Page:Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners.djvu/39

  105.A race of men who are all bald, males and females alike, and snub-nosed, inhabits the spurs of the high mountains. They wear the Scythian dress, notwithstanding they support life on the fruit of trees. The name of the tree by which they are fed is Ponticum; it much resembles a fig tree. Now, it bears a fruit like a bean, having a kernel within. They keep the ripe fruit in cloths, and both lick up the thick black liquor which exudes from it, and drink it mixed with milk. Of the dregs they make cakes, on which they feed. They have not a great quantity of cattle. Each head of a family lives under a tree. In winter, indeed, they cover the tree with a covering made of wool. No one does harm to these people, for they are held sacred; nor have they any warlike arms; these same men also settle the disputes of their neighbours. They are called the Argipaei.   106.There was once a certain Hegesistratus, whom the Spartans had thrown into chains. He, indeed, involved in this misfortune, with not only the penalty of death hanging over him, but also expecting many tortures before death, did a deed incredible to tell. Having by accident discovered an iron instrument, he cut off part of his foot. Having done this, he dug through a party wall and escaped from the prison, travelling by night, and by day hiding among thickets. The Spartans were astonished at the boldness of the man, for they saw the amputated foot lying on the ground, but could not find the man. But he, when his wound was healed, made (adopted) a wooden leg for himself. 