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Our Little Roman Cousin of Long Ago

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W Our Little Spartan Cousin of Long Ago
W By Julia Darrow Cowles
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# The Long Ago
Little Cousins of Series
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f OUR LITTLE
# SPARTAN COUSIN
f OF LONG AGO
Being the Story of Chartas,
I
A Boy of Sparta
BY
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U-LvJ-TY "HARROW COWT
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Author of " Our Little Roman Cousin of Long Ago,"
" Our Little Athenian Cousin of Long Ago," etc.
ILLUSTRATED BY
JOHN GOSS
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BOSTON W
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THE PAGE COMPANY w
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Copyright, 1914, by
The Page Company
All rights reserved
First Impression, June, 1914
THE COLONIAL PRESS

SIMONDS CO., BOSTON, U. S.
THIS STORY OF SPARTAN COURAGE
AND ENDURANCE
IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO
MY BROTHER
FRANK LOOMIS HARROW
L
Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2014
https://archive.org/details/ourlittlespartanOOcowl_0
Preface
It has not been the intention of the author
to confine the scenes of this story to a given
date, but rather to select events which are
typical of the Spartan life and character, and so
to present a composite picture which is truly
representative of a people unique in the history
of mankind.
The story closes during the stirring times of
the Persian invasion, but even here the author
claims some of the license of the story-teller,
though with no contradiction of fact, nor use
of the imagination not fully warranted by Spar-
tan history.
One of the objects sought has been to show
the true nobility and rugged simplicity of the

vii
viii PREFACE
Spartan character, for it is scarcely credible
that the citizens of the State which for so long
a time was the acknowledged leader of all
Hellas, could have been so wholly rude and
savage as they are sometimes depicted.
Acknowledgment is hereby made of the au-
thor's indebtedness to " Miiller's Dorians " for
the invaluable aid which Professor Miiller's
comprehensive treatment has afforded.

Contents
CHAPTER PAGE
Preface vii
Pronunciation of Proper Names xii
I. A Spartan Company I
II. The Assembly 9

Foraging
III.
IV.
V.
The Public Tables
Chartas' Home
.... l
26
7
35
VI. Sparta's Laws 43
VII. The Festival
VIII.
IX.
Work and Play
New Adventures
....
....
50
58
X.
XL A
A Vacancy Filled ....
Pledge and a Chase .
65
73
81
XII. The Drill 89
XIII. Days of Preparation 98
XIV. The Carnea 106
XV. The Truce - bearers
XVI. " Earth and Water "... 114
121
XVII. A Runner from Marathon . 128
XVIII. For Sparta's Honor 137
List of Illustrations
PAGE
Chartas Frontispiece
" At last he reached the top of the little
PATH " 24
" Melissa brought her lyre and played
as she sang " 4i
" An old man with white hair and long
white beard passed them " . . . 6l
" The made a beautiful picture with
girls
their light draperies and fresh flow-
ERS " 107
" The man turned his head for but one
WORD " 129
Pronunciation of Proper Names
A'gis Il'i-ad
A-leu'as Ja'son
An'dro-cles La-er'tes
A-pol'lo Ly-cur'gus
As-sem'bly Mar'a-thon
A-the'na Me-lis'sa
A-the'ni-an Melon
Ath'ens Men-e-la'us
Bras'i-das My'les
Car-ne'a Od'ys-sey
Cas'tor O-lym'pi-a
Ce'os O-lym'pi-ad
Char'tas O-res'tes
Cin'a-don Pan
Cle-om'e-nes Par'is
Dan'a-us Pen'thi-lus
Da-ri'us Per'sia
Del'phi Persians
Di'o-do'rus Pol'lux
Do'ri-ans Pro'cles
Do'rus Pyr'rhic
E-le'an Pyth'i-an
E'Hs So'us
E-pho're-um Spar'ta
Eu-ro'tas Spar'tan
Ge'lon Sper'thi-as
Gor'go Syl-la'ri-an
Greece Te v -pan'der
Hel'en The-og'nis
He'lots The'ron
Her'a-kles The'seus (sus)
Ho'mer Troy
Hy'a-cin'thus Zeus (zus)
Our Little Spartan Cousin
of Long Ago
CHAPTER I
A SPARTAN COMPANY
U
'A race! a race! Who will plunge first
"
into Eurotas?
The boy who shouted the challenge stood
poised, ready for flight. His head was thrown

back, his arms were extended, and one foot,
thrust before him, touched the ground lightly.
It was Chartas who called, and at the sound
of his voice the whole group of boys, fifteen in
number, threw themselves into the same atti-
tude, and, at a word, sped away to the banks of
the river. Reaching there, they hastily threw

l
2 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN
off the one garment which each wore, and

plunged into the stream.
" Chartas won!" they cried, as the challen-
ger, whose lithe limbs gave him an advantage
in running, splashed first into the water.
" He always wins in running," said Brasidas,

14
but wait till we wrestle. His speed will not
count for so much then."
The splashing water almost drowned Brasi-
das' words, for the fifteen boys were swimming,
ducking, plunging, and frolicking like a school
of young porpoises.
44
However, Chartas had heard. Yes," he
answered,
14
I like to show my back in a race.
'Twould be different if 'twere a battle."

11
How about your back now? " asked a mis-
chievous boy named Gelon. As he spoke he

dived quickly, caught Chartas by the ankles,
and tripped him, face forward, into the water.
Chartas quickly recovered ^himself, dashed
after Gelon, and a lively tussle followed. The

A SPARTAN COMPANY 3
water flew in all directions, and the other boys,

quickly taking sides, began throwing water upon
the two wrestlers, dashing it into the face of
the one they hoped to see defeated.
The boys were well matched, but the river
bottom was slippery, and as Gelon gave a turn
to his antagonist's arms his foot slipped and he
went down.
" Chartas wins! Chartas wins!" again
shouted the boys, as Gelon came up sputter-
ing, and shaking the water from his hair and
eyes.
Gelon was not conquered, however, and he

dashed once more upon Chartas. But at that
moment, above the splashing of the water, and

the shouting of the boys, a voice rang out from
the river bank. " Back to the gymnasium; 'tis
"
time for your drill !
The voice was that of their iren, or captain,
— a boy himself £ut little past twenty years, —

whose name was Orestes.
Instantly the wrestling stopped, and the boys
turned. Not a hand went back for a final
splash, for these were Spartan boys, and the

first lesson they had learned was to obey.
In a moment they had slipped into their
chitons, and were hurrying toward the gym-

nasium.
As they started, Orestes threw his arm across
the shoulders of Chartas, and the two followed

a little more slowly.
" To-morrow the Assembly meets," said
Orestes, " and I shall send you boys foraging.
See how well you can acquit yourself, for I
want to be proud of you."

" I wish I were old enough to attend the
Assembly," said Chartas, " but I know you will
tell me what takes place. I should like to listen
to the speeches, — but then," he added, "it is
rare sport to forage, and I shall do my

best"
11
I know you will," said Orestes, looking
A SPARTAN COMPANY 5
with genuine pride and affection at the younger
boy.
When they reached the gymnasium the others
were already selecting their quoits for throw-
ing. They paid no heed to the open preference
of their captain for Chartas, since every cap-
tain of boys in Sparta had his favorite pupil.
The captain's favorite was given special train-
ing and special teaching; but he was not saved
from hardships or dangers. If he had been, he

would, himself, have hated it, and his compan-
ions would have held him in contempt. Instead,
he was given harder tasks, and was thrown into
greater dangers in order that he might gain
courage and endurance, and be able to prove
himself keen and unafraid. For these were the

qualities which made the Spartans the most
heroic men of all Greece.

" Now to your places," said Orestes, and, in
a moment, the boys were ready for their exer-
cises. There was no donning of gymnasium

suits. The chiton was their one garment, worn

on all occasions. It was a sleeveless shirt of
wool.
Then began the exercise of quoit-throwing,
in which each boy sought to send his quoit or
discus with the best aim and to the greatest
distance.
As one of the boys, named Theognis, took

up his quoit, one of the smaller boys darted out
of his place.
11
Stand back!" shouted Theognis. " Do
you want to play the part of Hyacinthus and be
"
struck down?
The boy retreated, and Theognis threw his
quoit.
" Bravo! " cried the boys, for the discus had
sped far beyond that of any other thrower.
Theognis threw back his head, as he stood
erect. He was shorter than most of his com-
pany. He could never win in a race, and in
wrestling he was often thrown; but his discus-

A SPARTAN COMPANY 7
throwing was always good, and he was glad to
have won this " bravo " from the boys.
As the quoits were put away, Orestes turned
suddenly to Theognis and said: " You referred
a moment ago to Apollo and Hyancinthus.
Tell us the story.
Theognis did not hesitate: " Hyacinthus was
loved by the god Apollo, and they were often
together. One day as they were playing at a
game of quoits, Apollo threw his discus. It
slipped from his hand, and, striking Hyacin-
thus, slew him. Apollo was deeply grieved.
He had loved the beautiful boy, and now he
was dead, slain by his own hand. But Apollo,
god though he was, could not bring him back

to life. So, where the blood of Hyacinthus had
moistened the earth, he caused a beautiful pur-
ple flower to grow, and he named the flower the
hyacinth.
" Your tale is as well told as your discus was
well thrown/' said Orestes, and once more

Theognis felt a thrill of pleasure, for praise
from one's captain was not easily gained in
Sparta.
But though praise was not easily gained, it
was a part of each boy's training to answer sud-
den and unexpected questions and to give his
answers as clearly and as briefly as he could.
This questioning taught him to think quickly
and to express his thoughts readily. And so,
though the Spartan boys were expected to be
silent when with the older men, unless they
were addressed, they learned to listen well, and
to keep their minds alert, for a question might
be put to them at the most unexpected moment,
and it was a disgrace not to be able to answer
quickly, briefly, and well.

CHAPTER II
THE ASSEMBLY
The streets of Sparta presented a lively
scene on the following day.
It was the monthly meeting of the Assembly,

and every street was filled with a moving
throng. Men of all ages were there, for every
citizen who was old enough to bear arms could
vote. The meeting was held in an open space
just west of the city.
Sparta was ruled over by two kings and

twenty-eight magistrates, who were called
ephors. These thirty men could make plans,
and propose changes in the government, but
they must tell their plans to the whole people
at one of the Assemblies, and let them vote

" yes," or " no." In this way Sparta was gov-
erned.
9
Orestes and Procles, another captain of a
company of boys, were together.
" The crowd is making way," said Orestes.
" Yes," replied Procles, " the kings and
ephors are taking their places."
The great gathering of people was made up

principally of the men of Sparta, each dressed
in his chiton, over which was draped the hima-
tion, or cloak. This cloak consisted of a square
piece of cloth, sometimes rounded at the cor-
ners. It was thrown over the left arm, brought
loosely across the back under the right arm,
and the end again thrown back over the left
shoulder. Thus the right arm was left free,
while the left was covered by the graceful dra-
pery of the himation. Some of the men wore

hats with a broad brim, but the greater number
had their heads bare. All wore their hair long,
and arranged in a knot upon the crown of the
head.
Occasionally a young man would be seen with

THE ASSEMBLY 11
a purple military cloak, adding a brilliant bit
of color to the scene. These cloaks were fast-
ened with a clasp upon the right shoulder,

where the ends fell apart, again leaving the
right arm free and uncovered.
With the exception of these military cloaks,
the people were dressed in white, for in Sparta
it was said, " deceitful are dyes." The Spar-
tans thought that nothing was so beautiful as
the white color of the natural wool, and that

dyes robbed the wool of its true beauty.
Occasionally, upon the outskirts of the crowd,
or darting through the streets, would be seen
a slave from the country, dressed in a leather
cap, and a chiton made from skins. The work-

men of the city, who had no vote in the
government of Sparta, could readily be told

by their simpler dress and their closely cut
hair.
Orestes and Procles stood quietly among the
men, their arms folded beneath their cloaks,

and their eyes cast down. Yet with quick

glances they took note of any unusual
sights.
" Who is the man in splendid garments, who

has his hair parted and fastened with a jeweled
ornament?" asked Procles quietly.
" He must be an ambassador — from Ath-
ens, perhaps," said Orestes.
" But see the gold and embroidery upon his
cloak. I think he must come from beyond

Greece," Procles replied.
" Perhaps he will speak, and then we will
learn more about him," said Orestes.
Then one of the ephors arose, and the people
became quiet. He made a short speech, and
ended by proposing the name of a well-known
citizen for councillor. Then he asked for the
vote of the Assembly. The citizen was well

liked, and when the vote was called for, the
voices of the people arose in one great shout:
" Aye, aye."

