Page:Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners.djvu/89

PART IV.] THE'^HIED INVASION OF GREECE. 81 same place the onslaught of the foe. And on being informed that the Persians were in Thessaly some set out on foot for Thermopylae, others by sea for Artemisium.

235.While the Greeks are thus hastening to meet the foe, divided into two divisions, the Delphians meanwhile consulted the god. An answer was given, ‘that the winds must be appeased by prayers and vows; for they would be of great service to Greece.’ Then the Delphians dedicated an altar to the winds, and appeased them with sacrifices. And even now the Delphians propitiate the winds according to the command of the oracle. 236.There were on guard to watch the movements of the barbarians three spy vessels of the Greeksa Troezenian, an Aeginetan, an Attic. Having seen the fleet of the Persians, these took to flight; and the barbarians indeed take the Troezenian ship. Having done this they lead one of the sailors to the prow of the vessel and kill him, thinking that this is a propitious omen for themselves. Now the name of this slain man was Leo. But the Aeginetan ship inspired the barbarians with a certain amount of fear; for on board her was fighting a certain Pytheas, who on that day showed himself a very gallant man. He, when the ship was taken, resisted fighting bravely, until he was altogether cut into ribbons, so to speak. And the Persians, since though falling he was not dead, but was still breathing, attempting at once to keep him alive on account of his valour, dressed the man’s wounds: and on returning to their camp, showed him to the whole army with the greatest admiration, and treated him kindly. So two of these vessels were taken: but the third trireme was run on shore; and the barbarians got possession of this vessel also; but the crew escaped, for having landed they returned to Athens.

237.Next day, at dawn, though the sky was clear, a great storm arose, the sea boiling up suddenly. They say that not