answer.

122. The cause then of the death of Polycrates is reported in these two
different ways, and we may believe whichever of them we please. Oroites
however, having his residence at that Magnesia which is situated upon
the river Maiander, sent Myrsos the son of Gyges, a Lydian, to Samos
bearing a message, since he had perceived the designs of Polycrates. For
Polycrates was the first of the Hellenes of whom we have any knowledge,
who set his mind upon having command of the sea, excepting Minos the
Cnossian and any other who may have had command of the sea before his
time. Of that which we call mortal race Polycrates was the first; and
he had great expectation of becoming ruler of Ionia and of the islands.
Oroites accordingly, having perceived that he had this design, sent a
message to him and said thus: "Oroites to Polycrates saith as follows:
I hear that thou art making plans to get great power, and that thou hast
not wealth according to thy high thoughts. Now therefore if thou shalt
do as I shall say, thou wilt do well for thyself on the one hand, and
also save me from destruction: for king Cambyses is planning death for
me, and this is reported to me so that I cannot doubt it. Do thou then
carry away out of danger both myself and with me my wealth; and of
this keep a part for thyself and a part let me keep, and then so far
as wealth may bring it about, thou shalt be ruler of all Hellas. And if
thou dost not believe that which I say about the money, send some one,
whosoever happens to be most trusted by thee, and to him I will show
it."

123. Polycrates having heard this rejoiced, and was disposed to agree;
and as he had a great desire, it seems, for wealth, he first sent
Maiandrios the son of Maiandrios, a native of Samos who was his
secretary, to see it: this man was the same who not long after these
events dedicated all the ornaments of the men's chamber in the palace of
Polycrates, ornaments well worth seeing, as an offering to the temple of
Hera. Oroites accordingly, having heard that the person sent to examine
might be expected soon to come, did as follows, that is to say, he
filled eight chests with stones except a small depth at the very top of
each, and laid gold above upon the stones; then he tied up the chests
and kept them in readiness. So Maiandrios came and looked at them and
brought back word to Polycrates:

124, and he upon that prepared to set out thither, although the diviners
and also his fr