A Victor of Salamis 31Book II · Themistocles Gives a Promise
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Literature · Adventure
A Victor of Salamis 31
Book II · Themistocles Gives a Promise
DavisEnglish
After the Nausicaä had returned that night to Salamis, after the old men and the women had laughed and wept over the living,—they were too proud to weep over the dead,—after the prudent admirals had set the fleet again in order, for Xerxes might tempt fate again in the morning with his remaining ships, Themistocles found himself once more in his cabin. With him was only Glaucon the Alcmæonid. The admiral’s words were few and pointed.
“Son of Conon, last night you gave me the thought whereby I could save Hellas. To-day your javelin saved me from death. I owe you much. I will repay in true coin. To-morrow I can give you back to your wife and all your friends if you will but suffer me.”
The younger man flushed a little, but his eyes did not brighten. He felt Themistocles’s reservation.
“On what terms?”
“You shall be presented to the Athenians as one who, yielding for a moment to overmastering temptation, has atoned for one error by rendering infinite service.”
“Then I am to be ‘Glaucon the Traitor’ still, even if ‘Glaucon the Repentant Traitor’?”
“Your words are hard, son of Conon; what may I say? Have you any new explanation for the letter to Argos?”
“The old one—I did not write it.”
“Let us not bandy useless arguments. Do you not see I shall be doing all that is possible?”
“Let me think a little.”
The younger Athenian held down his head, and Themistocles saw his brows knitting.
“Son of Neocles,” said Glaucon, at length, “I thank you. You are a just man. Whatever of sorrow has or will be mine, you have no part therein, but I cannot return—not to Hermione and my child—on any terms you name.”
“Your purpose, then?”
“To-day the gods show mercy to Hellas, later they may show justice to me. The war is far from ended. Can you not let me serve on some ship of the allies where none can recognize me? Thus let me wait a year, and trust that in that year the sphinx will find her riddle answered.”
“To wait thus long is hard,” spoke the other, kindly.
“I have done many hard things, Themistocles.”
“And your wife?”
“Hera pity her! She bade me return when Athens knew me innocent. Better that she wait a little longer, though in sorrow, when I can return to her even as she bade me. Nevertheless, promise one thing.”
“Name it.”
“That if her parents are about to give her to Democrates or any other, you will prevent.”
Themistocles’s face lightened. He laid a friendly hand on the young man’s shoulder.
“I do not know how to answer your cry of innocency, philotate, but this I know, in all Hellas I think none is fairer in body or soul than you. Have no fear for Hermione, and in the year to come may Revealer Apollo make all of your dark things bright.”
Glaucon bowed his head. Themistocles had given everything the outlaw could ask, and the latter went out of the cabin.
