who dwelt in the plain, and
from them too were brought presents of oxen.

25. Soon after, they prepared to perform the sacrifice which they had
vowed. Oxen enough had been brought them to offer to Jupiter the
Preserver, and to Hercules, for their safe conduct, and whatever they
had vowed to the other gods. They also celebrated gymnastic games upon
the hill where they were encamped, and chose Dracontius a Spartan, (who
had become an exile from his country when quite a boy, for having
involuntarily killed a child by striking him with a dagger,) to prepare
the course and preside at the contests. 26. When the sacrifice was
ended, they gave the hides[243] to Dracontius, and desired him to
conduct them to the place where he had made the course. Dracontius,
pointing to the place where they were standing, said, "This hill is an
excellent place for running, in whatever direction the men may wish."
"But how will they be able," said they, "to wrestle on ground so rough
and bushy?" "He that falls," said he, "will suffer the more." 27. Boys,
most of them from among the prisoners, contended in the short course,
and in the long course above sixty Cretans ran; while others were
matched in wrestling, boxing, and the pancratium. It was a fine sight;
for many entered the lists, and as their friends were spectators, there
was great emulation. 28. Horses also ran; and they had to gallop down
the steep, and, turning round in the sea, to come up again to the altar.
In the descent, many rolled down; but in the ascent, against the
exceedingly steep ground, the horses could scarcely get up at a walking
pace. There was consequently great shouting, and laughter, and cheering
from the people.

[Footnote 234: A stream running into the Tchoruk-su, according to
Ainsworth, Travels, p. 189.]

[Footnote 235: The Greeks cut down the trees in order to throw them into
the stream, and form a kind of bridge on which they might cross.
_Schneider_.]

[Footnote 236: They threw stones into the river that they might stand on
them, and approach nearer to the Greeks, so as to use their weapons with
more effect. _Bornemann_.]

[Footnote 237: Kara Kapan, or Kohat Tagh, according to Ainsw. p. 190.]

[Footnote 238: [Greek: Kata phalanga].] See on iv. 3. 26.]

[Footnote 239: [Greek: Lochous orthious].] See on iv. 2. 11.]

[Footnote 240: [Greek: Omous ---- kataphagein].] "Eat up raw," without
waiting to cook them; a metaphorical expression for _to extirpate
utt