unning a javelin under the visor of
his helmet, slew him; and the rest of the Persians, leaving the body,
fled. The greatness of the Greek success was known, not by the multitude
of the slain, (for an inconsiderable number were killed), but by the
sorrow the barbarians expressed. For they shaved themselves, their
horses, and mules for the death of Masistius, and filled the plain with
howling and lamentation; having lost a person, who, next to Mardonius
himself, was by far the chief among them, both for valor and authority.

After this skirmish of the horse, they kept from fighting a long time;
for the soothsayers, by the sacrifices, foretold the victory both to
Greeks and Persians, if they stood upon the defensive part only, but if
they became aggressors, the contrary. At length Mardonious, when he
had but a few days' provision, and the Greek forces were increasing
continually, impatient of delay, determined to lie still no longer, but
passing Asopus by daybreak, to fall unexpectedly upon the Greeks. This
he signified the night before to the captains of his host. But about
midnight, a certain horseman stole into the Greek camp, and coming to
the watch, desired them to summon Aristides, the Athenian, to him.
He came speedily, and the stranger said: "I am Alexander, king of the
Macedonians, and have come here through the greatest danger in the world
for the goodwill I bear you, lest a sudden onset should dismay you, so
as to behave in the fight worse than usual. For to-morrow Mardonius will
give you battle, urged, not by any hope of success or courage, but by
want of victuals: for the prophets prohibit him from the battle, the
sacrifices and oracles being unfavorable; but the army is in despondency
and consternation; and necessity forces him to try his fortune, or sit
still and endure the last extremity of want." Alexander, thus saying,
entreated Aristides to take notice and remember him, but not tell any
other. But he replied that it was not fair conceal to the matter from
Pausanias (because he was general); as for any others he would keep it
secret from them till the battle was fought; but if the Greeks obtained
the victory, that then no one should be ignorant of Alexander's goodwill
and kindness towards them. After this, the king of the Macedonians rode
back again, and Aristides went to Pausanias's tent and told him; and
they sent for the rest of the captains and gave orders that the army
should be in battle array.

M