THE ASSEMBLY 13
Then the man of whom Orestes and Procles
had spoken was allowed to address the people.
He was an ambassador, as they had guessed,

and came from an island to the east of Greece.
He wanted to arrange a treaty between his
country and Sparta, but his appearance did not
please the Spartans.
" He smells of ointments, and his clothes are
far too richly embroidered, " growled an old
man, who stood near the boys.

" And he would have us Spartans pay for
the extravagance which we allow not in our
own country," replied the man to whom he had
spoken.
There were murmurs of disapproval from the

crowd while the ambassador spoke, and when
the ephor called for a vote giving consent to
the treaty, a few voices answered, but when it
was asked whether they should deny the re-
quest, a multitude of voices blended like the
roar of a mighty sea.

When it had grown quiet again, another of
the ephors spoke. He told of a war in which
one of their colonies was engaged. " They are

11
losing ground," he said, and they beg us to
send them the statues of the Twin Gods, that
they may bring them better fortune, and turn
the tide of battle in their favor."
At this some of the people shouted, " Send

them! Send them!" Others said, "No, no;
it is too great a risk." " The statues might be

lost at sea !
" exclaimed others. " Let them
make statues of their own !
" " Why should
"
we send them ours?
The whole multitude was in an uproar. The
angry voices increased; the excitement grew each
moment. In vain the ephors tried to quiet the
people. Even the kings could not control them.
They threw up their arms; they shouted; they
surged back and forth.
Suddenly a man vaulted to a place beside the
ephors. In his hand he held a cithara, and he

THE ASSEMBLY 15
began to play. Then, to the accompaniment of
his instrument, he sang.
No sound reached the multitude. Only those

who looked knew that he was singing. But,
one by one, these pointed, or nudged a noisy
neighbor, and, little by little, the tumult grew

less ; the angry voices dropped to a lower key,
then ceased altogether, and the throng stood
still.
Above the murmur, the voice of the singer

began to be heard. Then, as the people grew
quiet, his notes rang out clear and true. He
sang of patriotism, of heroism, of strength in
battle. He sang of the deeds of the gods whom

the Spartans worshipped. Then, by degrees,
his voice grew less ringing; its tones became
solemn and soothing. And the people listened;
they forgot their anger and discord, and there
was a hush over all the great throng.
When he stopped there was silence. Then

a voice arose :
" The colonists are of our own
people. They, too, were Spartans. Shall we

"
send the images to them?
And a great shout arose, " Yes, yes. Let the
images go."
CHAPTER IN
FORAGING
The men of Sparta, and the boys from seven
years upward, did not eat at home, but at public
tables. Their meals were simple, and all fared
much the same. Even the kings sat with the
citizens and shared the same plain food, which

often consisted mainly of black broth and barley
bread.
Each citizen of Sparta gave from his own
stores a regular quantity of supplies for the
tables. He gave barley-meal, wine, cheese, figs,
dates, and meat. Extra meat for the tables was
sometimes provided by those who went hunting,
or from the sacrifices offered at the altars.
Then, too, a generous citizen would now and

17
then give white bread, instead of barley bread,
or bring birds which he had caught, or offerings
of fruit or vegetables when in season.
The food for the boys' tables was simpler

and less varied than that for the men's, al-
though plain, simple food was the rule for
all.
Very little money was used in Sparta. What

they had was of iron. If a man had corn raised
upon his land, he exchanged a part of it for other
articles which he needed. The market-place of
the city was, for this reason, a place of trade,
rather than of buying and selling.
After their breakfast, on the morning of the
Assembly, Orestes sent the boys of his company
away to get food for their table.
" Go where you like outside the city," he said,

" but do not return until you can bring some-
thing for the common table. Be soldiers now

be men. Stop not for hunger, or pain, or toil,
but secure food, and come not back without it.

FORAGING 19
If you do your work, awkwardly and are caught,

you will be flogged. Be off."
It was no new message to the boys. This
was a part of their training; a part of their
education. They were sent out as soldiers to
forage for supplies. They might steal, in fact
they must steal, but they must not be caught.
Therein lay the disgrace. This was a part of
their preparation for warfare. It was a na-
tional custom, understood by all; and so, al-
though no man wanted his goods stolen, — and

he caught and flogged the offender if he could,
— he knew that in taking his goods the boys
were not breaking the laws of Sparta, but obey-

ing them.
Thus foraging was, to the boys, an exciting
game; a chance to test their skill, their dex-
terity, and often their endurance. And the
Spartan boy who could endure most was the
hero of his fellows.
"Where shall we go?" asked Brasidas of

Chartas, as the company of boys broke up into
smaller groups.
" To the mountain!" exclaimed Chartas.
" A dish of grapes would taste good at our
table, and they must be ripe by this time."
"Just the thing!" replied Brasidas. "A

mountain climb suits me, and the grapes will,
indeed, be good."
The two boys started westward from the city
toward the mountain, with its rocky slopes, its
forests, and its snow-crowned peaks. The path
they took was rugged, and the climbing steep.
But they did not hesitate. The difficulties of
the way only made their task more exciting,
and would win for them greater credit when

they returned.
At first they ran along the path, then they
clambered up the side of the mountain. In
places the rocks were sharp and broken, and in
others there were steep, slippery cliffs, but, al-
though their feet were bare, they climbed the

FORAGING 21
steep places, jumped from one broken rock to
another, or pulled themselves up the cliffs by

their bare hands.
Suddenly Chartas stopped and threw himself
upon a flat rock. Lifting his foot, he pulled
from it a large thorn. The blood followed as
he did so, but, making no comment, he sped on

again after Brasidas.
At last they came to a more open space on
the mountainside. " Now," said Brasidas, " we

may begin to look for the vines."
" Yes," said Chartas, " now we must sep-
arate and keep hidden."
As he said this he turned to the right and
made his way cautiously forward, while Brasi-
das crept along a cliff to his left.
Suddenly Chartas dropped behind a huge
rock. Above him a man, dressed in a leather
chiton, was crossing the open space. In his
hands he carried large vessels for holding
water.
" 'Tis one of the slaves who cares for a
master's vineyard," said Chartas to himself.
He turned his head. Beyond him he saw a
grove of plane trees, and, listening intently, he
heard the splash of water. " He is going to
the fountain in the grove," he said. " The

vines are in need of water. They must be
near."
He waited until the slave disappeared in the
grove, then carefully he made his way upward.

It had been a hard climb up the mountain, and
his foot ached from the long thorn which had
been pulled away, but his one thought was to
find the vines, secure the grapes, and make his
escape unseen.
He darted forward, now stopping to crouch
behind a rock, or to stand close against a tree,
while he peered out or listened. Again he
darted on; he had seen the vines; they were
heavy with purple grapes.
Casting himself among them, he began pull-

FORAGING 23
ing the clusters. An empty water jar stood
near, and hastily he tossed the ripe clusters into
it. It was nearly full. He stopped again to
listen.
In the distance he heard a slight crackling.
It was the sound of footsteps in the grove. The

slave was doubtless returning.
Catching up the water jar, he ran farther up
the mountain, turned to his right, and stopped
again to listen. He could hear the slave, now

below him, returning to his vines. Making a
circuit, Chartas ran quickly but softly down
through the farther side of the grove, and was
once more upon the rocky pass which he and
Brasidas had climbed.
He stopped for a moment to adjust his jar,
for it was large and awkward to carry. At

the same moment he heard a shout, then a
crashing above him. One thought passed
through his mind. The slave had discovered

the loss of the jar, and was looking for him.
Just an instant he listened again. The sound

was coming nearer.
Like some wild animal of the mountains,
Chartas turned and jumped. With his bare
feet he leaped from jagged rock to jagged rock,
holding tightly to his jar, and balancing him-

self, he knew not how.
It was not the fear of losing his longed-for
grapes; it was not the fear of being beaten:

that did not matter, for the pain of that would
pass. It was the fear of a flogging before his
mates, and before the men of the city — not
the pain of the flogging, but the disgrace of
having failed.
This was the fear that made him plunge,
bare-footed, over jutting rocks ; that made him

swing over cliffs with one hand, while he
clutched his jar with the other.
At last he reached the top of the little path
which stretched away to the plain below, where
stood the houses of Sparta.

" AT LAST HE REACHED THE TOP OF THE LITTLE
PATH."
FORAGING 25
He stopped to catch his breath. What was

that? He still was followed! The footsteps
were close behind him

Once more fear lent wings to hi* feet, nor
did he notice that a trace of blood was left
wherever his feet touched the ground. He did
not even know that his hands, as well as his
feet, were bleeding. He was too much of a
Spartan to care for that, if only he did not fail.
On he sped, like the wind.

" Chartas, Chartas ! What a runner you
"
are! Stop! Let us go on together!
Chartas turned his head; caught his breath;
then dropped upon the ground. It was Brasi-
das who had chased him down the mountain
Upon Brasidas' shoulders rested a bag, filled,
like his own water jar, with clusters of grapes.
I
CHAPTER IV
THE PUBLIC TABLES
When the boys of Orestes' company gath-

ered for their evening meal, Gelon alone was
missing. Each boy, as he returned, brought
with him something for the tables, fruits, vege-
tables, olive oil, meat, or meal.
The grapes which Chartas and Brasidas
brought were placed upon the tables, that of
the old men being supplied first, for age was

respected in Sparta. No one commented upon
the scratched faces and hands of the two boys,

nor upon the marks of blood upon his feet and
the slight limp of Chartas, but the older men
looked at the boys with approval, although they
were careful that they should receive no word
of spoken praise. Only Orestes, as he met
Chartas, threw his arm across his shoulders in

26
THE PUBLIC TABLES 27
a way that meant much to the younger boy.
But even he said nothing. The Spartans were

men of deeds, not words.
The boys' tables were separate from those

of the men, but the smallest boys sat on stools
beside their fathers, and were handed their
portions of food.
After the meal the men began talking of the
Assembly, which had been held that day, and
the boys listened. They spoke of the ambas-
sador; of the singer. They gave their opin-
ions freely, and they asked many questions of

each other, and of the boys.
Then one of the men touched the strings of
his cithara, and began to sing. Others took up
the song, and soon a great chorus of men's
voices arose and filled the large room.
Chartas felt a thrill, as he always did at the
sound of music. He remembered when he had

seen a company of Spartan soldiers march away
to battle singing the same song, and he knew
that the greatest singers of Sparta had been

her bravest men.
The men stopped singing. Suddenly one of
them, named Agis, turned and, nodding toward
Brasidas, asked, " Who established the Olym-

"
pian games?
" Herakles," replied Brasidas promptly.
" What is the sacred truce? " Agis continued,
nodding at Theognis.
11
The peace which is preserved between all
the states of Greece during the games at Olym-

pia," Theognis answered.
"Why does Sparta need no walls?" came
a third question, and this time it was directed

to Theron; but Theron was not paying atten-
tion, and did not even know that he had been

spoken to. He was so intent upon teasing a
smaller boy — when he should have been lis-
tening and learning — that he now had his back
toward the speaker.

