“Say no more.  In vain you seek arguments to dissuade me.  I am fixed in the resolution to go with you.  Let us lose no time.”  They called the guard, and committing the watch to them, sought the general’s tent.  They found the chief officers in consultation, deliberating how they should send notice to Aeneas of their situation.  The offer of the two friends was gladly accepted, themselves loaded with praises and promised the most liberal rewards in case of success.  Iulus especially addressed Euryalus, assuring him of his lasting friendship.  Euryalus replied, “I have but one boon to ask.  My aged mother is with me in the camp.  For me she left the Trojan soil, and would not stay behind with the other matrons at the city of Acestes.  I go now without taking leave of her.  I could not bear her tears nor set at nought her entreaties.  But do thou, I beseech you, comfort her in her distress.  Promise me that and I shall go more boldly into whatever dangers may present themselves.”  Iulus and the other chiefs were moved to tears, and promised to do all his request.  “Your mother shall be mine,” said Iulus, “and all that I have promised to you shall be made good to her, if you do not return to receive it.”

The two friends left the camp and plunged at once into the midst of the enemy.  They found no watch, no sentinels posted, but, all about, the sleeping soldiers strewn on the grass and among the wagons.  The laws of war at that early day did not forbid a brave man to slay a sleeping foe, and the two Trojans slew, as they passed, such of the enemy as they could without exciting alarm.  In one tent Euryalus made prize of a helmet brilliant with gold and plumes.  They had passed through the enemy’s ranks without being discovered, but now suddenly appeared a troop directly in front of them, which, under Volscens, their leader, were approaching the camp.  The glittering helmet of Euryalus caught their attention, and Volscens hailed the two, and demanded who and whence they were.  They made no answer, but plunged into the wood.  The horsemen scattered in all directions to intercept their flight.  Nisus had eluded pursuit and was out of danger, but Euryalus being missing he turned back to seek him.  He again entered the wood and soon came within sound of voices.  Looking through the thicket he saw the whole band surrounding Euryalus with noisy questions.  What should he do? how extricate the youth, or would it be better to die with him.

Raising his eyes to the moon, which now shone clear, he said, “Goddess! favor my effort!” and aiming his javelin at one of the leaders of the troop, struck him in the back and stretched him on the plain with a death-blow.  In the midst of their amazement another weapon flew and another of the party fell dead.  Volscens, the leader, ignorant whence the darts came, rushed sword in hand upon Euryalus.  “You shall pay the penalty of both,” he said, and would have plunged the sword into his bosom, when Nisus,