Alone of human
activities it demands a brute's strength, an iron will, a serpent's
intellect, a lion's courage--all in one. And of him who has these things in
justest measure, history writes, "He conquered." It was because Mardonius
seemed to possess all these, to foresee everything, to surmount
everything, that Glaucon despaired for the fate of Hellas, even more than
when he beheld the crushing armaments of the Persian.

Yet for long it seemed as if the host would march even to Athens without
battle, without invoking Mardonius's skill. The king crossed Thrace and
Macedonia, meeting only trembling hospitality from the cities along his
route. At Doriscus he had held a review of his army, and smiled when the
fawning scribes told how one million seven hundred thousand foot and
eighty thousand horse followed his banners.(8) Every fugitive and spy from
southern Hellas told how the hearts of the stanchest patriots were
sinking, how everywhere save in Athens and Sparta loud voices urged the
sending of "earth and water,"--tokens of submission to the irresistible
king. At the pass of Tempe covering Thessaly, Glaucon, who knew the hopes
of Themistocles, had been certain the Hellenes would make a stand. Rumour
had it that ten thousand Greek infantry were indeed there, and ready for
battle. But the outlaw's expectations were utterly shattered. To the
disgust of the Persian lords, who dearly loved brisk fighting, it was soon
told how the cowardly Hellenes had fled by ship, leaving the rich plains
of Thessaly bare to the invader.

Thus was blasted Glaucon's last hope. Hellas was doomed. He almost looked
to see Themistocles coming as ambassador to bring the homage of Athens.
Since his old life seemed closed to the outlaw, he allowed Mardonius to
have his will with him,--to teach him to act, speak, think, as an Oriental.
He even bowed himself low before the king, an act rewarded by being
commanded one evening to play at dice with majesty itself. Xerxes was
actually gracious enough to let his new subject win from him three
handsome Syrian slave-boys.

"You Hellenes are becoming wise," announced the monarch one day, when the
Locrian envoys came with their earth and water. "If you can learn to speak
the truth, you will equal even the virtues of the Aryans."

"Your Majesty has not found me a liar," rejoined the Athenian, warmly.

"You gather our virtues apace. I must consider how I can reward you by
promotion."

"The king is overwhe