[The water of the Nile has a very agreeable flavor.  It is called by one traveller the champagne among the waters.  The ladies of the Sultan’s harem send for this water even from Constantinople, and the Arabs say, that if Mahomet had drunk thereof he would have desired to live for ever.]

It was an Ethiop, one of Phanes’ boatmen, and he tells that just as he sprang out of the boat to bathe, a royal bark came alongside and a soldier asked the rest of the crew in whose service they were.  On the helmsman answering, ‘in Phanes’ service,’ the royal boat passed on slowly.  He, however, (the rower who was bathing), seated himself in fun on the rudder of the royal boat, and heard one Ethiopian soldier on board say to another, ’Keep that craft well in sight; now we know where the bird sits, and it will be easy to catch him.  Remember, Psamtik has promised us fifty gold rings if we bring the Athenian to Sais dead or alive.’  This is the report of Sebek, who has been in your service seven years, O Phanes.”

To both these accounts Phanes listened calmly.  Rhodopis trembled.  Aristomachus exclaimed, “Not a hair of your head shall be touched, if Egypt perish for it!” Croesus advised prudence.  A tremendous excitement had mastered the whole party.

At last Phanes broke silence, saying:  “Reflection is never more necessary than in a time of danger.  I have thought the matter over, and see clearly that escape will be difficult.  The Egyptians will try to get rid of me quietly.  They know that I intend going on board a Phoecean trireme, which sets sail for Sigeum at a very early hour to-morrow morning, and have therefore no time to lose, if they will seize me.  Your garden, Rhodopis, is entirely surrounded, and were I to remain here, your house would no longer be respected as a sanctuary; it would be searched and I taken in it.  There can be no doubt that a watch has been set over the Phoecean ship also.  Blood shall not be shed in vain on my account.”

“But you dare not surrender!” cried Aristomachus.

“No, no, I have a plan,” shouted Theopompus the Milesian merchant.  “At sunrise to-morrow a ship sails for Miletus laden with Egyptian corn, but not from Naukratis, from Canopus.  Take the noble Persian’s horse and ride thither.  We will cut a way for you through the garden.”

“But,” said Gyges, “our little band is not strong enough to carry out such an attempt.  We number in all ten men, and of these only three have swords; our enemies, on the other hand, number at least a hundred, and are armed to the teeth.”

“Lydian!” cried Aristomachus, “wert thou ten times more fainthearted than thou art, and were our enemies double their number, I at least, will fight them!”

Phanes grasped his friend’s hand.  Gyges turned pale.  This brave warrior had called him fainthearted; and again he could find no words to answer; for at every stirring emotion his tongue failed him.  Suddenly the blood mounted to his face; his words came quickly and with decision:  “Athenian, follow me! and thou, Spartan, who art not wont to use words heedlessly, call no man fainthearted again before thou knowest him.  Friends, Phanes is safe, Farewell, father!”