendship be more to Damon than is Self, then 
 Pythias shall live. If he prefer life rather than 
 sarifice, then Pythias dies. All hangs on the weight 
 of Damon's friendship, as weighed against love of 
 life and wife and child. Few could withstand the 
 test, perhaps none." 
 
 "None?" she repeated, indignantly. "Have 
 you forgot that for friendship's sake, Pythias this 
 very day did turn his back on life and freedom? 
 Shall Damon do less? " 
 
 " That," replied Creugas dryly, " remains to be 
 proven. 'Tis that which the tyrant himself waits 
 in hot impatience to discover. He could not at first 
 believe that friendship was so strong as to make 
 
288 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 Pythias yield himself hostage in Damon's stead. 
 Nor, now, can he believe that Damon will be so 
 great a fool as to come back and die when he may 
 remain away and live." 
 
 Calanthe scarce heard. A cloud had crossed the 
 roseate glad hopes that had so suddenly sprung to 
 life within her. She remembered her own earlier 
 fears lest Damon might not withstand the terrible 
 test; lest Hermion's tears might win him from 
 honor ; lest the sight of his adored boy might melt his 
 resolve. 
 
 Yet only for an instant did she let her mind dwell 
 on such morbid fears. The newborn hope was too 
 strong to be long clouded. 
 
 With her bare fists she beat upon the iron door of 
 Pythias' cell, shrilling rapturously : 
 
 " Pythias! Pythias, my lover, my lover! 
 There is hope for you ! " 
 
 Forgetting that her joyous news could not pierce 
 the thick metal of the door, she cried it over and 
 again. 
 
 Steps and the clank of arms sounded behind her. 
 The captain of the guard and a troop of twenty 
 heavy-armed hopleit soldiers were advancing toward 
 the cell. 
 
 Calanthe's frightened gaze turned instinctively 
 from the oncoming soldiers to the westering sun. 
 The red orb's lower rim was wellnigh kissing the 
 mountain crest. 
 
SUNSET 289 
 
 And again sick fear possessed her. On a mad 
 impulse she threw herself in front of the cell, her 
 arms flung wide across it. 
 
 " You shall not take him ! " she wept. " Grant 
 him time ! Damon may yet come will yet come 
 
 to take his place on the scaffold ! You reach my 
 lover only across my corpse." 
 
 The guard-captain's gnarled face took on a look 
 of irritation. He stepped forward as though to 
 drag the frantic bride away from the cell door. 
 
 But Creugas, as if by accident, interposed his body 
 between the girl and the captain. And the sunset 
 rays, touching his uplifted hand, set the signet ring 
 to flashing ominously. 
 
 The Captain halted; irresolute; then, choking 
 back his annoyance, said in gruff kindliness : 
 
 " Lady, we do not come to take him to his death, 
 
 if Damon returns. And there are still some few 
 minutes lacking ere the hour of sunset. We come 
 by orders of his gracious Majesty, the King, to lead 
 the prisoner to the scaffold; there to wait Damon's 
 coming." 
 
 "But why ?" 
 
 " 'Tis at the scaffold, not here in prison, Damon 
 will seek him if he arrives by any chance at the last 
 moment," explained Creugas. " And by going to 
 the scaffold, forthwith, Pythias can behold his friend 
 as he arrives. Were Damon to seek him here at 
 the prison, much time might well be lost in gaining 
 
290 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 ingress. Come, sir!" to the guard-captain, " to 
 your task. The lady will not oppose you. And, by 
 the authority vested in me, I command that she be 
 permitted to accompany her husband to the scaf- 
 fold." 
 
 Again, the Captain scowled, and seemed as though 
 he were about to refuse. And again Creugas raised 
 the shining hand that bore the monarch's signet ring. 
 
 " As you say ! " grumbled the Captain. " If there 
 be complaint or rebuke, for so irregular an act, I look 
 to you to make my peace with the King." 
 
 " Do not fear," said Creugas brusquely, " but 
 make haste. The King's orders are yet unfulfilled." 
 
 The soldier, as though irked at being forced to 
 take orders from an ill-clad civilian, seemed about to 
 rebuke the authoritative old man. But, again, on 
 second thought, he swallowed his resentment. 
 
 He strode to the cell door, unbarred it and flung 
 it open. 
 
 "Come forth !" he ordered. 
 
 Pythias, deadly pale, yet his eyes fearless and his 
 brow calm, stepped out upon the terrace. As be- 
 fore, his glance swept sea and sky, lingering in brief 
 dread on the low sun. 
 