" Theron, son of Cinadon," said Agis, and
at the tone of his voice Theron started, and
turned, " you have shown disrespect to age,
and a contempt for knowledge. You may go

out and spend the night among the mountains."
Theron rose and instantly left the room. If
any among the boys or men thought the punish-
ment severe, they did not show it by word or

look, and they probably did not consider it too
severe. But Chartas, remembering his flight
down the mountainside during the day, won-

dered how he would have fared had it been
dark. " It is good to give attention," he
thought, as the door closed upon Theron.
"Why does Sparta need no walls?" The

question was repeated, and this time Agis
nodded to Chartas.
" The men of Sparta are her walls," replied
Chartas, and the grave men about the tables
smiled approvingly at the earnestness of the
boy.
Another song was sung, joking remarks were

exchanged between the men, some of the boys
were quizzed until they scarcely knew how to
answer; and then, one by one, the men arose

and bade each other good night. There were
no lights in the streets, and the streets them-
selves were irregular and unpaved. The build-
ings of the city were set here and there
without plan, and the streets wound here and

there between them. None of the younger
men carried lights, but the men who were over

sixty were carefully lighted to their homes.
Even the smaller boys of Sparta were accus-
tomed to going about without lights. But none
of the boys went home at night. From the time
they were seven years old, they slept, as well
as ate, in the public buildings which were fur-
nished for that purpose, and each company of
boys had its own quarters.
" Gelon has not yet returned," said Theognis,
as the boys of Orestes' company gathered in
their quarters.
" And now Theron is gone, too," added

Brasidas with a shrug of his shoulders.
" To sleep, boys," was the only response of
their iren, and at once the boys dropped upon
their beds of reeds.
" I wonder if Orestes will suffer for Theron's
conduct," wondered Chartas, as he tossed about,
for he well knew that the irens were held re-
sponsible for the conduct of the boys of their
company.
Chartas' muscles were lame and sore, and the
bed of rushes was far from soft, but it was the

only sort of bed he knew, and he was trained
to hardy endurance. It was not long before

he was sound asleep.
In the meantime Theron had been following

the path to the mountain, over which Chartas
and Brasidas had traveled during the day. He

might easily have hidden in the dark and irreg-
ular streets of the city until morning — but he

had been told to go to the mountains. He
might, through his love of mischief, be inat-
tentive, but he would scorn to disobey. Be-
sides, there were real dangers in the mountains
at night, and to stay in the city would be cow-

ardly, as well as disobedient — and what Spar-
tan boy could bear the brand of cowardice?
So Theron climbed the path till he came to
the steeper cliffs. " I will rest on one of these
cliffs," he said. " It is safer here than higher
up among the trees." Unconsciously he had
spoken his thoughts aloud, and as he stopped,
he heard an answering sound. He was alert at
once. It might be one of the beasts of the
mountain, for he well knew that it was the

haunt of wild animals, and that they roamed
about at night.
He held his breath and listened.
At a little distance he again heard the sound,
and then the words, softly spoken, " Can it be

"
you, Theron?
" Yes," said Theron with a ring of gladness
in his voice. "Where are you, Gelon? What

"
has happened?
" I thought it was your voice," said Gelon,
making his way to the cliff. " How came you
here? Did you fail, too?"
" No," answered Theron, " I did not fail,
for I carried a large cruse of oil to the tables.
But yet I am in disgrace." Then he explained
how he came to be sent to the mountain.
"And what of you?" he asked, in conclu-
sion.
" Oh, I am due to have a flogging," said
Gelon, reluctantly. " Not that I mind that,
but I stole a piece of meat and was making off
with it, when I caught my foot in a vine and
stumbled. I fell headlong, and scared a flock
of sheep, who ran bleating in all directions.
That called out their owner, and he saw me.
I got away without being caught, but the piece
of meat flew from my arms when I fell, and
dropped to a great distance below me, for I

was on a steep hillside. The man was upon

me too soon for me to get it again, and I would
not go back to barracks empty-handed."
" So you have stayed here in the mountain! "
exclaimed Theron. " I am glad that I came

this way. As soon as it is light, we will forage
again, and perhaps we can both find food for
the tables."
" That is good of you," said Gelon. He had

been without food since morning, but he added,
" I shall not go back till I succeed."
CHAPTER V
CHARTAS' HOME
The boys were awakened the next morning
by the voice of Orestes.

" Up, boys," he called. " Throw out the
reeds. After our morning meal you are to
gather fresh material for beds."
It did not take the boys long to carry out
Orestes' command, for there was no time spent

in dressing and undressing among the boys of
Sparta. They hastily gathered up the reeds
upon which they had slept, and soon were back
with hearty appetites.
There were no dainties set before them, but
they had plenty of coarse, plain food, and after
they had finished the meal they raced down to
the river bank. They then followed the stream
until it broadened out over a marsh. Here the

35
reeds grew thickly, and the boys were soon
wading in the water and pulling great armfuls
of them, for these were the only beds they were
allowed. In the winter they gathered down

from thistles, and with this down made their
beds softer and warmer. But this was the only
difference, although the winters were cold. If
a boy pulled too much down for his bed, he was
ridiculed by the others.

" I wonder how it fares with Theron," said
Chartas, as he bent to pull another bunch of
reeds.
" And with Gelon," added Brasidas.
Although the boys of Sparta were taught to
be hardy, and to despise a lack of courage in
any of their number, yet the fifteen boys who

made up each company were bound together
very closely by their constant association.
Nearly all the boys of Orestes' company had

homes and parents In the city, but as we have
learned, after a boy reached the age of seven,
CHARTAS' HOME 37
he became a son of the State, and his education
and training were in charge of the State. He

no longer lived at the home of his parents.
" I wonder what adventures they are having,"

Chartas said a moment later, as he returned for
another armful of reeds. He had scarcely fin-
ished speaking when he heard a shout, and,
looking up, he discovered Gelon and Theron
running down the river bank.
" Here they are," exclaimed Brasidas, " and

together! And look, look! They are carrying
"
a young pig between them !
" It is squealing yet," laughed Chartas.

" How did they ever manage to get away with
that? Well," he added, "one thing is certain.
"
The pig will save them from a flogging !
Later that day, when the boys had had their
daily swim in the river and had practised at
the gymnasium, those who wished to do so
were allowed to visit their homes.
Chartas and Theognis started off together,

for their homes were in the same part of the

city.
" "Twill soon be time for the festival," said
Theognis.
" Yes," replied Chartas, " and I suppose my
sister is practising for the dances/'
" And mine, too," responded Theognis. as he
ran on, for Chartas had reached his home.
The house of Danaus, the father of Chartas,
was a large but plain building, with an outer
court which was separated from the street by
a wall. Inside this court stood a rude image
of the god Apollo, who was believed by the
Spartans to protect and bless all who entered
the house.
As Chartas passed the image, he laid before
it a cluster of flowers which he had picked for
an offering. As he did so he murmured,

11
Grant to me, oh. Apollo, that which is hon-
orable and good." He then pushed open the
door of the house and entered.

CHARTAS' HOME 39
The door of this, as of all the houses of
Sparta, was roughly made. It had been sawed

from boards, without other finish. The ceilings
were hewed with an axe. Only the temples and

public buildings of Sparta could be beautifully
finished and ornamented. Lycurgus, who had

given the city its laws, wanted the people to
love simplicity.
As Chartas entered the house, he heard the
sound of merry shouts and laughter, and saw
his father prancing about astride a stick, while
his younger brother and sister ran after, clap-
ping their hands and trying to imitate his
steps.
Chartas laughed, too, and he wondered

whether the other men of Sparta, who seemed
— as his father did — so quiet and grave in
the Assembly and at the public tables, ever
played with their children like this.
" Ah, Chartas, "

my son !
Chartas turned as he heard the words, for he

knew that it was his mother's voice, and then

she threw her arms about him.
The children stopped their play to greet him,
and soon he was recounting, to them all, the
adventures of his company. They laughed

heartily when he told them how Brasidas had
chased him down the mountain.
" But you held to your jar of grapes! " his
mother, Helen, exclaimed.

" Yes, Mother," answered Chartas.
" That was best of all," said his mother, and
the eyes of Danaus shone, too, with approval,
for they saw that Chartas had shown the hardi-

hood and endurance which were the traits most
admired in a Spartan boy.
Then he told them about Theron and Gelon,

and of how they had returned after their night
in the mountain, carrying the squealing pig.
This story, too, was received with hearty laugh-

ter.
As Chartas finished his story, the door again

CHARTAS' HOME
opened, and a beautiful young girl entered. It
was Melissa, the older sister of Chartas.
"Ah, Chartas! " she exclaimed, " I am glad
to see you at home. We so seldom see you
now."
" It seems good to be at home," said Chartas.
"
" And where have you been?
" I have just come from the gymnasium,"
answered Melissa. " We have been practising
the dances for the festival, and, oh, Chartas!"
she added, " I am learning to play well upon
the lyre."
" Let me hear you play," said Chartas ea-
gerly.
Melissa brought her lyre and played as she
sang, and presently they all joined their voices
with hers, even the children singing with the
rest.
" I am sorry," said Chartas, when the song
was ended, " but I must go back, for it will
not do to be late. Orestes is such a splendid

captain, I would not want him blamed for any
fault of mine."
" I will go with you," said Danaus, rising.
" It will soon be time for our evening meal.
Perhaps," he added with a smile, " we may

"
have a bit of pork for our supper!
As they were walking along the street, Char-
tas pointed to an image that stood near a tem-
ple. "Why is that image placed there?" he

asked.
" I cannot tell you why," Danaus replied,

" but I suppose you know that it represents the
God of Laughter. We Spartans are considered
a grave and severe people, and so, in a way,
we are. But, so far as I know, we are the only
people who have ever erected a statue to the
God of Laughter."
CHAPTER VI
sparta's laws
After Danaus and Chartas had left the
house, Helen, the wife of Danaus, Melissa, and
the younger children, ate their evening meal
together. They were waited upon by the house-
hold slaves.
" When I am seven, I will go with Father
and Chartas to the public tables, " said the
younger brother proudly.

" Yes," replied his mother, " in two years
more you will become a son of the State. Then
you will have no mother and no slaves to wait
upon you. But you will learn how to endure
hard things, and you will become a true Spartan
of whom Mother will be proud." She laid her
hand upon his head as she spoke.

43
" I am a Spartan now," said the boy, drawing
himself up very straight.
" Yes," replied his mother, smiling, " but
not a very big one."

" Melissa," said the little fellow after their
meal was finished, " I wish you would tell me

a story."
" "
What sort of a story do you want to hear?
asked Melissa with a smile.
"Oh — about the Law-Giver of Sparta!"

exclaimed the boy with shining eyes.
" What do you know about the '
Law-Giver
of Sparta? ' " laughed Melissa.
" Oh, I know; I heard Father telling about
him one day," said the boy, with a wise shake
of his head. " Some day," he added, " I shall
learn the laws, as Chartas does, and I want to
hear the story of Ly — Ly— what was his name,
Melissa?"
" Lycurgus," said Melissa, as she put her
arm about the sturdy little fellow. " Lycurgus

SPARTA'S LAWS 45
was a very wise man," she went on, " and he
lived a great many years ago. He loved Sparta,
and he wanted her people to be wise and happy.
So he thought a great deal, and he studied a
great deal, and at last he made a set of laws
which he believed would make the Spartans a
strong, hardy, happy people.

" He wanted to be very sure that his laws
were good, so he went to Delphi, and asked the
oracle at Delphi about them.
" The oracle told him that his laws were the
best in all the world.
" So Lycurgus taught his laws to the people,
and the Spartans kept the laws.

" But Lycurgus was afraid that after he died
the people might forget his laws, or try to have
them changed, so, after a long time, when he

grew to be an old man, he told the Spartans
that he was going again to Delphi, and he had
the people promise that they would keep his
laws until he came back.

" The people made a solemn promise that
they would do this."

" And he didn't come back, did he?" inter-
rupted the boy eagerly. " I remember; Father

said so."
" No," answered Melissa, " he never came

back; and so, after all these years, his laws
are still kept — for the people promised, you
know."
" Yes, I know," nodded the boy earnestly.
" Thank you, Melissa. That was a good

story."
The laws of Lycurgus, of which Melissa had
told, were different from those of any other

country. They provided that each Spartan
should be given a certain amount of land, and
slaves to take care of it. The Spartans were
to spend their time in public affairs, such as the
military and religious festivals, the education of
the children, and the enforcement of the laws.
They did not carry on trade with other

SPARTA'S LAWS 47
countries, or engage in the manufacture even of
such articles as they themselves used. This was
done by a class of men who had been conquered

by the Spartans in battle, and who occupied a
position between that of the Spartans and the
slaves, who were called Helots.
All lines of work were passed on from father
to son. A flute player was sure to be the son
of a flute player; a maker of drinking-cups was

sure to be the son of a man who had made
drinking-cups. Even the cooks who made the
black broth which appeared so often upon

Spartan tables, had learned to make it from
their fathers, and these men in turn, from their
fathers before them.
Customs did not change in Sparta. Lycurgus
had not intended that they should.

