place.  They then watched the channels all the night, yet nowhere was there seen any stir among the Greeks as of men that would fly by stealth.  And when the fiery chariot of the Sun was seen in heaven, the Greeks set up with one accord a great shout, to which the echo from the rocks of the island made reply; and the Persians were troubled, knowing that they had been deceived, for the Greeks shouted not as men that were afraid.  And after this there came the voice of a trumpet exceeding loud, and then, when the word was given, the dash of many oars that struck the water together, and, clearly heard above all, the sound of many voices, saying, ’rise, children of the Greeks; set free your country and your children and your wives, and the houses of your gods, and the sepulchres of your forefathers.  Now must ye fight for all that ye hold dear.’  And from us there came a great tumult of Persian speech, and the battle began, ship striking against ship.  And a ship of the Greeks led the way, breaking off all the forepart of a ship of Phoenicia.  For a while, indeed, the Persian fleet bare up; but seeing that there were many crowded together in narrow space, and that they could not help one another, they began to smite their prows together, and to break the oars one of the other.  And the ships of the Greeks in a circle round about them drave against them right skilfully; and many hulls were overset, till a man could not see the sea, so full was it of wrecks and of bodies of dead men, with which also all the shores and rocks were filled.  Then did all the fleet of the Persians take to flight without order, and our enemies with oars and pieces of wreck smote us, as men smite tunnies or a shoal of other fish; and there went up a dreadful cry, till the darkness fell and they ceased from pursuing.  But all the evils that befell us I could not tell, no, not in ten days; only be sure of this, that never before in one day died such a multitude of men.”

[Illustration:  The horses of the morning.]

Then the Queen said, “’Tis surely a great sea of troubles that hath broken upon our race.”

But the messenger made reply, “Listen yet again, for I have yet more to tell.  There is an island over against Salamis, small, not easy of approach to ships.  Hither the King, thy son, sent the chosen men of his army, being in the vigour of their age, and noble of birth, and faithful to himself.  For it was in his mind that they should slay such of the Greeks as should seek to save themselves out of the ships, and should help any of his own people that might be in need.  But he judged ill of what should come to pass.  For when the ships of the Greeks had prevailed as I have said, certain of their host