sought to harm his enemy even at the
expense of the interests of his country. However, Astyochus, instead
of thinking of punishing Alcibiades, who, besides, no longer ventured
within his reach as formerly, went up to him and Tissaphernes at
Magnesia, communicated to them the letter from Samos, and turned
informer, and, if report may be trusted, became the paid creature
of Tissaphernes, undertaking to inform him as to this and all other
matters; which was also the reason why he did not remonstrate more
strongly against the pay not being given in full. Upon this Alcibiades
instantly sent to the authorities at Samos a letter against Phrynichus,
stating what he had done, and requiring that he should be put to
death. Phrynichus distracted, and placed in the utmost peril by the
denunciation, sent again to Astyochus, reproaching him with having so
ill kept the secret of his previous letter, and saying that he was now
prepared to give them an opportunity of destroying the whole Athenian
armament at Samos; giving a detailed account of the means which he
should employ, Samos being unfortified, and pleading that, being in
danger of his life on their account, he could not now be blamed for
doing this or anything else to escape being destroyed by his mortal
enemies. This also Astyochus revealed to Alcibiades.

Meanwhile Phrynichus having had timely notice that he was playing him
false, and that a letter on the subject was on the point of arriving
from Alcibiades, himself anticipated the news, and told the army that
the enemy, seeing that Samos was unfortified and the fleet not all
stationed within the harbour, meant to attack the camp, that he could
be certain of this intelligence, and that they must fortify Samos as
quickly as possible, and generally look to their defences. It will be
remembered that he was general, and had himself authority to carry out
these measures. Accordingly they addressed themselves to the work
of fortification, and Samos was thus fortified sooner than it
would otherwise have been. Not long afterwards came the letter from
Alcibiades, saying that the army was betrayed by Phrynichus, and the
enemy about to attack it. Alcibiades, however, gained no credit, it
being thought that he was in the secret of the enemy's designs, and had
tried to fasten them upon Phrynichus, and to make out that he was their
accomplice, out of hatred; and consequently far from hurting him he
rather bore witness to what he had said by