of
them Sikinnos his servant again was one. When these came to Attica, the
rest stayed behind in the ship, while Sikinnos went up to Xerxes and
spoke these words: "Themistocles the son of Neocles sent me, who is
commander of the Athenians, and of all the allies the best and ablest
man, to tell thee that Themistocles the Athenian, desiring to be of
service to thee, held back the Hellenes when they were desirous to
pursue after thy ships and to destroy the bridges on the Hellespont. Now
therefore thou mayest make thy way home quite undisturbed." They having
signified this sailed away again.

111. The Hellenes meanwhile, having resolved not to pursue after the
ships of the Barbarians further, nor to sail to the Hellespont to break
up the passage, were investing Andros intending to take it: for
the Andrians were the first of the islanders who, being asked by
Themistocles for money, refused to give it: and when Themistocles made
proposals to them and said that the Athenians had come having on their
side two great deities, Persuasion and Compulsion, and therefore they
must by all means give them money, they replied to this that not without
reason, as it now appeared, was Athens great and prosperous, since the
Athenians were well supplied with serviceable deities; but as for the
Andrians, they were poor, 79 having in this respect attained to the
greatest eminence, and there were two unprofitable deities which never
left their island but always remained attached to the place, Poverty,
namely, and Helplessness: and the Andrians being possessed of these
deities would not give money; for never could the power of the Athenians
get the better of their inability. 80

112. These, I say, having thus made answer and having refused to give
the money, were being besieged: and Themistocles not ceasing in his
desire for gain sent threatening messages to the other islands and asked
them for money by the same envoys, employing those whom he had before
sent to the king; 81 and he said that if they did not give that which
was demanded of them, he would bring the fleet of the Hellenes against
them to besiege and take them. Thus saying he collected great sums of
money from the Carystians and the Parians, who being informed how Andros
was being besieged, because it had taken the side of the Medes, and how
Themistocles was held in more regard than any of the other commanders,
sent money for fear of this. Whether any others of the islanders also