e army himself.

During eight years the constant drilling of troops, manufacture of arms,
collecting of provisions, and construction of roads, were kept up all
through Asia. A mighty fleet lay at anchor, and the king was almost
ready to start. Rumors of these great preparations had, of course, come
to the ears of the Greeks. All hearts were filled with trouble and fear;
for the coming army was far larger than the one the Athenians had
defeated at Marathon, and they could not expect to be so fortunate
again.

When the Spartans saw the terror of the people, they regretted having
angered the king by killing the Persian messengers, and wondered what
they could do to disarm his wrath. Two young men, Bu'lis and
Sper'thi-as, then nobly resolved to offer their lives in exchange for
those that had been taken.

They therefore set out for Persia, and, having obtained permission to
enter the palace, appeared before the king. Here the courtiers bade them
fall down before the monarch, and do homage to him, as they saw the
others do. But the proud young men refused to do so, saying that such
honor could be shown only to their gods, and that it was not the custom
of their country to humble themselves thus. Xerxes, to the surprise of
his courtiers did not at all resent their refusal to fall down before
him, but kindly bade them make their errand known.

Thus invited to speak, one of them replied, "King of Persia, some years
ago our people killed two of your father's messengers. It was wrong to
touch an ambassador, we know. You are about to visit our country to seek
revenge for this crime. Desist, O king! for we have come hither, my
friend and I, to offer our lives in exchange for those our people have
taken. Here we are! Do with us as you will."

Xerxes was filled with admiration when he heard this speech, and saw the
handsome youths standing quietly before him, ready to die to atone for
their country's wrong. Instead of accepting their offer, he loaded them
with rich gifts, and sent them home unharmed, telling them he would not
injure the innocent, for he was more just than the Lac-e-dae-mo'ni-ans.

But a few months later, when his preparations were complete, Xerxes set
out with an army which is said to have numbered more than two million
fighting men. As they were attended by slaves and servants of all kinds,
some of the old historians say that ten millions of human beings were
included in this mighty host.

XLVIII. THE