That evening, as Chartas and Theognis were
on their way to quarters, Chartas suddenly
asked, " Had you heard that Cinadon was on
trial to-day before the ephors?"

" No," replied Theognis. " What was his

"
offence ?
" He was accused of bringing a quantity of
silver money into Sparta."
"And was he found guilty?" asked The-
ognis.
" Yes," replied Chartas, with a laugh. " He

was found guilty and ordered to go without his
dessert at table for ten days, as punishment."
Theognis, too, laughed, although a fine of
this sort was not unusual in Sparta.
" Hurry, you are late," called Brasidas, who

was standing at the door of their quarters,
and Chartas and Theognis hastened their
steps.
They were just in time to take their places for
the drill upon the laws, which every Spartan boy
was expected to learn.
Soon, in unison with the others, they began to
chant — half singing, half reciting — and beat-
ing time to the rhythm with their bare feet:

SPARTA'S LAWS 49
" When ye have builded a temple to Zeus,

To Syllarian Zeus and Syllarian Athena,
Divided the folk into tribes and clans,
And established a Senate of thirty persons,
Including the two Kings,
Ye shall summon the folk to a stated Assembly
And these shall have the deciding voice."
And thus the laws of Lycurgus were taught
from one generation to another.

CHAPTER VII
THE FESTIVAL
The day of the festival had arrived, and the
boys of the city were released from their usual
drills and exercises.
There were no school buildings in Sparta.
The boys were taught in the gymnasium or the
barracks. They learned a little reading, a little
writing, and a very little arithmetic. But
greater attention was given to teaching them
the laws; in training them to speak well in
public; to recite the great poems of Homer;

and to sing the national songs, and accompany
them with the cithara. Then, too, they were

fought to exercise, to swim, run, wrestle, ride,
play foot-ball, and throw the discus. In spite
of the hardihood of the Spartans, the rougher
sports of that time were forbidden.

50
THE FESTIVAL 51
The girls of Sparta were given much the
same training as the boys, although they were
trained separately, and their leaders were young

women. Unlike the girls of Athens, they were
allowed to go freely upon the streets, and to
join in the choruses and festivals. Only the

married women of Sparta wore veils upon their
faces when outside their homes. The Spartan
girls played upon the lyre instead of the cithara.
The most beautiful women of all Greece were
those of Sparta, for their outdoor life and ath-
letic exercises gave them clear skins, bright eyes,
and graceful, healthful bodies.

The day of the festival had arrived, and the
boys and girls of the city were released from
their usual drills and exercises.
The festival began with a procession, and the

boys of Orestes' company took their places.
First came the kings, who were to offer sacri-
fices to the gods; next the magistrates; and

after these, the men of the city, the companies
of maidens, and the companies of boys. Some

of the men rode horses, and some of the maid-
ens were in chariots, or in beautifully orna-
mented cars. They drove their horses quite
as fearlessly as the men.
As the procession moved through the streets,
the people sang a song, or paean, in thanksgiv-
ing for the bountiful harvests of the year.
They stepped lightly, in time with the music,
for their hearts were as joyous as those of chil-
dren.
They reached the temple, and here the priests
offered a sacrifice, and poured wine upon the

altar.
As the people formed in groups, here and
there, Orestes and Chartas stood together, near
the other boys of their company.
" Did you notice how well Theognis sang
the psean?" asked Chartas.
" Yes," replied Orestes. " There is some-
thing unusual about Theognis. He loves po-

THE FESTIVAL 53
etry, and music, and the graceful exercises of
the gymnasium. It is my belief that he will
some day be a poet, himself."
" Theognis a poet!" exclaimed Chartas, in
surprise. And then he added: "There is
something different about him — perhaps that
is it!"
" But see! " said Orestes.
A chorus of singers had joined hands, and
were now dancing slowly about the blazing
altar, and, as they sang, several of the men of
Sparta acted in pantomime the words of the
song.
Then a group of maidens came forward and
danced with measured steps and graceful ges-
tures, while one of their number played upon
the lyre.
" See," said Chartas to Orestes, " my sister,
Melissa, is among the dancers."
" Yes," answered Orestes, " she dances well."
And Chartas noted with pleasure that Orestes'

eyes followed her graceful figure throughout
the dance.
" Now for the war dance " exclaimed Char-

!
tas. " I think that is best of all."
A group of men took their places before the
assembly. A flute player stood among them.

There was silence for a moment, then he put
his flute to his lips. Quickly and lightly the
men began to dance, and, in perfect time to the
music, they imitated the actions of a soldier in
battle. They assumed an attitude of defence,
— crouching, and presenting their shields; they
avoided the thrust of an enemy; they sprang
up; retreated; then sprang forward to thrust
with their short swords; backward to throw a
lance; and upright to draw a bow.
The people watched with breathless interest,
for this, the Pyrrhic war dance, was best liked

of all their dances.
" Isn't "

it wonderful how well they can do it !
exclaimed Chartas.
THE FESTIVAL 55
" Yes," said Orestes, " but I shall expect you
to do it as well some day."

"I?" questioned Chartas in astonishment.
" You !
" answered Orestes with a quiet smile.
" I am to teach it to our company very soon,
and I will take special pains to drill you in it,
if you wish."
" Oh, I do! " exclaimed Chartas,
14
and I will
try my best. I would rather dance the Pyrrhic
war dance well, than take any other part in
the festivals."
" Very well, then," replied Orestes. " You

shall be given the chance."
Chartas' eyes were shining with pleasure as
Orestes said, " Come, it is our turn now."
Three groups were formed. One was of old
men; the next was of the active men of the city;
the third was of boys — the boys of Orestes'
and Procles' companies.

The old men sang:
l<<
We once were young and brave and strong."
: :
The next group responded
" And we're so now, come on and try."
Then the boys sang
" But we'll be strongest by and by."
As the boys sang, Chartas again noticed how

the voice of Theognis led all the others.
After the procession and dances, there was a
great feast. Chartas had told the boys of his
company that they were to be taught the Pyr-
rhic war dance, and it was the chief topic of
conversation while they feasted.

" Good! " Brasidas exclaimed. " That is the
dance for Spartans."
And Theognis echoed his exclamation.
" Nothing else has such perfect rhythm of

motion," he added.
Later in the day there were gymnastic exer-

cises, and the great festival day closed with
chariot races between men, and others between
girls.
THE FESTIVAL 57
11
See how well Gorgo handles her horses,"
exclaimed Brasidas, as one of the chariots swept
past him.
" Yes," replied Theron, who was beside him,
" she handles them quite as well as any man."

" That is what Spartan training does for our
girls !
" proudly exclaimed an older man who
had overheard them. " In no other country
are the girls so graceful and so strong."

CHAPTER VIII
WORK AND PLAY
The festival was the one topic of conver-
sation among the boys of Sparta during the
days that followed. Naturally, they were most
interested in the Pyrrhic war dance, and the
chariot races. The boys of Orestes' company
were eagerly discussing the news that Chartas

had brought them.
" Did you say that we were to be taught the
Pyrrhic dance ?" asked Gelon, with shining
eyes, as he pushed forward among the boys.

" Yes," answered Chartas, " so Orestes told
me at the festival."
" I wonder when we are to begin," said The-
ognis, eagerly.
" Soon, I think," Chartas replied.
" I wish it were to-day! " exclaimed Theron.

" Well, it will not be to-day," said the hearty
58
WORK AND PLAY 59
voice of Orestes, who had come upon the group
unnoticed, " so be off to your tasks. Chartas,
Brasidas, Theognis, and Gelon are to bring

wood for the fires. The rest of you," he added,
with a wave of his hand, " are to gather vege-
tables and greens for the tables."
The boys scattered at once: the four older
boys to the woods ; while the younger boys, led
by Theron, slipped away to the country outside
Sparta. Stealthily, and unseen, they crept here
and there into gardens and fields, and gathered

such supplies of vegetables as they could carry
away unseen.
"My!" sputtered Ceos, a boy of lively
tongue, as he overtook Theron later on. " I
thought I was going to lose my skin that time.
I came near getting caught, for the old slave
who was after me was very light of foot. Why

do they care so much," he added, " when they
know that the State makes us steal for the
tables?"
" Because they have worked to raise the stuff,
I suppose," said Theron laughingly.

" Yes," answered Ceos, " but it is the State
that provides them the land to raise it on. They

do not own the land."
" That is so," replied Theron, " and I sup-
pose that is what gives the State the right to
send us out foraging upon their lands. All
property really belongs to the State."

" Yes," replied Ceos, " that is the way my
father explained it to me. He says, too, that
soldiers, when marching or in camp, have to
secure their food by foraging, or starve. It is
the duty of the State to train us for soldiers."
" The girls are never sent to forage," said
Theron.
"They could do it!" responded Ceos.

" Yes, they are as quick as we are," assented
Theron, " but they do not go to war."
Suddenly the two boys stopped. Placing
upon the ground their gifts for the tables, they

WORK AND PLAY 61
stood erect, their arms folded across their
breasts, and their eyes cast down.
An old man with white hair and long white
beard passed them. He was one of the sen-
ators; and every citizen of Sparta paid to the
senators a reverence which even their Kings
might envy.
After their long tramp of the morning, the
boys were put through their exercises and drills
in the gymnasium, and later they were given

a short time in which to amuse themselves as
they pleased.
" Let us have a play,' 1
called out Theognis.
" A play ! a play !

" the other boys responded,
and away they raced to the open space just
below the city.
"What shall it be?

1
'
asked Gelon, as they
stopped for breath.

" The fruit stealers," suggested Theron.
"That is good; that is good!" cried the
others.
"Who will take the parts?" asked Bras-
idas. "Who will be thief?"

None of the boys responded.
" Well, I will be then," said Brasidas.
"Now, who will be the owner of the fruit?"
" I will take that," said Ceos laughingly. " I
saw, this morning, a fine example of the way
that should be played."
" Did you get caught? " cried Gelon.
" No," answered Ceos, " but I can imagine
the flogging. I have seen it acted at other
times," he added with a grim smile, at which
all the boys laughed.
After a few other details had been arranged,
the play began.
Ceos pretended to be busily at work among

his fruit-trees. Brasidas came running from a
distance; then he stopped, and began slowly
and cautiously to creep up to the trees. Finally
he pretended to begin picking the fruit. At

first he watched the owner of the trees, as he
WORK AND PLAY 63
worked; then, becoming eager to gather the
fruit, he became less watchful.
During the progress of the play, the other
boys looked on, occasionally imitating the ac-
tions of the two boys taking part, by a light,
rhythmic motion that was almost a dance.
Suddenly Ceos seemed to catch sight of the
thief. Quickly but quietly he ran toward Bras-
idas, and had almost reached him when Bras-

idas looked up.
Grasping, apparently, his fruit, Brasidas
darted away, Ceos but a few feet behind.