 Then he saw Calanthe and he stretched out his 
 arms to her in silence. She fled to their mighty 
 refuge and lay close to his breast. 
 
 "My sweetheart!" she said softly, her voice 
 
SUNSET 291 
 
 a-thrill with hope. " There is glorious news for 
 you." 
 
 " Damon has returned? " asked Pythias, more in 
 sorrow than in hope. " My friend, then, must die? " 
 
 " He has not returned," she made reply. " But 
 he may return. The tyrant's order to slay him, as 
 he rode, was countermanded. He was not way- 
 laid." 
 
 " Then he will be here." 
 
 There was a calm certainty in Pythias's tone. 
 
 " May the gods grant it ! " prayed Calanthe. 
 
 " Come ! " ordered the Captain. " You are to 
 await him on the scaffold." 
 
 " On the scaffold? " echoed Pythias, recoiling ever 
 so slightly. 
 
 " It is the King's command," said the Captain. 
 
 " I am ready," answered Pythias, his face and 
 voice as calm as those of a man who fares forth to a 
 feast. 
 
 At a word from the Captain, the twenty hopleits 
 formed in double rank about the prisoner. Calanthe, 
 clinging to her husband's arm, pressed the closer to 
 him as the armored men hemmed them in. Directly 
 behind Pythias and Calanthe, in the dual hedge of 
 soldiers, stood old Creugas. 
 
 " March! " rasped the Captain, drawing his sword 
 and taking his place at the little procession's head. 
 
 The soldiers stepped forward as one man, in their 
 
292 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 leader's wake, their short heavy swords drawn. In 
 the space between their double ranks walked Pythias 
 and Calanthe, followed closely by Creugas. 
 
 In this formation the party moved through the 
 wide door into the prison, along its corridor and 
 across the courtyard to the raised portcullis, where 
 stood four spearmen on guard. 
 
 The spearmen saluted, drew aside to let them 
 pass, and then followed them as a rear rank, march- 
 ing abreast. Behind the departing group, the port- 
 cullis clanged down. 
 
 Out into the sunset square marched Pythias, his 
 guard in close order around him. At sight of the 
 prisoner a groan as of physical pain went up from the 
 thousands of onlookers that filled the square and the 
 surrounding roofs and windows. 
 
 At sight of the captive, all eyes were turned from 
 the scaffold, with its grim form of the executioner 
 standing, ax in hand, beside his block. There was 
 an involuntary general movement toward the man 
 who walked amid his guards; a movement of sym- 
 pathy, of affection, of fierce pity. 
 
 Well it was for the carrying out of Dionysius' 
 ' orders, that so many and such heavy-armed soldiers 
 had been chosen for the prisoner's escort; else had 
 the crowd torn Pythias free. As it was, the people 
 surged like angry waves on every side of the pro- 
 cession, sweeping up to the very sword-points of the 
 hopleit guard. 
 
SUNSET 293 
 
 Through the press, the Captain and his men 
 marched. The people gave back, threateningly and 
 hesitatingly, before their steel clad progress; weep- 
 ing, murmuring, cursing. 
 
 Pythias, his fair head erect, marched gallantly 
 among his captors. The bright eye did not flinch 
 even at sight of scaffold, block and headsman nor 
 did the proud step lag. 
 
 Firmly, he trod, shoulders back, eyes steady, white 
 brow unruffled. One arm was about Calanthe, sup- 
 porting her frightened steps. His firm set lips 
 moved only to whisper words of love and good cheer 
 to her; words which old Creugas, hobbling just be- 
 hind, craned his stringy neck to catch. 
 
 And thus, through the helplessly sympathetic 
 crowd, they came at length to the scaffold. At the 
 foot of its steps, the Captain halted. 
 
 Creugas drew him aside and whispered earnestly 
 to him for a moment or two. The Captain listened, 
 at first impatiently; but with growing respect. When 
 Creugas had finished, the Captain saluted. 
 
 Creugas asked him a question. The Captain an- 
 swered and Creugas made his way back to Calanthe 
 and Pythias. 
 
 " I have ordered the Captain," he said, " to keep 
 sharp lookout for sign of Damon's coming; and to 
 give you every moment that the tyrant's commands 
 will permit." 
 
 "Where is Dionysius?" queried Calanthe. "I 
 
294 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 had thought he would not miss this chance to gloat 
 over his foe? " 
 
 ' Trouble yourself no more, then," said Creugas. 
 " He is beholding all. Yet not where the people, 
 should they seek to riot, can harm him." 
 
