had never
ventured before. Artazostra was on the point of calling her eunuchs and
setting forth for Xerxes's tent to plead for the life of her husband, when
suddenly Pharnuches, Mardonius's body-servant, came with news that
dispelled at least the fears of the women.

"I am bidden to tell your Ladyships that my master has silenced the
tongues of his enemies and is restored to the king's good favor. And I am
bidden also to command the Lord Prexaspes to come to the royal tent. His
Majesty has need of him."

Glaucon went, questioning much as to the service to be required. He did
not soon forget the scene that followed. The great pavilion was lit by a
score of resinous flambeaux. The red light shook over the green and purple
hangings, the silver plating of the tent-poles. At one end rose the golden
throne of the king; before it in a semicircle the stools of a dozen or
more princes and commanders. In the centre stood Mardonius questioning a
coarse-featured, ill-favoured fellow, who by his sheepskin dress and
leggings Glaucon instantly recognized as a peasant of this Malian country.
The king beckoned the Athenian into the midst and was clearly too eager to
stand on ceremony.

"Your Greek is better than Mardonius's, good Prexaspes. In a matter like
this we dare not trust too many interpreters. This man speaks the rough
dialect of his country, and few can understand him. Can you interpret?"

"I am passing familiar with the Locrian and Malian dialect, your Majesty."

"Question this man further as to what he will do for us. We have
understood him but lamely."

Glaucon proceeded to comply. The man, who was exceeding awkward and ill at
ease in such august company, spoke an outrageous shepherd's jargon which
even the Athenian understood with effort. But his business came out
speedily. He was Ephialtes, the son of one Eurydemus, a Malian, a
dull-witted grazier of the country, brought to Mardonius by hope of
reward. The general, partly understanding his purpose, had brought him to
the king. In brief, he was prepared, for due compensation, to lead the
Persians by an almost unknown mountain path over the ridge of OEta and to
the rear of Leonidas's position at Thermopylae, where the Hellenes,
assailed front and rear, would inevitably be destroyed.

As Glaucon interpreted, the shout of relieved gladness from the Persian
grandees made the tent-cloths shake. Xerxes's eyes kindled. He clapped his
hands.

"Reward? He shall have ten t