" Brasidas' longer legs will save him "
!
shouted Chartas.
" He will
!
win the race " exclaimed The-
ognis.
" Ceos is smaller," said Theron, " but he is
"
quick. See, he is holding his own !
" Good !
" shouted the boys, clapping their
hands. " Ceos is plucky."
But Ceos' legs were shorter, and the distance

between the two began to increase, when sud-
denly Brasidas, in glancing back at his pursuer,
struck his foot upon a projecting rock. His

arms, in which he had pretended to be holding
his fruit, flew wide, and he fell headlong upon
the ground.
In an instant Ceos was upon him, and with
his hard little Spartan fists he began beating
Brasidas with a right good will. Then, jump-

ing to his feet, he pretended to pick up the
scattered fruit.
The boys shouted and cheered. The play
was over.
" That was well done," said Gelon.
" You are a good runner, Ceos," said Brasi-
das heartily, as they made their way back to
the city. " Why don't you train for the foot-
race at the games? "

" I am afraid you would compete," replied
Ceos, " and there are no stones on the course
at Olympia."
CHAPTER IX
NEW ADVENTURES
Every household in Sparta had its slaves.
These slaves, or Helots, had been conquered in
battle, and for all the succeeding years they
were slaves to the Spartans. They could not
be sold, as the slaves of Athens could, neither
could they be freed, for, in a way, they were
considered the property of the State.
As we have learned, no Spartan citizen took
part in any manual labor, nor even engaged in
business. His time was spent in the gymnasium,
practising military and athletic exercises; in
hunting; in the management of public affairs;
and in religious ceremonies and festivals. He

regarded freedom from labor as freedom from
pain — as complete liberty. Yet the Spartans

65
were by no means indolent, and a lazy man was

severely punished, and held in contempt.
Sparta's laws were not written laws. It was

said that they were " written in the hearts of
her citizens," and they were administered by the
senators. The laws provided that a certain
number of slaves were to be allowed to each
Spartan, and so the slaves cultivated the farm
lands belonging to the citizens, and carried on
the household duties in the homes of the city.
Now, even the slaves of Sparta had caught,

from the festival, the desire to play.
" Come, Chartas," said Gelon quietly, as he
met him in the street, late in the day. " There
is fun in store for us. Come."

" What is going on?" asked Chartas, fol-
lowing.
" The slaves of some of the neighboring
households are about to give a play. I have
found a place where we can watch without their
"
seeing us. Hurry !
NEW ADVENTURES 67
" Wait," said Chartas. " There go Brasi-
das and Ceos. I will call them."

u
But be quick," said Gelon anxiously.
A moment later, the four boys, hidden from
the sight of the slaves, were eagerly watching
the strange sight.
The play of the slaves could hardly be called
a play; it was, rather, a wild and extravagant
dance, without rhythm or beauty; and yet, in
a rude way, they imitated various actions and
occupations of men. Some of the imitations
were funny, while others were simply awkward
and common.
" See! " said Chartas, touching Brasidas' arm.
" Watch the slave yonder. He has been drink-
ing too much. He can scarcely keep upon his
feet. Yet he is still trying to dance."
"See him stagger!" said Brasidas. " He

will fall yet."
The interest of all four of the boys was now

centered upon the drunken Helot.
As they looked, the man almost lost his bal-
ance, and tumbled against another of the com-

pany. This man turned quickly and struck him.
" See his face," said Brasidas, " how stupid
he looks."
" And how foolish he acts," added Ceos.
" Bah! " exclaimed Chartas, " it is no wonder
the men of Sparta think it a disgrace to become

drunk."
"Look again!" said Gelon. "He has
fallen."
It was true. The man lay stupidly upon the

ground, making no effort to rise again. The
rest of the company danced on, for most of them
had been drinking, and their steps, too, were
beginning to be unsteady, and their faces
bloated and stupid, while some were growing
quarrelsome.
"What a sight!" exclaimed Chartas, as he
turned away. " It seems strange that wine can

"
turn men into such beasts as that!
NEW ADVENTURES 69
" 'Tis a good thing to know that it does,"
said Gelon.
" Yes," responded Chartas, " it is a good

thing. I am glad that Spartans are taught to
despise drunkenness.
" Ah, here is Orestes," he cried, as they
started down the street, and, darting forward,
he was soon at the side of his captain.
" Well !
" exclaimed Orestes, " where did you
"
come from so suddenly?
" Oh," answered Chartas, " we boys have
been watching the Helots give one of their
plays. But it was disgusting, for they became

drunk at the last, and acted like beasts."
"'Tis good that you saw it!" exclaimed

Orestes. " Drunkenness surely does make men
like animals, or worse, for it stupefies the
brain."
"Hark! Do you hear the music?" asked
Brasidas suddenly, for the other boys had also
overtaken their captain.

" Listen !
" said Orestes.
The boys stood still for a moment.

" It is a cithara," said Orestes, " but different.
I cannot make out what the difference is."
" Let us see who is playing/' suggested Ceos.
So, together they hurried down the street.
It was not long before they came in sight of
a great crowd of boys, and in their midst was
the musician. Among the crowd were the other
boys of their company — in fact it soon seemed
as though all the boys and youths of Sparta had
been drawn to the spot by the music.
The player kept on, gratified by the atten-
tion which he was receiving. His music, as
Orestes had said, was different from that usually
heard in Sparta. Its harmonies were fuller,
stronger, and yet there was a soft, tender ca-
dence which was strangely in contrast to the
music of Sparta.
"I have it!" exclaimed Orestes at length,
turning to Chartas. " See ! We have seven

NEW ADVENTURES 71
strings on our citharas: his has nine. That is
what gives the fuller harmonies."

" Yes, but still 'tis different," returned Char-
tas. "It is not the music of the paeans; 'tis
softer, more quiet."
" You are right," said Orestes. " I should
say it was more the music of Athens than of
Sparta."
He had scarcely finished speaking when a
strong voice commanded the musician to stop,
and strong hands sent the crowd of boys scat-
tering in all directions.
" Stop !
" said the voice — and Orestes saw
that it was one of the ephors of the city speak-
ing. " Cut from your instrument its added

strings ! You are not to poison the ears of our
youth by the music of a luxury-loving people.
The Spartans are not of such! Our music is
"
free, bold, inspiring. We will keep it so !
Abashed, the musician placed his instrument
in the outstretched hand of the ephor, who cut

from it the added strings, while the boys who

had listened sped away to their quarters, and
dropped — still half-frightened at the anger in
the ephor's voice — upon their hard little beds.

CHAPTER X
A VACANCY FILLED
The next few days were days of intense ex-
citement for the boys. They were preparing

for the war game in which two companies of
Spartan boys took part each year. It had been

announced that the companies of Orestes and
Procles had been chosen for the conflict. In no
other state than Sparta would this have been
called a game.
Early upon the day appointed, a sacrifice was

made upon one of the altars, and then the two
companies of boys, to the music of the cithara
and the fife, marched away from the city to an
island which had been made ready for them.
This island was formed by ditches filled with
water, and it was reached by two bridges upon

73
opposite sides. One was called the bridge of
Herakles, and was guarded by an image of this
hero-god. The other was the bridge of Lycur-
gus, with its image of Sparta's great law-giver.
Orestes' company crossed the bridge of Her-
akles; Procles' company the bridge of Lycur-
gus, and, facing each other, they stood, quiv-
ering with excitement; eager to show their
courage and endurance.
The citizens and boys of Sparta had followed
the two companies, and now surrounded the
island, intent upon the outcome of the conflict.
The struggle began by wrestling, but as one
opponent or another was thrown, a fury seemed
to seize the boys. It was no longer a wrestling
contest; it became a hand-to-hand struggle; a
war of strength and physical endurance.

We. of to-day, can scarcely understand how
such a contest among boys could have received
the approval of sober-minded men; but the
Spartans despised pain and honored physical

A VACANCY FILLED 75
hardihood. That they should have given so
great a degree of honor to mere physical cour-
age, is the chief reproach that has been brought
against the Spartans. The moral, as well as
physical, courage which made them die in battle
rather than let a foreign army take possession

of their lands and their homes, was altogether
different from this.
When Orestes, with his victorious company

of boys, marched back to the city, they bore
grim evidence of their sturdy fighting in the
war game which Spartan custom endorsed; —

but Ceos, with his ready fun, was not with them,
nor would he be again.
The older men, however, as they marched
back to the city, said tersely, " The best sur-
vive."
The days that followed were filled as usual,
for the boys, with exercises in the gymnasium;

with tasks which took them to the mountains,
to the river, and out into the farming country;

and with lessons in music and the study of
Homer.
The poems of Homer — the Iliad and the
Odyssey — stirred the enthusiasm of the boys,
not only because they told of wars and strange
adventures, but because Helen, of whom the
Iliad told, was stolen away from Sparta, and

from her husband, Menelaus, who was one of
Sparta's early kings.
The lessons in singing were of great impor-
tance. The boys were not taught to sing alone,
so much as in chorus. They were trained by
one of the older men of the city under the super-
intendence of an ephor, or magistrate.
Every festival had its chorus of singers, and
there were many festivals. At the games and

processions there were choruses, and in every
battle the Spartan warriors advanced singing.
So the boys, and also the girls, of Sparta,
were taught to sing, and the singing was accom-

panied by the cithara, the lyre, or the flute.
A VACANCY FILLED 77
The character of the music was in keeping with
that of the people. It was severe, and yet had

a simple grandeur which inspired the singers as
well as the hearers.
"Who was Terpander?" asked the singing-

master, suddenly, during one of his lessons. He
addressed his question to Chartas.
" A great Spartan musician," answered Char-
tas. " He invented the seven-stringed lyre."

" What else did he do? " questioned the mas-
ter of Theognis.
" He won four prizes for his music at the
Pythian games," replied Theognis. " And he

once quieted a tumult in the city, by his play-
ing, — as was done at the last meeting of

the Assembly," Theognis added, with shining
eyes.
" Good," said the master. Then, turning to

Gelon, he asked :
" How many strings had the
lyre before Terpander?"
M
But two," answered Gelon.
" I wonder if the master is thinking of the
musician we heard a few days ago," said The-
ron to Brasidas. " I wonder if he thought him-

"
self a second Terpander!
The master raised his hand; the room grew

silent. Then there burst forth the stirring
strains of a Spartan war song, and the boys sang
with a will:
" Now fight we for our children, for this land;

Our lives unheeding, let us bravely die.
Courage, ye youths! together firmly stand;
Think not of fear, nor ever turn to fly."
At the close of the lesson, Orestes addressed
the boys of his company:

" Our company now numbers but fourteen,"
he said, gravely. " Penthilus, son of Androcles,
has been mentioned to fill our ranks. What

"
have you to say?
As Orestes asked the question, Theognis
stepped forth. " I have seen Penthilus show
disrespect for age. I should not like to have

A VACANCY FILLED 79
him one of our number," he said, and stepped
back to his place.

" As you know," said Orestes, " no one is
admitted into a company who is not approved
by all. I have another name: Dorus, son of
Cleomenes."
Chartas turned to Brasidas. " 'Tis the king's
youngest son."
" I know him," said Brasidas. " He is small
of stature, but strong and active."

" He already rides the swiftest horse in the
king's stables," commented Theron.

" I have heard of him as a fearless hunter,"
added Gelon.
" Will he give and take with the rest, or will
he be the king's son?" asked another of the
boys.
" He will give and take," cried Brasidas.

" Have no fear as to that."
" Are any dissatisfied with the choice of
Dorus, son of Cleomenes?" asked Orestes.

There was silence.
" He is one of us," said Orestes, — and Ceos'
place was filled.
That night, while the boys of his company

slept, Orestes paced back and forth outside the
barracks, his mind upon the war game in which
his company had taken part. His face was set;
his hands were clenched.

" 'Tis a custom unworthy of Sparta " he !
exclaimed bitterly. " 'Tis a waste of life, for
which there is no reasonable excuse ! But Sparta
requires it, and not even to Chartas may I show

"
my grief !
CHAPTER XI
A PLEDGE AND A CHASE
" The election occurs to-day," said Orestes,
as he and Chartas came back together from
their morning bath in the Eurotas.

" I knew of the death of the senator," re-
plied Chartas. " Who is likely to be elected in

"
his place?
" Two men have offered themselves," an-
swered Orestes. " One is Laertes; the other
Diodorus. Both are men of blameless lives
and upright character. They belong to distin-
guished families, and have spent their sixty years
of life in the service of Sparta. It seems to me

that it will be a close contest between them."
" But you will vote," said Chartas. " Who
"
is your choice?
81
" I shall vote for Laertes," said Orestes de-
cisively.
" And what is your reason? " asked Chartas.