 "Where, then?" asked Pythias, looking around. 
 
 " See you the high tower above the prison? Then 
 look closer. Upon its top, do you see three men 
 standing? The parapet shields them and half-con- 
 ceals them from the crowd." 
 
 "I see them. But " 
 
 " The central man of the three, he with the pur- 
 ple mantle which masks his lower face, is Dio- 
 nysius. His companions are Procles and Damocles." 
 
 " But, seeing you with us, will he not " 
 
 " Ere he can lay hands on me," said Creugas, " I 
 shall be far beyond his power. Nor will he risk ob- 
 servation by sending orders hither until the crowd 
 has dispersed. The execution is in the hands of the 
 Captain, yonder. He " 
 
 The Captain approached, and motioned Pythias 
 to mount the scaffold. Pythias obeyed; moving with 
 regal trend as though mounting a throne. Calanthe, 
 her arms locked about him, climbed the steps at his 
 side. The officer stepped forward to prevent her. 
 A word from Creugas checked him. And Creugas 
 himself mounted the steps at their heels. 
 
 Pythias looked about him; his keen eyes sweeping 
 the crowd that filled the agora and blackened the 
 
SUNSET 295 
 
 housetops. And, beyond, toward the plain he 
 stared. Nowhere could he see the hurrying figure 
 he sought. 
 
 The sun's lower rim touched the mountain top to 
 westward. 
 
CHAPTER XXVIII 
 
 FRIENDSHIP'S ALTAR 
 
 CALANTHE, even more eagerly than Pyth- 
 ias, gazed in every direction for sign of 
 Damon's coming. Out over the plain 
 roved her wide eyes; scanning such patches of the 
 distant road as were visible ; seeking ever for the 
 gray steed and his togaed rider. But the road 
 seemed empty. 
 
 Nor, through the crowd, was there sign of Damon 
 shouldering his way forward to save his friend. 
 
 " He will not come ! " she wept. 
 
 And at sight of her tears, a noise of sobbing rose 
 from the crowd. Women wept aloud. Men, in a 
 gust of righteous rage at her grief, jostled forward, 
 hands on knife hilts; threatening, growling, mouth- 
 ing: 
 
 Up to the ring of steel-clad soldiers who sur- 
 rounded the scaffold, rushed the crowd; only to give 
 back before the bristling line of sword points and 
 spears. 
 
 " He will not come ! " repeated the heartbroken 
 girl. 
 
 296 
 
Universal Film Manufacturing Co. 
 
 "DIONYSIUS, TYRANT THOUGH HE BE, WILL NEVER SEVER FRIEND- 
 SHIP SUCH AS THIS." 
 
FRIENDSHIP'S ALTAR 297 
 
 " May the gods help him in the misfortune that 
 has befallen him ! " said Pythias. " Were it hu- 
 manly possible, he would be here ere now. He has 
 been slain." 
 
 " Perhaps," suggested Creugus, " he suddenly 
 finds his life over-sweet to throw away." 
 
 " Old man," rebuked Pythias sternly, " your with- 
 ered heart has never known true friendship or stirred 
 to the call of honor. Else you would unsay those 
 lying words." 
 
 " Creugas ! " broke in Calanthe. " You have 
 pointed out Dionysius to me, on yonder tower. Take 
 me to him, take me to him, my friend." 
 
 1 To what purpose? " 
 
 " That. I may kneel at his feet and implore of him 
 my lover's life." 
 
 " As well kneel to yon sinking sun and bid it stand 
 still," answered Creugas. '' There is no mercy in 
 the tyrant. You would but humble yourself in v'ain, 
 to throw yourself on the mercy of the merciless." 
 
 1 You shall not do it, my Calanthe," Pythias en- 
 joined. " You shall not kneel to him. I am in the 
 hands of the gods; not of the tyrant." 
 
 " But I " 
 
 " It is useless," supplemented Creugas. " Even 
 were there time which there is not you could 
 not reach him. For fear of a rising of the people 
 in Pythias 7 behalf, Dionysius has not only gone to the 
 tower's roof, but he has had the doors behind him 
 
298 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 barred; and soldiers of his own household guard 
 stand s before the doors. No one can pass to him." 
 
 " Prisoner," intervened the Captain, coming to- 
 ward them, " the hour is at hand. Two minutes re- 
 main to you to make your peace with the gods." 
 
