hout permission, is worthy of
death."

"Have you forsaken it with your own free-will?"

"Yes."

"For what reason?"

"To escape dishonor."

"What was your crime?"

"I had committed none."

"You were accused unjustly?"

"Yes."

"Who was the author of your ill-fortune?"

"Yourself."

Croesus started from his seat. The serious tone and gloomy face of
the Spartan proved that this was no jest, and those who sat near the
speakers, and had been following this strange dialogue, were alarmed and
begged Aristomachus to explain his words.

He hesitated and seemed unwilling to speak; at last, however, at the
king's summons, he began thus:

"In obedience to the oracle, you, Croesus, had chosen us Lacedaemonians,
as the most powerful among the Hellenes, to be your allies against the
might of Persia; and you gave us gold for the statue of Apollo on Mount
Thornax. The ephori, on this, resolved to present you with a gigantic
bronze wine-bowl, richly wrought. I was chosen as bearer of this gift.
Before reaching Sardis our ship was wrecked in a storm. The wine-cup
sank with it, and we reached Samos with nothing but our lives. On
returning home I was accused by enemies, and those who grudged my good
fortune, of having sold both ship and wine-vessel to the Samians. As
they could not convict me of the crime, and had yet determined on my
ruin, I was sentenced to two days' and nights' exposure on the pillory.
My foot was chained to it during the night; but before the morning of
disgrace dawned, my brother brought me secretly a sword, that my honor
might be saved, though at the expense of my life. But I could not
die before revenging myself on the men who had worked my ruin; and
therefore, cutting the manacled foot from my leg, I escaped, and hid in
the rushes on the banks of the Furotas. My brother brought me food and
drink in secret; and after two months I was able to walk on the wooden
leg you now see. Apollo undertook my revenge; he never misses his mark,
and my two worst opponents died of the plague. Still I durst not return
home, and at length took ship from Gythium to fight against the Persians
under you, Croesus. On landing at Teos, I heard that you were king no
longer, that the mighty Cyrus, the father of yonder beautiful youth, had
conquered the powerful province of Lydia in a few weeks, and reduced the
richest of kings to beggary."

Every guest gazed at Aristomachus in admiration. Croesus shook his hard
hand; and