he silence was perfect. Even the breeze had hushed while Glaucon and
Lycon faced again. The twenty thousand sat still as in their sepulchres,
each saying in his heart one word--"Now!" If in the first wrestling the
attack had been impetuous, it was now painfully deliberate. When the
heralds' wands fell, the two crept like mighty cats across the narrow
sands, frames bent, hands outstretched, watching from the corners of their
eyes a fair chance to rush in and grapple. Then Lycon, whose raging spirit
had the least control, charged. Another dust cloud. When it cleared, the
two were locked together as by iron.

For an instant they swayed, whilst the Spartan tried again his brute
power. It failed him. Glaucon drew strength from the earth like Antaeus.
The hushed stadium could hear the pants of the athletes as they locked
closer, closer. Strength failing, the Spartan snatched at his enemy's
throat; but the Athenian had his wrist gripped fast before the clasp could
tighten, and in the melee Glaucon's other hand passed beneath Lycon's
thigh. The two seemed deadlocked. For a moment they grinned face to face,
almost close enough to bite each other's lips. But breath was too precious
for curses. The Spartan flung his ponderous weight downward. A slip in the
gliding sand would have ruined the Athenian instantly; but Poseidon or
Apollo was with him. His feet dug deep, and found footing. Lycon drew back
baffled, though the clutches of their hands were tightening like vices of
steel. Then again face to face, swaying to and fro, panting, muttering,
while the veins in the bare backs swelled still more.

"He cannot endure it. He cannot! Ah! Athena Polias, pity him! Lycon is
wearing him down," moaned Pytheas, beside himself with fear, almost
running to Glaucon's aid.

The stadium resumed its roaring. A thousand conflicting prayers, hopes,
counsels, went forth to the combatants. The gods of Olympus and Hades; all
demigods, heroes, satyrs, were invoked for them. They were besought to
conquer in the name of parents, friends, and native land. Athenians and
Laconians, sitting side by side, took up the combat, grappling fiercely.
And all this time the two strove face to face.

How long had it lasted? Who knew? Least of all that pair who wrestled
perchance for life and for death. Twice again the Spartan strove with his
weight to crush his opponent down. Twice vainly. He could not close his
grip around the Athenian's throat. He had looked to see