 " I have not waited until my death hour," re- 
 turned Pythias, " to make my peace on high. I go 
 to my death a brave and stainless soldier. Even as 
 I have sought to teach my followers how to live, so 
 now will I teach them how a true man can die. 
 Calanthe! " he added, turning to the weeping girl, a 
 catch in his own deep voice. " Sweetheart of mine, 
 I shall wait for you at the Gateway of Life. When- 
 ever the time may come, my own, I shall be waiting. 
 For, Elysium will not be Elysium until you share it 
 with me. Death cannot break the golden chain of 
 such love as ours. Be brave, my glorious one. 
 Tears are not for the bride of a soldier. One last 
 kiss the last of many thousand " 
 
 Their lips met in a long, long embrace. Then 
 
 " Should Damon still live, do not upbraid him," 
 Pythias besought. " He has much to live for. If 
 he be not dead, then have the gods in their wisdom 
 thrown some obstacle in the way of his return. He 
 is not false to me. Be sure of that. Tell him I held 
 him guiltless." 
 
 " The hour has fallen," said the officer, laying a 
 heavy hand on Pythias' arm. " Come ! " 
 
 Shaking off the touch, Pythias gathered the maiden 
 
FRIENDSHIP'S ALTAR 299 
 
 into his arms and strained her to his heart. Then, 
 gently disengaging her arms that clung so tensely to 
 him, and not daring to look again into her weeping 
 eyes, he turned and walked to the block. Kneeling 
 beside it he laid his head in the grisly hollow that 
 awaited it. Calanthe would have run forward, but 
 the Captain of the guard detained her. 
 
 The executioner stepped forward; spat on his cal- 
 loused palm, balanced the great ax in his grasp and, 
 swinging the weapon on high, awaited the Captain's 
 command to strike. 
 
 From the hushed crowd arose a gasp of mortal 
 horror. And, through that _gasp, came a cry ; 
 hoarse, spent, yet terrible in its intensity. An in- 
 stant's pause and then fifty voices from one end of 
 the agora took up the cry; and it swelled into a 
 yell of 
 
 "Damon! Damon! Damon! DAMON!" 
 
 The Captain, the word of command trembling on 
 his lips, turned to note the cause of the outcry. The 
 square's eastern end was in wild tumult. The close 
 packed watchers broke up in an eddying mass; an 
 eddy that swirled onward; nearer and ever nearer to 
 the scaffold. And now fifty voices had grown to a 
 thousand; all shrieking: 
 
 "Damon!" 
 
 The Captain's sharp glance pierced the nearing 
 eddy. He saw all at once that its nucleus was a di- 
 sheveled man, with blood streaming from a wound in 
 
3 oo DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 the shoulder and drenching his torn and soiled tunic; 
 a man whose head was bare, and whose gray locks 
 hung loose and disarranged, clotted with blood and 
 dirt; whose ashen face was a mask of torture. 
 
 "Hold!" called Creugas, imperiously thrusting 
 aside the headsman's poised ax. 'Tis Damon! " 
 
 Calanthe, with a shriek of joy, stared at the ap- 
 proaching man. Weak, staggering drunkenly, 
 Damon was forging ahead, toward the scaffold; 
 helped on in his weak progress by scores of strong 
 arms. 
 
 Pythias arose from his knees and ran to the scaf- 
 fold edge. 
 
 " My friend ! " he cried brokenly. " My friend ! 
 Oh, my friend! " 
 
 Damon had reached the scaffold's foot. Reeling 
 up the steps, he collapsed, exhausted, at the feet of 
 Pythias; gasping breathlessly: 
 
 " You live ! You still live/ Oh, all the gods be 
 praised ! I am on time. I could not urge my horse 
 through the thick crowd that walled in the square. 
 I" 
 
 " Damon ! " Calanthe was weeping, as she knelt 
 at the wounded man. " Forgive me that I doubted 
 you ! Forgive me that I doubted the holy power of 
 friendship ! " 
 
 " Friendship ! " muttered Damon, dazedly. 
 
 Then, at the word, a delirium of ecstasy gripped 
 him. Forgot were his fatigue, his wound, his weak- 
 
FRIENDSHIPS ALTAR 301 
 
 ness. To his feet he struggled and stood swaying 
 there, glaring wildly out over the tumultuous multi- 
 tude that shouted itself crazy on every side of 
 him. 
 
 "Have I fallen from my horse ?" he mumbled, 
 dizzily. " Or has the soldier slain me and am I in 
 the House of the Dead? The gods know I would 
 have died for my friend. And all that mere mortal 
 could do I did. Yet I I am too late ! " 
 
 "Damon! My friend! My brother!" cried 
 Pythias, seizing his hands. 
 