" The records of the two men are equally
honorable," responded Orestes, " but since the
laws of Sparta are unwritten, and must be
delivered by the senators, it seems to me that
the man of good judgment, who is thoughtful,
and of an open mind, is the man to choose. I
believe Laertes to be such a man. He is not
easily swayed by passion; he has wonderful
self-control."
Orestes' words showed that he had weighed
the matter carefully and well, and Chartas was

impressed by the fact.
" Chartas," he added earnestly, throwing his
arm across the boy's shoulder with the familiar
gesture which always awakened a deeper love
and loyalty upon Chartas' part, " let us pledge
ourselves to a worthy purpose : let us keep our
lives so open and honorable that — if it is not

A PLEDGE AND A CHASE 83
the will of the gods that we die in battle — we

may be deserving of a place among her most
honored men."
Chartas was deeply touched. He knew that
among all the captains of the city, none was
more honored by the older men, nor more ad-
mired by the boys of the city, than Orestes.
And he had been both proud and happy that
he had been chosen as Orestes' special friend.
Now he realized, more fully than ever, what
this friendship meant to him.
" He is more than brave," he thought. " He

is honored even now, young as he is, because
he is morally brave. If he lives, he will some

day be a senator." He looked up into Orestes'
face, and, as he met the eyes of his captain, his
own shone with an answering purpose. He

slipped his hand into that of his friend, and,
with a new resolve, walked with him back to
their barracks.
Later in the day, as the boys began climbing

one of the mountain paths outside the city, they
heard a great shout, as though a multitude of
men were calling out.
They stopped.
" It is the Assembly voting," said Chartas.
" I wonder who will be elected."
" How they shout!" exclaimed Brasidas.
" I always want to shout, too, when I hear the
men. But come, we were sent out to hunt, and

we must not go back empty-handed."
" Shall we scatter, or hunt together? " asked
Dorus, but before any one could reply there was
a quick exclamation from Theron.

The boys looked. At a little distance they
saw a young fox, about half grown, trotting
along through a bit of forest.
Without a word, the boys bounded forward.
At the same moment, the fox discovered the

boys. The chase was an exciting one. The fox,
used to the rocks and ledges, as well as to the
forest, ran surely and swiftly. But the hardy,

barefoot boys were scarcely less sure of foot,
and they, too, were good runners.
Perhaps, in a more equal chase, the fox might
have outstripped them, but with more than a
dozen boys in full pursuit, it is no wonder that
it became confused, turned in its course, and,
in so doing, ran across the path of Chartas.
Chartas sprang forward, dropped, and buried
his two hands deep in the long fur of the animal.
The struggle that followed was fierce and
exciting. The boys stood about and watched,
ready to help if Chartas asked it. But they

understood too well the Spartan code of honor
to interfere unasked.
The fighters were well matched for strength,

the boy and the fox. Chartas had only his bare
hands for weapons, while the fox fought with
teeth and claws. But Chartas' hands were

strong, his muscles hard, and back of them were
a fierce courage and a wonderful power of
endurance.
\
The fox bit at his bare arms, and his legs.
It scratched and tore his flesh, but slowly Char-
tas' hands were working forward, while his
tense muscles held the frantic animal with an
unyielding hold. At last his hands reached the
throat. With all the strength of his hardened
muscles, Chartas tightened his grip. The fox
gave one spasmodic twist, and its struggle was

ended.
Then the boys shouted ! Again and again the

forest rang with their cries of " Chartas! Char-
tas!" and of " Victor! Victor!"
When their first excitement had subsided
they pressed about him, praising him, and ex-
claiming over his deed.

" Good! " cried Gelon. " That was far bet-
ter than the story we are told by our masters,
of the brave boy who let the fox destroy him.
I have always wondered why he did not choke

"
the little beast when he had it so well hidden !
Amid the laughter that followed Gelon's re-

mark, Brasidas took Chartas' hand. " Come,"

he said, " let me wash your wounds. A clean
wound is soon healed, you know."
So, laughing, praising and shouting, the boys

led Chartas to a clear stream that flowed down
the mountain, and there, in the cold water,
washed the scratched and torn flesh of the
sturdy young Spartan.
It was time for the evening meal when Char-

tas, bearing his trophy upon his back, led the
group of boys into their quarters.
Some of the older men half rose to their feet
when they saw him, and the face of Danaus

lighted with pleasure, for Chartas' burden was
all the explanation they needed for his torn and
still bleeding flesh. Some of the men openly
praised him, and all showed their approval.
He cast the body of the fox upon the floor
and, looking up, met the eyes of Orestes.
There was no need of words.

"Have your wounds been cleansed?" asked
Orestes; and there was a note of personal con-
cern in his voice.
" Yes," replied Chartas. " Brasidas washed

them in the stream."
"That is good," said Orestes; and then he
added earnestly, " You have borne yourself

"
well !
CHAPTER XII
THE DRILL
The next morning, after their regular du-
ties, and their plunge in the river, the boys went
to the gymnasium. They were making good

progress in their practice of the Pyrrhic war
dance, and they found it by far the most inter-
esting of their daily drills.
When they were in readiness, the flute player
sounded the notes to which the Spartan soldiers
led an attack when in battle. The boys were

divided for the dance Into smaller groups, and,
at the sound of the flute, each boy placed upon
his head a crown, and grasped his shield.
Then, as the stirring notes continued, they ad-
vanced by divisions, and went through the evo-
lutions of an army going into battle.

89
Their step was not the steady marching step
of the soldier of to-day. It was, rather, a
springing, dancing movement, light, and quick,
and graceful. Indeed, the soldiers of Sparta
were often spoken of as dancers, even in actual
war.
There were many positions for the boys to
learn. There was the attitude of defence, and
the movement of attack. They must learn to
crouch behind their shields; to spring up; to
thrust as with a spear. It was splendid exer-
cise for the muscles, and these lithe, sinewy
boys tingled with the joy and the exhilaration
of the play. But it exercised more than the
muscles. It made them alert, quick to hear,
quick to think, quick to act.
Chartas was foremost among the boys of
his company in the grace of his movements, and
the readiness with which he responded to the
commands of the leader. But although this
was partly due to his own natural aptitude, he

THE DRILL 91
owed much to the careful private drill of Ores-
tes.
" You dance well !

" exclaimed Dorus, ad-
miringly, as he and Chartas left the gymnasium

together.
" But Orestes deserves most of the credit,"
Chartas answered frankly.

" I know that you are the favorite of Ores-
tes," said Dorus, making the statement in the
matter-of-fact manner in which a captain's pref-
erence was always accepted, " and, to my mind,
you are the most favored boy in Sparta. There

is no other captain in the city to compare with
Orestes."
" That is true," said Chartas, with shining
eyes, for he loved to hear his captain praised.
And then he added, " I am glad we have you

in our company."
" I was pleased, I can tell you " exclaimed
!
Dorus, " and so was my father, the king."
" We are to spend the rest of the day out-

side the city," said Chartas. " Where shall we

go?"
" I should like to follow the river below
Sparta," responded Dorus. " What do you say
to that?"
" It suits me," answered Chartas. " Shall
we ask Brasidas to join us?"

" Yes," replied u
Dorus readily. I like Bras-
idas. He is a good companion, and a true
Spartan."
Both above and below Sparta, the bed of the

Eurotas lay between high, hilly lands, and on
the west towered the rocky heights of the moun-
tain. Here the stream was swift, and below
the city it tumbled over rocks, forming a rapid
cascade. But lower down the river broadened
out over a level plain. Here grew the reeds
and the rushes which the boys were sent to

gather for their beds.
To follow the Eurotas was one of the favor-
ite excursions of the boys.

THE DRILL 93
Several miles below Sparta, there were the
ruins of ancient temples and statues, and a

vaulted underground cemetery.
The three boys ran races, climbed over rocks,
or forded the river, as the impulse directed
them. Occasionally they sat down to watch
the water, or to talk.
" I wonder what gave the river its name,"
said Brasidas, as they sat watching the swift
eddies between some great rocks.
" Don't you know?" asked Dorus. " 'Tis
named for Eurotas, son of Myles. The water

used to rise and overflow the level plain below
us, destroying the crops. Eurotas had a canal
dug to keep the river in its bed. That was a
great many years ago, but the stream was named

in his honor."
" 'Tis well you told us the story," said Char-
tas. " Some of the men might have asked us
the question, and we could not have answered.
They like to catch us when they can."

" There are other interesting things about
the river," said Dorus. " But you, of course,
know about them."

" Tell us," responded Brasidas. " We may
not know, and even if we do, 'twill do no harm
to hear of them again."

" Yes, do tell us," added Chartas, for he had
already learned that Dorus was a good story-
teller.
" We all know of Helen, wife of King Mene-

laus of Sparta," said Dorus. " We know that
she was stolen by Paris and taken to the city
of Troy; and that the siege of Troy, of which
Homer tells in the Iliad, was for the purpose

of restoring Helen to her husband and to
Sparta. That much we learn from Homer."
Chartas and Brasidas nodded, but they did
not interrupt.
" But did you know," continued Dorus, " that
farther below us, on the Eurotas, there is a tem-
ple dedicated to this same Helen?"

THE DRILL 95
" No," exclaimed Chartas and Brasidas to-
gether. " How far is it? Can we not go to

"
it to-day?
" Hardly, to-day, I think," said Dorus, " but
perhaps Orestes will take all our company some
day, and let us follow the river to the sea.
That would be an expedition worth while " !
" It is twenty miles I

" exclaimed Brasidas.
" Could "
we return by nightfall?
" Possibly," said Chartas, " or we might stay
over the night and have more time to look over
the country, and to see the old temples and
statues."
" You have heard of the underground ceme-
tery of Castor and Pollux, and of the temple

erected to them?" asked Dorus.
" Yes," replied Chartas, " but I never have
seen them. Tell us the story of the Twin

Brothers, Dorus, before we return to the city."
" 'Tis not fair," said Dorus. " You and
Brasidas can tell stories as w ell

r
as I."
:
" Brasidas, then! " cried Chartas. " Tell us
"
the story, Brasidas !
" I would rather run a race, or wrestle, than
tell a story," laughed Brasidas, but for all that
he began
Castor and Pollux," he said, " were twin

11
brothers, sons of Zeus. Castor was a famous

horseman, and Pollux was a wrestler. They
both sailed with Jason when he went in search
of the Golden Fleece. They had power over

the winds and the sea.
" Pollux, only, was immortal, and when his
Twin Brother died, he begged Zeus, his father,
that he be allowed to divide his brother's fate.
Zeus gave consent, and for a long time the
Twin Brothers alternated between life and
death. But later, Zeus set them together among

the stars of the heavens. To this day the
images of these gods are carried by our kings
when they go into war."
" And it was their images that the colonists

THE DRILL 97
<l
asked for, a while ago," added Chartas, when
the war was going against them."
" Yes," assented Brasidas. " The request

"
nearly caused a riot in the Assembly!
" It is the tomb of the Twin Brothers that
we will see down the river," said Dorus.
" I am more eager than ever for the trip,"
said Chartas. " I will ask Orestes to take our
company."
"Good! good!" exclaimed the boys. " He

will be sure to do it if you ask him."
CHAPTER XIII
DAYS OF PREPARATION
All Sparta was interested in the approaching
celebration of the Carnea. This was a war-
like festival to the god Apollo, who was re-
garded as f hj leader and founder of the Dori-
ans, the race to which the Spartans belonged.
He was worshipped as their chief god, and all
the principal temples of the country were sacred
to him.
u
Apollo was called the far darting god,"
whose arrows never missed their mark. He was

said to encourage the warriors, and " with a
cloud wrapped about his shoulders," to lead
them into the thick of battle.
Apollo was also regarded as the punisher of
evil, and the avenger of wrong. He was most

08
DAYS OF PREPARATION 99
beloved of all the gods, for he was believed to
be the most friendly to man, protecting him

from evil, and healing him in sickness.
Many were the questions which the men of
Sparta put to the boys during the days of prep-
aration for the festival, for these celebrations
were not intended to be simply a time of fun
and frolic. They were regarded as a religious
ceremony, pleasing to the god in whose honor

they were given. For this reason the boys were
expected to know the stories of the gods, and
to understand the meaning of all the ceremonies
connected with the celebration.
Outside the city, tents were being erected,
and the plain on which they stood looked like
the encampment of a miniature army.
There were nine tents in all. Each tent was
to be occupied by nine men, who would live as
though in a military camp, and the celebration
would last for nine days.
The boys spent all their spare time watching

the preparations for the festival. They saw

the tents erected; they knew how they were
furnished, and what men were to occupy each
one. As they went about the plain, they amused

themselves by imagining that they were visiting
the tents of a great army, and that they, them-
selves, were soldiers.
As a group of the boys returned, one day,
from an inspection of the camp, they took an

unfrequented path that led them back to the
city by a longer way.

