who acted for him and in his name, had expelled Cleopatra, that they might govern alone.  Cleopatra had raised an army in Syria, and was on her way to the frontiers of Egypt to regain possession of what she deemed her rights.  Ptolemy’s ministers had gone forth to meet her at the head of their own troops, ’Ptolemy himself being also with them.  They had reached Pelusium, which is the frontier town between Egypt and Syria on the coast of the Mediterranean.  Here their armies had assembled in vast encampments upon the land, and their galleys and transports were riding at anchor along the shore of the sea.  Pompey and his-counselors thought that the government of Ptolemy would receive him as a friend, on account of the services he had rendered to the young prince’s father, forgetting that gratitude has never a place on the list of political virtues.

[Sidenote:  Pompey arrives at Pelusium.]

Pompey’s little squadron made its way slowly over the waters of the Mediterranean toward Pelusium and the camp of Ptolemy.  As they approached the shore, both Pompey himself and Cornelia felt many anxious forebodings.  A messenger was sent to the land to inform the young king of Pompey’s approach, and to solicit his protection.  The government of Ptolemy held a council, and took the subject into consideration.

[Sidenote:  Ptolemy’s council resolve to murder Pompey.]

Various opinions were expressed, and various plans were proposed.  The counsel which was finally followed was this.  It would be dangerous to receive Pompey, since that would make Caesar their enemy.  It would be dangerous to refuse to receive him, as that would make Pompey their enemy, and, though powerless now, he might one day be in a condition to seek vengeance.  It was wisest, therefore, to destroy him.  They would invite him to the shore, and kill him when he landed.  This would please Caesar; and Pompey himself, being dead, could never revenge it.  “Dead dogs,” as the orator said who made this atrocious proposal, “do not bite.”

[Sidenote:  The assassin Achillas.]

An Egyptian, named Achillas, was appointed to execute the assassination thus decreed.  An invitation was sent to Pompey to land, accompanied with a promise of protection; and, when his fleet had approached near enough to the shore, Achillas took a small party in a boat, and went out to meet his galley.  The men in this boat, of course, were armed.

[Sidenote:  Suspicions of Pompey’s friends.] [Sidenote:  Entreaties of Cornelia.] [Sidenote:  Pompey’s forlorn condition.] [Sidenote:  He determines to land.]

The officers and attendants of Pompey watched all these movements from the deck of his galley.  They scrutinized every thing that occurred with the closest attention and the greatest anxiety, to see whether the indications denoted an honest friendship or intentions of treachery.  The appearances were not favorable.  Pompey’s friends observed that no preparations were making along the shore for