 The touch lent new life to the delirious man. He 
 stood erect, as though fresh and unwounded ; and he 
 laughed aloud in boyish triumph. 
 
 " You live ! " he exulted. " You do live ! Then 
 it was not a dream. Yet, there is the block. I stand 
 upon the scaffold. The gods be praised, it is for me 
 not you! Oh, this is the happiest hour of my 
 life. I am here! n 
 
 Staggering to the platform's edge, he threw out 
 his arms. Instantly the clamorous crowd grew silent 
 in expectation. 
 
 " Friendship triumphs 1 " cried Damon, his voice 
 ringing forth like a silver clarion. " Friendship tri- 
 umphs! And I, a Friend, am greater than your 
 King ! This scaffold is my throne ; a throne more 
 glorious than Jupiter's own. I am to die. Yet 
 Friendship shall live. Dionysius lives, yet his glory 
 shall die; while mine shall wax ever brighter and 
 
302 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 brighter until it has eclipsed the sun itself. lo Tri- 
 omphe! " 
 
 A roar from ten thousand throats hysterically 
 caught up the cry; and walls and hills echoed with 
 " lo Trlomphe! " 
 
 "Dionysius! Tyrant!" screamed Damon, car- 
 ried away by the thrill of cheers. " Did ever Syra- 
 cuse acclaim you as now in my person it acclaims 
 Friendship? When were you hailed by shouts like 
 these? Again, my friends! Shout! And let the 
 noise of your applause rise to high heaven itself! 
 lo Triomphe!" 
 
 " lo Triomphe!" roared ten thousand voices. 
 
 " Tell me ! " cried Damon, laughing wildly as he 
 faced the captain of the guard. " Where is your 
 tyrant master? Where does he hide? I fain would 
 look on his defeat and laugh at him." 
 
 " Then," spoke a voice behind him, " look and 
 laugh!" 
 
 Damon's bloodshot eyes turned and met those of 
 Creugas. And, as he looked, Creugas raised both 
 hands to his own head and face. 
 
 In one gesture he drew away his hands and with 
 them came the gray hair and beard. A sweep of his 
 cloak-edge and the disfiguring red blotches and dark 
 lines were wiped from his cheeks. 
 
 " Dionysius! " gasped Calanthe. 
 
 " Dionysius! " echoed Damon and Pythias, in one 
 breath. 
 
FRIENDSHIP'S ALTAR 303 
 
 " Dionysius," replied the King, his inscrutable 
 gaze resting on each in turn, " the tyrant on whom 
 you would fain i look and laugh.* What, man? " he 
 went on, as the three stared upon him aghast, in- 
 credulous, spellbound. " No laughter? Yet I 
 merit laughter. For I am become the butt of mine 
 own jest." 
 
 Again his hawk eyes swept them. And still they 
 were silent. To Pythias and to Calanthe, the trans- 
 formation of the doddering old meddler, Creugas, 
 into Dionysius himself, was little short of miracu- 
 lous. It held them dumb. 
 
 Damon, on the other hand, was scarce fit for 
 speech. The momentary exaltation had passed; and 
 weakness and pain surged wave-like over him. He 
 had kept his vow. He had returned to lay down his 
 life for his friend. He was in time for the sacrifice. 
 Nothing else, for the instant, really mattered. That 
 the tyrant had suddenly appeared out of space and 
 confronted him roused scant interest in the exhausted 
 man's mind. 
 
 " Yes," resumed Dionysius, a half-sad smile curv- 
 ing his thin lips, " I am become the butt of mine own 
 sorry wit. I pray your heed while I tell in a mere 
 mouthful of words the tale of the jest. Pythias, I 
 have ever envied you : Your youth, your strength, 
 your power to make the commons love you. Aye, 
 and your power to win this maid. But most of all 
 I envied you the one thing which I, with all my wiles 
 
3 o 4 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 and all my force have never been able to win. Can 
 you guess what that is? " 
 
 " Respect? " queried Pythias, at a venture. 
 
 Dionysius winced, ever so little; then forced back 
 the wry smile to his lips. 
 
 " Perhaps Respect were worth the envying," he 
 made reply. " And perhaps I have it not; but only 
 its twin brother, Fear. Yet it was not of Respect 
 that I spoke ; but of Friendship. Yes, of that friend- 
 ship which knitted your soul to Damon's with ropes 
 of steel ; and that I now know must knit it so until the 
 mortal casket is forever stilled." 
 
