e
Pellenian Proxenus prisoner and, although suffering from scarcity at the
time, sent him back without a ransom. "As generous as brave," such is
their well-earned title who were capable of such performance.

The heroic resolution with which these men maintained their loyalty to
their friends is manifest. When excluded from the fruits of their own
soil, they contrived to live, partly by helping themselves from the
enemy's territory, partly by purchasing from Corinth, though to reach
that market they must run the gauntlet of a thousand risks; and having
reached it their troubles began afresh. There were difficulties
in providing the requisite sum, difficulties in arranging with the
purveyors, and it was barely possible to find sureties for the very
beasts which should carry home their marketing. They had reached the
depth of despair, and were absolutely at a loss what to do, when they
arranged with Chares to escort their convoy. Once safe inside Phlius,
they begged him to help them to convey their useless and sick folk to
Pellene. (14) These they left at that place; and after making purchases
and packing as many beasts of burthen as they could, they set off to
return in the night, not in ignorance that they would be laid in wait
for by the enemy, but persuaded that the want of provisions was a worse
evil than mere fighting.

(14) What is the date of this incident? See above, "Hell." VII. ii. 3;
below VII. iv. 17.

The men of Phlius pushed forward with Chares; presently they stumbled on
the enemy and at once grappled to their work. Pressing hard on the foe,
they called cheerily to one another, and shouted at the same time to
Chares to bring up his aid. In short, the victory was theirs; and the
enemy was driven off the road; and so they got themselves and their
supplies safely home. The long night-watching superinduced sleep which
lasted well into the next day. But Chares was no sooner out of bed then
he was accosted by the cavalry and the pick of the heavy infantry with
the following appeal: "Chares, to-day you have it in your power to
perform the noblest deed of arms. The Sicyonians are fortifying an
outpost on our borders, they have plenty of stone-masons but a mere
handful of hoplites. We the knights of Phlius and we the flower of our
infantry force will lead the way; and you shall follow after with your
mercenaries. Perhaps when you appear on the scene you will find the
whole thing finished, or perhaps your com