ruled from the bema was he
who paced the state cabin of the _Nausicaae_ a few nights after the
evacuation. For _he_ at least knew the morn would bring Hellas her doom.
There had been a gloomy council that afternoon. They had seen the
Acropolis flame two days before. The great fleet of Xerxes rode off the
Attic havens. At the gathering of the Greek chiefs in Eurybiades's cabin
Themistocles had spoken one word many times,--"Fight!"

To which Adeimantus, the craven admiral of Corinth, and many another had
answered:--

"Delay! Back to the Isthmus! Risk nothing!"

Then at last the son of Neocles silenced them, not with arguments but
threats. "Either here in the narrow straits we can fight the king or not
at all. In the open seas his numbers can crush us. Either vote to fight
here or we Athenians sail for Italy and leave you to stem Xerxes as you
can."

There had been sullen silence after that, the admirals misliking the
furrow drawn above Themistocles's eyes. Then Eurybiades had haltingly
given orders for battle.

That had been the command, but as the Athenian left the Spartan flag-ship
in his pinnace he heard Globryas, the admiral of Sicyon, muttering,
"Headstrong fool--he shall not destroy us!" and saw Adeimantus turn back
for a word in Eurybiades's ear. The Spartan had shaken his head, but
Themistocles did not deceive himself. In the battle at morn half of the
Hellenes would go to battle asking more "how escape?" than "how conquer?"
and that was no question to ask before a victory.

The cabin was empty now save for the admiral. On the deck above the hearty
shouts of Ameinias the trierarch, and chanting of the seamen told that on
the _Nausicaae_ at least there would be no slackness in the fight. The ship
was being stripped for action, needless spars and sails sent ashore, extra
oars made ready, and grappling-irons placed. "Battle" was what every
Athenian prayed for, but amongst the allies Themistocles knew it was
otherwise. The crucial hour of his life found him nervous, moody, silent.
He repelled the zealous subalterns who came for orders.

"My directions have been given. Execute them. Has Aristeides come yet?"
The last question was to Simonides, who had been half-companion,
half-counsellor, in all these days of storm.

"He is not yet come from AEgina."

"Leave me, then."

Themistocles's frown deepened. The others went out.

The state cabin was elegant, considering its place. Themistocles had
furnished it ac