 He paused, then went on : 
 
 " I envied such wondrous Friendship. I could 
 inspire fear, flattery, service, and even a cringing rev- 
 erence. But even as I greedily filled my purse with 
 such coins as those, I realized they were of base 
 metal and that friendship alone is of true gold. And 
 Friendship was beyond my winning. So, like the fox 
 in the fable of ^Esop the Slave, I feigned to scorn 
 what was above my reach. I told others yea, and 
 I told myself that Friendship was but an empty 
 name; that at the first clash with Self-interest, it 
 would crumble to nothingness. Thus did Dionysius, 
 your King, seek to console himself for what could 
 never be his. And thus did he seek to make gratified 
 ambition take its place; even as men who are starv- 
 ing chew bits of wood or straw in place of food. 
 
 " Then, this day, came an hour when I felt I could 
 
FRIENDSHIP'S ALTAR 305 
 
 prove, once and forever, how frail a thing is Friend- 
 ship; and that henceforth I should the less miss its 
 possession. Therefore, I let Damon go free while 
 you stayed in his place, to take on yourself his fate 
 should he not return. I was full sure he would not 
 come back to meet his death. For I knew the love 
 of wife and child are all-powerful. Combined with 
 the love of life, I believed they would burst Friend- 
 ship's stoutest bonds." 
 
 " You believed that of me? " cried Damon, 
 " and yet you let me go? " 
 
 " To prove the worthlessness of Friendship was a 
 far dearer wish to me than to glut my vengeance on a 
 foe. So I freed you ; with no thought that I should 
 again set eyes on you. But not even yet was I content. 
 I was fain to prove Friendship's weakness in the 
 case of Pythias as well. Wherefore, I spread before 
 him such temptation as I believed no mortal could 
 resist. I played upon every emotion a true man may 
 feel. I offered him freedom, the love of his be- 
 trothed, reunion with his loved father, the chance to 
 begin life afresh in other lands. He refused for 
 Friendship's sake. I told him you were slain and 
 that his sacrifice was futile. Still, in Friendship's 
 name, he would not yield. I sought to shake his re- 
 solve by pointing out dangers that awaited Calanthe. 
 In all, he was steadfast. And at last I knew that at 
 least one-half of my experiment had failed. To the 
 very foot of the scaffold I tempted him. And he 
 
306 DAMON AND PYTHIAS 
 
 stood firm. Then, even as I took comfort in the 
 thought that you at least had proven false, you re- 
 turned. The jest is at my expense. You do well 
 to say you wish to laugh at me. For I am beaten. 
 Yet not by any mortal ; but by something that is im- 
 mortal ; by Friendship." 
 
 " And now," broke in Damon, " now that you have 
 yourself proven how weak is the strongest monarch, 
 compared with Friendship's power, have done with 
 speaking of that which you can never hope to under- 
 stand. And turn to that which is within your pow- 
 ers. I am your enemy. I sought to kill you. I am 
 here upon the scaffold to pay my debt. Glut your 
 revenge to the full. Bid your headsman to strike. 
 I am ready." 
 
 4 To strike?" echoed Dionysius, as if but half- 
 comprehending; then : " When the high gods thwart 
 our puny mortal plans, do we repay them by laying 
 impious hands upon their altars? Nay, we dare not; 
 even if we would. And to-day I am face to face 
 with that which is holier and higher than all the gods 
 of Olympus. I stand before the altar of Friendship. 
 And I dare not defile so sacred a shrine. In slaying 
 you, I would not be ridding myself of a foe. I 
 would be committing sacrilege upon a Deity." 
 
 " I am to be imprisoned, then, instead? Far 
 rather would I die. If I am to be parted from those 
 I love, let it be by death, not by a living sepulchre of 
 stone." 
 
FRIENDSHIP'S ALTAR 307 
 
 " I spoke not of prisons. Friendship cannot be 
 fettered. Peace ! " as he raised his hand to check 
 Damon's exclamation of wonder. " Peace until I 
 have issued my commands! " 
 
 To the Captain he continued: 
 
 " Send forth a herald to proclaim that Damon is 
 pardoned ! The ' tyrant ' Dionysius gives him back 
 his life. His life and his liberty. Yet not to him, 
 but to Friendship ! To that which all my power can- 
 not buy me ; nor all his misfortunes snatch from him. 
 He is free!" 
 