" I heard a new story, this morning," said
Chartas, as they walked on. " One of the sol-
diers told it to me. I liked it."
" Tell us! tell us!" exclaimed the boys in
chorus.
" The story was of Sous, one of the warriors
in the early days of Sparta. He was a king,
and a real Spartan hero," said Chartas, with
shining eyes. " One day he and his warriors
were surrounded by their enemies. They had
i
been fighting and marching on a hot day,
without a drop of water to drink. Sous
and his soldiers were almost perishing from

thirst.
" In the valley, guarded by the enemy, there
was a fountain of pure water. His soldiers
were begging for a drink, and Sous knew that
unless his men could obtain water, they must
die. So he shouted, '

I will give up all my con-
quests if I, and my army, are but allowed to
drink at your fountain.'

" His enemies were glad to recover so easily
what they had lost, and they agreed.

" As the soldiers of Sous were about to rush
to the fountain, he cried, '

Hold ! I will give
my crown to the man who can deny himself

water to drink.'
" But the soldiers rushed on, and almost
fought for the precious water which they had
been so long without.

" Sous stood by and looked at them. Then,
dipping his hand in the fountain, he moistened
his skin with the water, and turned away with-
out drinking.
" '
I still can deny myself,' he said.
1
The
"
crown is mine !
'
"Fine! fine!" exclaimed the boys, as Char-
tas finished.
story," said Theognis, "

14
That is a good and
it was well told."

11
Chartas will yet rival you in story-telling,
if you are not careful," said Brasidas.

" Oh," replied Theognis, " he is already a
worthy rival."
" "
Have you another story as good as that?
asked Dorus.
" No," replied Chartas with a laugh. " But
perhaps some one else has."
No one volunteered, and just then Gelon gave
a hasty exclamation.
"Look at that miserable hut!" he said.
"Who can live in such a place? But see," he

added, " there is a man coming out of the
door."
The boys looked, and at once their gaze
was held by the strange appearance of the

man.
The men of Sparta wore their hair long,
while that of the slaves was cropped close.
But the hair of this man was long upon one
side of his head, and cut close upon the other.
His cloak hung upon him in rags.
He was hurrying along the path now, his eyes
upon the ground. The boys were strangely
quiet. As he drew near to them, he glanced
up, and, seeing them, he stepped aside, and,
with downcast eyes, waited for them to
pass.
For some time longer the boys were silent
as they walked on. Then Theron spoke.
"Who is he?"
"A deserter!" said Dorus. " Did you not
notice his half-cropped head? I remember of
hearing my father tell about him. He ran away
from the army during an attack. He might

better have been killed, for then he would have
been a hero. Now he is an outlaw. He can-
not live in the city. No one will give him fire
for his hearth. He cannot vote; he can take
no part in the games or the festivals. No one
will wrestle with him in the gymnasium. He

lives alone."
" He even made way for us in the path!"

exclaimed Theognis.
" Yes," added Dorus, " and if he were wit-
nessing a game and one of us had no seat, he
would have to give up his."
"What a terrible life!" exclaimed Brasidas.
" So that is what it means to be a deserter from
the Spartan army!"

" I have heard," said Chartas, " of a de-
serter who afterward rushed headlong into the
most dangerous place in a battle in order that
he might be killed,"
" "
I should think that they would all do that !
exclaimed Gelon.
" So should I," responded Theron.
" Fortunately," said Dorus, " there are not
many deserters from the Spartan army."

CHAPTER XIV
THE CARNEA
In the early morning, a group of young girls
might have been seen climbing some of the
lower slopes of the hills. It was the first day
of the Carnean festival, and they were in search
of vines and flowers as offerings for the altar
of Apollo. Among the girls were Melissa,
Chartas' sister, and Gorgo, who had driven her
chariot so fearlessly at the last festival.
" I know where there are late roses in blos-
som," said Melissa. " Come with me, and I
will show you." A group of the girls followed,
as she climbed a near-by hill.
" Oh, how beautiful!" they exclaimed, as
they came upon the bushes, bending with fra-
grant blossoms.
106
" THE GIRLS MADE A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE WITH
THEIR LIGHT DRAPERIES AND FRESH FLOWERS."
THE CARNEA 107
They filled their arms with the clusters, and

when they could carry no more, they started
back toward the city.
Others of the girls joined them as they went

on.
" What lovely trailing vines you have found,
Gorgo," said Melissa, as they met.
" But not more lovely than your roses," re-
plied Gorgo.
The girls made a beautiful picture with
their light draperies and fresh flowers. They

seated themselves upon the ground and began
fashioning garlands and sprays of bloom, while
they talked of the festival, and of the part that
they were to take.

" There are strangers in the city," said
Gorgo, as she laid aside a garland. " I wish
they would not come to our festivals."
"Why do you wish that?" questioned a
young girl, who sat beside her.
" Because," replied Gorgo, " they think it

strange that we take part in the contests and
the choruses. In Athens, only the men take
part. The girls must stay at home. And when

they do go upon the street, they must wear veils
over their faces, and speak to no one."

" And do you think these strangers are from
Athens?" asked Melissa.

" Yes," answered Gorgo, " I think so. They
wear embroidered cloaks, and jeweled orna-
ments, and they talk and laugh like girls."

" But they are young, are they not?" asked
another of the girls.
" They are not boys," replied Gorgo. " But
you will doubtless see them for yourselves.

Come," she added, rising, " it is time we re-
turned, and our garlands are finished."
The statue of the Carnean Apollo was of
wood, and for many, many years it had stood,
uncovered by any temple. But it was for this
rude wooden image that the girls of Sparta were
preparing their offerings of flowers and gar-

THE CARNEA 109
lands. At the sound of flute and cithara, they
hastened and took their places in the proces-
sion.
As the girls advanced with graceful steps and
gestures, and laid their offerings upon the altar
of the god, the people sang a joyous chorus of
thanksgiving for the peace and plenty that
Sparta had enjoyed.
The nine days of the festival were filled with
sacrifices, processions, military drills, and music.
It was a time of rejoicing for all the people,
and especially for the boys of Sparta, for they
were trained to be soldiers, and the war-
like character of the Carnea pleased them

mightily.
Some of the boys lingered beside the altar,
after the exercises of the day.

!"
"Think how long this image has stood
exclaimed Theognis, as he threw himself upon
the grass and picked up a flower which had

fallen from one of the garlands.
" 'Tis said," replied Chartas, stretching him-
self upon the ground beside Theognis, " that

it stood here when Menelaus and Helen ruled.
It must have witnessed the stealing away of

Helen."
" Yes," added Dorus, " and the setting out
of the fleet to bring her back from Troy."

" It makes the poems of Homer seem more
real, to think of that," said Brasidas. " Perhaps
it will be easier for me to remember my lines
if I think of them in connection with the Sparta
that I know, and of this image, which was
standing then."
One part of the festival was given up to

musical contests, both of singers and of those
who played upon instruments, and the victors
were crowned with wreaths of laurel. It was

for honor that they sang, not for gifts, and the
laurel wreath won for its wearer the praise and

honor of all.
" I wonder if I shall ever be crowned a vie-

THE CARNEA 111
tor in such contests," said Theognis to himself.
"Oh, I hope that I may!"

He had been thrilled by the music of the
choruses, but the singing of the men who, one

by one, competed for the prize, had stirred him
even more.
No one knew Theognis' secret, but he had
composed more than one song, which he stole
away by himself to sing. No one else had heard

them, but often when the boys of his company
were sent to forage or to hunt, he went quietly
away, and it was then that he sang his songs.
His voice was strong, sweet, and flexible, and
this the boys of his company knew, for they
heard him sing in the choruses. Orestes alone
guessed that Theognis would some day be a
poet, but it was to Chartas only that he had

told his belief — and Chartas had almost for-
gotten what he had said.
It was near the close of the festival that the
foot-race of the girls took place. It was a beau-

tiful sight, and the Spartans loved beauty,
though only a free, rugged beauty pleased
them.
The girls were dressed in soft white gar-
ments, and they ran like the swift, free children
of nature that they were. The matrons of
Sparta, their faces veiled, watched the contest.
" What would our sisters in Athens say to

such sport as this?" exclaimed one of the
strangers of whom Gorgo had spoken.

" They would wish to live in Sparta, I think,"
replied another of the group.
" But not when they had tasted the Spartan
black broth and barley bread !

" exclaimed a
third, with a laugh.
" That is right," said the second speaker,

" although one must admit that the Spartans
do not live upon bread and broth only, as our
Athenians claim."
" Quite true !
" said the first. " But, be-
ware," he added, in a lower tone, " some of

THE CARNEA 113
these Spartans are scowling upon us even now.
We had better hold our tongues."

The festival closed with the singing of a great
paean, in which all the people joined.
When it was all over, and the city returned
to its usual quiet life, with no tents standing
upon the plain, and no crowds or sound of music

in the streets, life seemed dull enough to the
boys. But they took up their drills, and games,
and music, and soon settled down to their every-
day life again.

CHAPTER XV
THE TRUCE BEARERS
-
" Who are these? " asked Brasidas of Char-
tas, as two strange men entered Sparta near

the close of a summer day. " They must have
traveled some distance," he added, noticing
their dust-covered cloaks.
" They are travelers, surely," replied Char-
tas, and then, laying his hand upon Brasidas'

arm, he said eagerly, "I wonder — can it be
that they are the truce-bearers from Elis?"
" Truly, I believe that they are !

" exclaimed
Brasidas. " Come, let us follow."
The travelers looked about them with inter-
est, as travelers in a strange city will, and the
two eager boys followed.

Presently the men reached the market-place
of the city, and entered.

114
THE TRUCE - BEARERS 115
" We can go no farther," said Chartas, in
a disappointed tone, as he stopped.

11
No," said Brasidas, stopping also. " I
have no desire to be flogged for so common-

place a reason as entering the market-place. I
did not know that Melon was so foolish till
yesterday."
" Melon !
" said Chartas. " Of Procles' com-
"
pany? What of him?
" Did you not hear? " asked Brasidas laugh-
ingly. " He was flogged last night for entering
the market-place. A slave was running from

his master, and Melon's curiosity got the better
of him, and he followed."
" He must have been curious " exclaimed !
Chartas, with an answering laugh. " Was he
so anxious to see the slave flogged that he forgot
own "
his safety?
" I think that, to-day, he will have more sym-
pathy for the slave," chuckled Brasidas.

" I wonder," said Chartas, " why it is that
we boys are never allowed in the market-
place."
" Spartans are not trained for farmers or
tradesmen," said Brasidas, " and I suppose if
we were allowed there, we would be idle and
curious. But, listen," he added, " I believe
they are coming back."
Brasidas was right. The two men were now

accompanied by some of the magistrates of the
city. Before the strangers went a herald who

called :
" Attend, ye people ! The Elean truce-
"
bearers of Zeus address you !
The people stopped in their various occupa-
tions. They came from their homes, and from
the temples, and gathered in the streets as the
truce-bearers went about proclaiming their mes-
sage :
" No army may invade another's territory.
All must live in peace, that the sacred games
at Olympia may be celebrated without inter-
ruption or discord."
There was general rejoicing throughout the
city, as the truce-bearers proclaimed their mis-
sion, and the approaching games became the
chief topic of conversation.
" Your father has been to the games," said
Gelon to Chartas, as the boys were together
later. " Tell us what it is like at Olympia. He

"
has told you, has he not?
" Yes," replied Chartas, " but it is better to
hear from one who has seen for himself."

" But none of us have been. Tell us what
you can," urged the boys.

" Of course we know that everybody goes
who can," said Chartas, " and Father says that
the roads leading to Olympia are filled with
travelers of every age, and every station in life.
Some ride, but many more walk.

