erous when they fly than
when they charge the enemy in front, they are accustomed to shoot with
an unerring aim at their pursuers, and turn the fortune of the battle.
Such men are scarcely to be conquered by the efforts of the most
powerful nations or sovereigns; and therefore the proudest conquerors of
the world have failed in their attempts to subdue them.

"'Darius, one of the greatest kings which the vast empire of Persia ever
obeyed, once attempted the exploit, and had nearly perished in the
attempt. He advanced with a powerful army, but ill prepared for such an
expedition, into the Scythian wastes. The inhabitants, well acquainted
with the most effectual methods of defence, transported their families
and herds into the interior parts of the country, and mounting their
fleetest horses, seemed to fly before the monarch, who, infatuated with
pride and confidence, pursued the chase for several days, until he found
himself in the midst of solitary deserts, totally destitute of all that
human wants require, where his army could neither advance nor retire
without equal danger of perishing by thirst and famine. When the
Scythian horsemen saw him thus involved, they began to check their
speed; instead of flying, as usual, they hemmed him in on every side,
and harassed the army with continual attacks. It was then they sent a
present to the Persian king, the mysterious meaning of which increased
the terrors of his situation. A Scythian, mounted upon a fiery steed,
entered the camp at full speed, and, regardless of danger or opposition,
penetrated even to the royal tent, where Darius was holding a council
with his nobles. While they were all amazed at this extraordinary
boldness, the man leaped lightly from his horse, and placing a little
bundle upon the ground, vaulted up again with inconceivable agility, and
retired with the same happy expedition. The curiosity of the monarch
made him instantly order the packet to be examined, which contained only
a mouse, a bird, a fish, and a bundle of arrows. Silence and
astonishment for some time seized the assembly, till at length the king
observed, that he thought the present which the Scythians had sent could
signify nothing but their submission to his arms. 'The mouse,' said he,
'must represent the earth, because he resides in holes which he digs in
the soil; the fish inhabits the water, and the bird resides in the air.
By sending me, therefore, all these various animals, they mean t