 THE END 
 
STORIES OF RARE CHARM BY 
 
 GENE STRATTON-PORTER 
 
 Hay be had wfaeraver books art said. Ask for Crossot and Dunlap's list. 
 THE HARVESTER 
 
 Illustrated by W. L. Jacobs 
 
 "The Harvester," David Langston, is 
 a man of the woods and fields, who draws 
 his living from the prodigal hand of Mother 
 Nature herself. It the book had nothing in 
 it but the splendid figure of this man, with 
 his sure gnp on life, his superb optimism, 
 and his almost miraculous knowledge of 
 nature secrets, it would be notable. But 
 when the Girl comes to his "Medicine 
 Woods," and the Harvester's whole sound, 
 healthy, large outdoor being realizes that 
 this is the highest point of life which has 
 come to him there begins a. romance, 
 troubled and interrupted, yet of the rarest idyllic quality. 
 
 FRECKLES. Decorations by E. Stetson Crawford 
 
 Freckles is a nameless waif when the tale opens, but the way in 
 which he takes hold of life; the nature friendships he forms in the 
 great Limberlost Swamp; the manner in which everyone who meets 
 nim succumbs to the charm of his engaging personality; and his love- 
 story with "The Angel" are full of real sentiment. 
 
 A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST. 
 Illustrated by Wladyslaw T. Brenda. 
 
 sheer beauty of her soul, and the purity of her vision, she wins from 
 barren and unpromising surroundings those rewards of high courage. 
 It is an inspiring story of a life worth while and the rich beauties 
 of the out-of-doors are strewn through all its pages. 
 
 AT THE FOOT OF THE RAINBOW. 
 
 Illustrations in colors by Oliver Kemp. Design and decorations by 
 Ralph Fletcher Seymour. 
 
 The scene of this charming, idyllic love story is laid in Central 
 Indiana. The story is one of devoted friendship, and tender self- 
 sacrificing love; the friendship that gives freely without return, and 
 the love that seeks first the happiness of the object. The novel is 
 brimful of the most beautiful word painting of nature, and its pathos 
 and tender sentiment win endear it to all. 
 
 Ask for compete free list of C. & D. Po^vJar Copyrighted Fiction 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP, 526 WEST 26th ST., NEW YORK 
 
JOHN FOX;JR'S. 
 
 STORIES OF THE KENTUCKY MOUNTAINS 
 
 May be had wherever books are told. *l Ask for Gromt and Dunlap's list. 
 
 THE TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE. / 
 Illustrated by F. C. Yohn. 
 
 > The "lonesome pine" from which the 
 story takes its name was a tall tree that 
 stood in solitary splendor on a mountain 
 top. The fame of the pine lured a young 
 engineer through Kentucky to catch the 
 trail, and when he finally climbed to its 
 shelter he found not only the pine but the 
 foot-prints of a girl. And the girl proved 
 
 engineer a madder chase 
 of the lonesome pine." 
 
 THE LITTLE SHEPHERD OF KINGDOM COME 
 Illustrated by F. C. Yohn. 
 
 This is a story of Kentucky, in a settlement known as "King- 
 dom Come." It is a life rude, semi-barbarous; but natural 
 and honest, from which often springs the flower of civilization. 
 
 " Chad." the "little shepherd" did not know who he was nor 
 whence he came he had just wandered from door to door since 
 early childhood, seeking shelter with kindly mountaineers who 
 gladly fathered and mothered this waif about whom there was 
 such a mystery a charming waif, by the way, who could play 
 the banjo better that anyone else in the mountains. 
 
 A KNIGHT OF THE CUMBERLAND./ 
 Illustrated by F. C. Yohn. 
 
 The scenes are laid along the waters of the Cumberland* 
 the lair of moonshiner and f eudsman. The knight is a moon- 
 shiner's son, and the heroine a beautiful girl perversely chris- 
 tened "The Blight." Two impetuous young Southerners' fall 
 under the spell of "The Blight's " charms and she learns what 
 a large part jealousy and pistols have in the love making of the 
 mountaineers. 
 
 Included in this volume is " Hell fer-Sartain" and other 
 stories, some of Mr. Fox's most entertaining Cumberland valley 
 narratives. 
 
 Ask for complete fret list of G. & D. Popular Copyrighted Fiction 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP, 526 WEST 26th ST., NEW YORK 
 
MYRTLE REED'S NOVELS 
 
 May be had wherever books are sold. A;k for firosset & Dunlsp's list 
 
 LAVENDER AND OLD LACE. 
 
