d of me quietly. They know that I intend going on board a Phoecean
trireme, which sets sail for Sigeum at a very early hour to-morrow
morning, and have therefore no time to lose, if they will seize me. Your
garden, Rhodopis, is entirely surrounded, and were I to remain here,
your house would no longer be respected as a sanctuary; it would be
searched and I taken in it. There can be no doubt that a watch has been
set over the Phoecean ship also. Blood shall not be shed in vain on my
account."

"But you dare not surrender!" cried Aristomachus.

"No, no, I have a plan," shouted Theopompus the Milesian merchant. "At
sunrise to-morrow a ship sails for Miletus laden with Egyptian corn,
but not from Naukratis, from Canopus. Take the noble Persian's horse and
ride thither. We will cut a way for you through the garden."

"But," said Gyges, "our little band is not strong enough to carry out
such an attempt. We number in all ten men, and of these only three have
swords; our enemies, on the other hand, number at least a hundred, and
are armed to the teeth."

"Lydian!" cried Aristomachus, "wert thou ten times more fainthearted
than thou art, and were our enemies double their number, I at least,
will fight them!"

Phanes grasped his friend's hand. Gyges turned pale. This brave warrior
had called him fainthearted; and again he could find no words to answer;
for at every stirring emotion his tongue failed him. Suddenly the
blood mounted to his face; his words came quickly and with decision:
"Athenian, follow me! and thou, Spartan, who art not wont to use words
heedlessly, call no man fainthearted again before thou knowest him.
Friends, Phanes is safe, Farewell, father!"

The remaining guests surveyed these two departing men in silent wonder.
As they stood there, silently listening, the sound of two horses
galloping swiftly away fell on their ear, and after a longer interval a
prolonged whistle from the Nile and a cry of distress.

"Where is Knakias?" said Rhodopis to one of her slaves.

"He went into the garden with Phanes and the Persian," was the
answer, and as it was being spoken, the old slave re-entered, pale and
trembling.

"Have you seen my son?" cried Croesus. "Where is Phanes?"

"I was to bid you farewell from them both."

"Then they are gone.--Whither? How was it possible?"...

"The Athenian and the Persian," began the slave, "had a slight dispute
in the anteroom. This over, I was told to divest both of their ro