Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/167

 CHAP. m. 5. INTRODUCTION. -O55 intrusted to him ? And how came it that on his return, after being deprived of every thing contrary to expectation, and disgraced, a yet larger cargo of goods was intrusted to him ? And when he had again returned into Ethiopia, what cause induced him to write down the words, or to inquire whence came the portion of the prow of the boat ? For to learn that it was a ship of some sailing from the west, would have been no information to him, as he himself would have to sail from the west on his voyage back. When, on his return to Alexandria, he was detected in having appropriated to himself much of the merchandise, how came it that he was not punished, but allowed to go about interrogating the pilots, and exhibiting his bit of prow ? And that one of these fellows actually re- cognised the relic, is it not delicious ! Eudoxus too believed it, this is still richer ; and inspired by the hope, hastens home, and then starts on a voyage beyond the Pillars of Hercules ! But he could never have left Alexandria without a pass- port, still less after having stolen the royal property. To set sail on the sly was impossible, as the port and every other exit was kept by a numerous guard, which still exists, as we very well know who have lived in Alexandria for a long time, although it is not so strict since the Romans have had posses- sion, but under the kings the guards were infinitely more alert. But allowing that he reached Gades, that he there constructed ships, and sailed thence with quite a royal fleet, when his vessel was shattered, by what means was he able to construct a third boat in a desert land ? And when, being again on his voyage, he found that the Ethiopians of the West spoke the same language as those of the East, how came it that he, so proud of his travelling propensities, forgot the completion of his voyage, when he must have had so good an expectation that there was but little now left unexplored, but relinquishing these prospects, set his mind on the expedition being undertaken by Bogus ? HOAV did he become acquainted with the snare spread for him by that king ? And what advantage would have accrued to Bogus by making away with the man, rather than by dismissing him ? When Eudoxus learned the plot against himself, what means had he to- escape to safer quar- ters ? It is true that not one of these situations was actually impossible, but still they were difficult circumstances, such as one rarely escapes from by any prosperous fortune. How-