“A glad greeting,” echoed the chorus of revellers, questioning and guessing who this late arrival might prove to be.

They had not long to wait, for even before the Sybarite had had time carefully to test and swallow another mouthful of wine, the speaker, Kallias, the son of Phaenippus of Athens, was already standing by the side of Rhodopis.  He was a tall thin man of over sixty, with a head of that oval form which gives the impression of refinement and intellect.  One of the richest among the Athenian exiles, he had twice bought the possessions of Pisistratus from the state, and twice been obliged to surrender them, on the tyrant’s return to power.  Looking round with his clear keen eyes on this circle of acquaintances, he exchanged friendly greetings with all, and exclaimed: 

“If you do not set a high value on my appearance among you this evening, I shall think that gratitude has entirely disappeared from the earth.”

“We have been expecting you a long time,” interrupted one of the Milesians.  “You are the first man to bring us news of the Olympic games!”

“And we could wish no better bearer of such news than the victor of former days?” added Rhodopis.  “Take your seat,” cried Phanes impatiently, “and come to the point with your news at once, friend Kallias.”

“Immediately, fellow-countryman,” answered the other.  “It is some time ago now since I left Olympia.  I embarked at Cenchreae in a fifty-oared Samian vessel, the best ship that ever was built.

“It does not surprise me that I am the first Greek to arrive in Naukratis.  We encountered terrific storms at sea, and could not have escaped with our lives, if the big-bellied Samian galley, with her Ibis beak and fish’s tail had not been so splendidly timbered and manned.

“How far the other homeward-bound passengers may have been driven out of their course, I cannot tell; we found shelter in the harbor of Samos, and were able to put to sea again after ten days.

“We ran into the mouth of the Nile this morning.  I went on board my own bark at once, and was so favored by Boreas, who at least at the end of my voyage, seemed willing to prove that he still felt kindly towards his old Kallias, that I caught sight of this most friendly of all houses a few moments since.  I saw the waving flag, the brightly lighted windows, and debated within myself whether to enter or not; but Rhodopis, your fascination proved irresistible, and besides, I was bursting with all my untold news, longing to share your feast, and to tell you, over the viands and the wine, things that you have not even allowed yourselves to dream of.”

Kallias settled himself comfortably on one of the cushions, and before beginning to tell his news, produced and presented to Rhodopis a magnificent gold bracelet in the form of a serpent’s, which he had bought for a large sum at Samos, in the goldsmith’s workshop of the very Theodorus who was now sitting with him at table.