re you do a thing which, if it slip, may give you into the hands of the
Barbarians to be torn by wild horses or of the Greeks to be crucified?"

"But it shall not slip!"

"_Euge!_ that is a noble answer. Now let us come."

"Whither?"

"To Eurybiades's flag-ship. Then I can know whether you must risk the
deed."

Themistocles touched a bronze gong; a marine adjutant entered.

"My pinnace," ordered the admiral. As the man went out, Themistocles took
a long himation from the locker and wrapped it around the newcomer.

"Since even Simonides and I did not recognize you in your long beard, I
doubt if you are in danger of detection to-night. But remember your name
is Critias. You can dye your hair if you come safe back from this
adventure. Have you eaten?"

"Who has hunger now?"

Themistocles laughed.

"So say all of us. But if the gifts of Demeter cannot strengthen, it is
not so with those of Dionysus. Drink."

He took from a hook a leathern bottle and poured out a hornful of hot
Chian. Glaucon did not refuse. After he had finished the admiral did
likewise. Then Glaucon in turn asked questions.

"Where is my wife?"

"In the town of Salamis, with her father; do you know she has borne--"

"A son. Are both well?"

"Well. The child is fair as the son of Leto."

They could see the light flash out of the eyes of the outlaw. He turned
toward the statue and stretched out his hand.

"O Aphrodite, I bless thee!" Then again to the admiral, "And Hermione is
not yet given to Democrates in marriage?" The words came swiftly.

"Not yet. Hermippus desires it. Hermione resists. She calls Democrates
your destroyer."

Glaucon turned away his face that they might not behold it.

"The god has not yet forgotten mercy," Simonides thought he heard him say.

"The pinnace is waiting, _kyrie_," announced the orderly from the
companionway.

"Let the deserter's skiff be towed behind," ordered Themistocles, once on
deck, "and let Sicinnus also go with me."

The keen-eyed Asiatic took his place with Themistocles and Glaucon in the
stern. The sturdy boatmen sent the pinnace dancing. All through the brief
voyage the admiral was at whispers with Sicinnus. As they reached the
Spartan flag-ship, half a score of pinnaces trailing behind told how the
Peloponnesian admirals were already aboard clamouring at Eurybiades for
orders to fly. From the ports of the stern-cabin the glare of many lamps
spread wavering bars of light across the wat