 A charming story of a quaint corner of 
 New England where bygone romance finds a 
 modem parallel. The story centers round 
 the coming of love to the young people on 
 the staff of a newspaper and it is one of the 
 prettiest, sweetest and quaintest of old fash- 
 ioned love stories, * * * a rare book, ex- 
 quisite in spirit and conception, full of 
 delicate fancy, of tenderness, of delightful 
 humor and spontaniety. 
 
 A SPINNER IN THE SUN. 
 
 Miss Myrtle Reed may always be depended upon to write a story 
 in which poetry, charm, tenderness and humor are combined into a 
 :lever and entertaining book. Her characters are delightful and she 
 always displays a quaint humor of expression and a quiet feeling of 
 pathos which give a touch of active realism to all her writings. In 
 "A Spinner in the Sun" she tells an old-fashioned love story, of a 
 veiled lady who lives in solitude and whose features her neighbors 
 have never seen. There is a mystery at the heart of the book that 
 throws over it the glamour of romance. 
 
 THE MASTER'S VIOLIN, 
 
 A love story in a musical atmosphere. A picturesque, old Ger- 
 man virtuoso is the reverent possessor of a genuine "Cremona." He 
 consents to take for his pupil a handsome youth who proves to have 
 an aptitude for technique, but not the soul of an artist The youth 
 has led the happy, careless life of a modern, well-to-do young Amer* 
 lean and he cannot, with his meagre past, express the love, the passion 
 and the tragedies of life and all its happy phases as can the master 
 who has lived life in all its fulness. But a girl comes into his life a 
 beautiful bit of human driftwood that his aunt had taken into her 
 heart and home, and through his passionate love for her, he learns 
 the lessons that life has to give and his soul awakes. 
 
 Founded on a fact that all artists realize. 
 
 Ask for a complete free list of G. & D. Popular Copyrighted Fiction 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP, 526 WEST 26th ST., NEW YORK 
 
GROSSET& DUN LAP'S 
 
 DRAMATIZED NOVELS 
 
 THE KIND THAT ARE MAKING THEATRICAL HISTORY 
 May be had wherever books art sold. Ask for Gresset & Dunlap's Oat 
 
 WITHIN THE LAW. By Bayard Veiller & Marvin Dana. 
 Illustrated by Wm. Charles Cooke. 
 
 This is a novellzation of the immensely successful play which ran 
 for two years in New York and Chicago. 
 
 The plot of this powerful novel is of a young woman's revenge 
 directed against her employer who allowed her to be sent to prison 
 for three years on a charge of theft, of which she was innocent. 
 
 WHAT HAPPENED TO MARY. By Robert Carlton Brown. 
 Illustrated with scenes from the play. 
 
 This is a narrative of a young and innocent country girl who is 
 suddenly thrown into the very heart of New York, "the land of her 
 dreams, where she is exposed to all sorts of temptations and dangers. 
 
 The story of Mary is being told in moving pictures and played in 
 theatres all over the world. 
 
 THE RETURN OF PETER GRIMM. By David Belasco. 
 Illustrated by John Rae, 
 
 This is a novelization of the popular play in which David War, 
 field, as Old Peter Grimm, scored such a remarkable success. 
 
 The story is spectacular and extremely pathetic but withal, 
 powerful, both as a book and as a play. 
 THE GARDEN OF ALLAH. By Robert Hichens.; 
 
 This novel is an intense, glowing epic of the great desert, sunlit 
 barbaric, with its marvelous atmosphere of Yastness and loneliness, 
 
 It is a book of rapturous beauty, vivid in word painting. The play 
 has been staged with r -vgnificent cast and gorgeous properties. 
 BEN HUR. A Tale of the Christ. By General Lew Wallace. 
 
 The whole world has placed this famous Religious-Historical Ro- 
 mance on a height of pre-eminence which no other novel of its time 
 has reached. 1 he clashing of rivalry and the deepest human passions, 
 the perfect reproduction of brilliant Roman life, and the tense, fierce 
 atmosphere of the arena have kept their deep fascination. A tre- 
 mendous dramatic success. 
 
 BOUGHT AftD PAID FOR. By George Broadhurst and Arthur 
 Hornblow. Illustrated with scenes from the play. 
 
 A stupendous arraignment of modern marriage which has created 
 an interest on the stage that is almost unparalleled. The scenes are laid 
 in New York, and deal with conditions among both the rich and poor. 
 
 The interest of the story turns on the day-by-day developments 
 which show the young wife the price she has paid. _ 
 
 A sk for compete fret list of G. & D. Popular Co^yriglted Fiction 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP, 526 WEST 26th ST.. NEW YORK 
 
YB 39975 
 
 912964 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
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