" At Olympia," he continued, " there is a
great temple with an image of Zeus, which is
made from ivory and gold. The image is forty
feet high. All the people go there with offer-

ings, but those who are to take part in the
games go before the image and take oath that
they have a right to compete, and that they
will use only fair means to win.
" In the groves there are many statues of
victors, besides temples and altars to the gods.

" A course is laid out for the games, and
the people sit in the seats and upon the hillsides
which rise all around it."
" It must be a wonderful festival !

" ex-
claimed Brasidas.
" Yes," continued Chartas, " Father says that
it is like a great market-place, too, for mer-
chants bring all kinds of goods there to sell.
But our Spartan money is not of much use in
buying from foreign merchants, nor have they
much to sell that could be used in Sparta. We

care too little for luxuries, nor would they be
allowed within the city.
" On the last day," Chartas resumed, " there
are processions in honor of the victors, and sac-

rifices of thanksgiving are made to Zeus. Then

the city of Elis gives a great banquet in honor
of those who have won victories in the games."

" I wish we all might go " exclaimed Dorus.
!
" Perhaps some of us may compete at the
next Olympiad," said Theognis, and then he
blushed under his swarthy skin, because he had
spoken his thought.
" Four years is a long time to wait," said
Dorus, " but it will give us time to practise the
games, and perhaps find out what we can do
best."
" I have heard it rumored," said Brasidas,

" that Gorgo plans to send her chariot and
horses then."
" 'Tis too bad that she cannot drive them

herself!" cried Gelon. "She handles them
like a man."
" Ah, but the best drivers in all Greece are
there," said Theron. " 'Tis not like our smaller
festivals."
14
That is true," replied Gelon, " but I would
wager upon a Spartan maiden against a man of
Athens!"
"Good!" cried the boys heartily, although
they shouted at the same time with laughter.
"But Gorgo's horses are wonderful!" said
Dorus, when they had grown quiet again.

"
And all the boys agreed, " That is true !
CHAPTER XVI
" "
EARTH AND WATER
" You seem so quiet, Orestes, and so thought-

ful. Is anything troubling you? " It was Char-
tas who spoke, and he looked anxiously into
Orestes' face.
Three years have passed since we last saw

Chartas, and he is no longer a member of a
company of boys, but the captain of a company

of his own. The friendship between Orestes
and himself has grown with the years, and now
there seems less difference between their ages
than when they were younger.

" I am troubled," Orestes answered. " Not
for myself," he added, as Chartas gave a quick
gesture of sympathy, "but for Sparta — nay,
not for Sparta alone, but for Greece."

" Then you believe the rumors," said Chartas.
121
" You think the Persians are really likely to

"
invade Greece?
" Yes," replied Orestes, " I do believe the
rumors."
" But even though the Persian numbers are
great, as 'tis said," Chartas answered, " they
are a barbarian horde. They could not stand
against the trained soldiers of Greece."
Orestes smiled at the earnest face of Chartas,
but his smile was one of appreciation, not of
amusement.
" I hope you are right," he said. " But some-
times I fear it is our own ignorance that makes
us feel so secure. Mind," he added, " I do not
think we are going to be defeated if the Per-
sians come, but that the struggle will be a much

greater one than we Spartans, at least, now
realize."
" How have you learned this? " asked Char-
tas, for Orestes' earnest speech had made a deep
impression upon him.

"EARTH AND WATER" 123
" I have thought much about it," replied
Orestes, " and I have asked many questions of
those who have traveled abroad."
Chartas was silent. Persia was, to him, an
unknown land, as it was to most of the Spar-

tans, who seldom left their own country. His
gaze rested upon the road which led from
Sparta toward the hills on the farther side of
the river, but his thoughts were far beyond the
hills.
Suddenly his gaze grew intent, and after a
moment he leaned forward, as though to see
more clearly. " Who are the men coming yon-
der? " he asked.
Orestes turned and gazed as earnestly as
Chartas had done.

" They are not Spartans," he said. " One
can see their rich apparel, and they wear the
hats of travelers."
They continued to gaze, and, at length, as
the men came close, they exclaimed together,

" They are barbarians ! They are no Greeks.
What does it mean?"

As the men passed on, Chartas and Orestes
followed at a distance. The men went straight
to the market-place, passed the Temple of Fear,
and stopped before the Ephoreum. After look-
ing about them for a moment, they entered the

building.
By this time quite a crowd had gathered, for
the sight of the two strangers had awakened

the curiosity of all.
"Who are they?" "Where are they
from?" "What is their business?" These
questions were heard upon every side, but no
one could answer.
For a long time the people waited, while the
crowd increased as the news spread, until it
seemed as though every citizen of Sparta was
in the throng.
At length the ephors appeared. The stran-
gers were with them. Then these stepped aside,

"
"EARTH AND WATER 125
and the two kings of Sparta stepped from the
door of the Ephoreum.

" They must have interrupted a session of
the ephors," said Chartas, and then he stopped
and listened, for one of the kings was speaking.

" Men of Sparta," he said, " King Darius of
Persia has sent his ambassadors to demand of

us a gift of earth and water."
There was a moment of absolute silence.
Then, from every side, there arose an uproar
of sound. Men shouted, groaned, shook their
fists; there were imprecations, bellowings of
wrath, jeers, and oaths. The women who

fringed the crowd shrieked, or wailed, or
laughed aloud in derision.
The king waited. The ambassadors of Da-
rius first flushed; then grew pale.
"Earth and water!" exclaimed Orestes be-
tween set teeth. "It has come! But I wish
Darius himself were here. I wonder if he
would think the Spartans likely to become his

subjects — to pay him tribute! " For this was

the meaning of the ambassadors' mission.
Earth and water were the signs of surrender.

In the meantime the uproar continued — in-
creased. The sound had brought others from
the outskirts of the city. From all directions
they were coming, — running, shouting, inquir-
ing. And as they learned the news, they, too,
shouted defiance, threw their arms, threat-
ened.
At first the ambassadors had listened to the
mob with curling lips and heads thrown back.
But as the tumult increased their manner

changed. One of them raised his hand, and
attempted to speak.
But it was useless. The effort only roused
the mob to ridicule; and then threats of vio-
lence began to be heard.

"No, no!" cried Orestes, to a man beside
him, who was shouting threats against the am-
bassadors, " remember the honor of Sparta.

"EARTH AND WATER" 127
Let the ambassadors carry our message to their
king."
But it was like trying to stop the flow of a
mountain torrent with a man's hand. Not even

the kings could stop the mighty outburst of the
mob's anger and passion.
There was a sudden surge of the crowd. It
swept up the steps of the Ephoreum, and the
ambassadors were dragged away.
Later in the day, when the city had grown

quiet and the people had gone to their houses,
— though they still gathered in small groups
here and there, in excited conversation, —

Orestes and Chartas walked once more together
along the river bank.
A man passed them. With a savage laugh
he exclaimed :
" Darius will wait long for his
"
ambassadors !
But Orestes responded :

" And Sparta's
"
honor! What of that?
CHAPTER XVII
A RUNNER FROM MARATHON
"Of what are you thinking, these days?"

asked Orestes, as he came upon Chartas walk-
ing slowly along a footpath outside the city.
" Of Sparta's lack of readiness for war," an-
swered Chartas frankly. " Even the boys of
my company drill but half-heartedly. I think
their interests are all upon games and festivals.
I am not so good a captain as you were, Ores-
tes."
" I do not hear that from others," replied
Orestes with a smile. " But all Sparta is rest-
less," he added, " and I think it is not wholly
due to the games."
The sound of rapid footfalls and of panting

128
" THE MAN TURNED HIS HEAD FOR BUT ONE WORD."
/
A RUNNER FROM MARATHON 129
breath close behind them, made them turn
quickly. A man dashed past. His look was

strained; he half staggered as he ran; he was
covered with dust.

' 1
What news?" cried Orestes, as he passed.
The man turned his head for but one word.

" War," he said, hoarsely, as he staggered and
ran on.
Orestes and Chartas bounded forward, more
fleet of foot, now, than the runner, and when

he reached the market-place the people had
already been summoned.

" I have come from Athens," the man gasped.
" The Persian army is ready to make an attack.
Send troops; send troops, or Greece is lost!"
As the man finished he dropped, exhausted,
upon the ground.

" Where will the battle be fought?" asked
the ephors.
" Marathon," gasped the man. And it was
no wonder that he gasped, for it was learned

that he had run a distance of one hundred and
forty miles in forty-eight hours.
The word spread like fire through the city.
" A runner has come from Marathon. The

Persian army is ready to attack Athens. They
want us to send troops."
There was consternation. It was the time of

sacrificing to the gods, and it lacked five days
till the full moon. No Spartan army could
begin its march till the time of the full moon.
What could be done?

" Can the sacrifices be neglected?" asked
some.
" "
What care the Persians for our sacrifices!
exclaimed others. "Will they wait for that?

"
What about Athens?
"We must help Athens! How can we re-
fuse? " cried Orestes.

" But the sacrifices ! We must honor the
gods if we hope to win in battle !

" said the older
men.
" It is yet five days till the moon is full,"
cried another. " We cannot send our soldiers

"
until then !
" 'Twill take that time to gather our army/'
another declared — though it was but an ex-
cuse to temporize.
The counsel of the older men prevailed, as
it always did in Sparta, and after the long

five days of delay the troops were in readi-
ness.
" I am not too young to go," cried Chartas
imploringly. " And Sparta has too few men

"
to meet the Persian horde !
" He is best of all the Pyrrhic war dancers,"

said one of the men.
" If Orestes goes, we cannot hold him," said
another.
And so, when the troops marched away from

Sparta, Chartas went by Orestes' side.
After anxious days of waiting, the sounds of

!
fife and cithara were heard advancing from the
hills.
The people of Sparta flocked out, and ran
far beyond the city to meet the returning army.

Would there be few, or many? How had the
battle gone?
The entire army was returning! The people
shouted for joy.
But the soldiers marched with grim faces.
" We were too late! " exclaimed the general
in command, and it was as though he had flung
the words in the faces of the people. " We

delayed ! The battle was fought without us
But," he added, " the Persians were defeated.
The gods themselves fought for Greece."
As the army disbanded, groups formed here

and there to learn the story in greater detail.
Then the people were told how the Athenians,
though few in number, had met the Persian
host on the plain of Marathon, and had driven
them back to their ships. They were told, too.

of the size and magnificence of the invading
army, and of the rich spoils which were left
upon the field.
" Our general said that the gods had a part
in the battle," said Theognis. " What did he

"
mean by that?
" They told us strange stories when we
reached the field," said Chartas. " Some of
the people declared that the Greek soldiers were
encouraged by the god Pan, who shouted and
cheered them on from the mountains. Others
said that Theseus himself was in the thick of
the battle, clad in armor, and fighting mightily
against the Persians; and that great Herakles

appeared, and drove the barbarians into the
water, as men would drive a flock of sheep."
" 'Twas a deed bravely done " exclaimed

!
Orestes. " Would that we might have had a

"
part in it!
Theognis' face lighted as he listened. Then,
when none was noticing, he stole away to the

foot-hills. The impulse was strong upon him.
He had been stirred by the picture which Char-
tas' words had called up — of the gods fight-
ing for Greece — and easily, naturally, he
began to put the pictures into words, and then
to sing. As the pictures grew more distinct,
so the words of his song fashioned themselves
more readily, until his voice rose clearly, freely,
in a song of triumph, a paean of thanksgiving.
"Hark!" said Orestes softly, for he and
Chartas had strolled away from the noisy
groups. " 'Tis the voice of Theognis."
" Truly it is," said Chartas. " But what is
his song? I have not heard it."
u
No?" questioned Orestes, with an odd
smile. "What have I told you, Chartas?"
For a moment Chartas looked puzzled, and
then his face lighted. With a gasp of astonish-
ment he asked: " Do you think the song is his
own?"
" Listen," said Orestes again, and now they
heard the words, as Theognis sang of the battle

— of the aid of the gods in the battle.
" 'Tis his own!" cried Chartas in delight.
" Oh, Orestes, he must sing at the festi-
"
val !
" I hope that he will," said Orestes, " but we

must bide his own time."
That night, as the men sat in barracks after
their evening meal, Theognis took his cithara
and began to sing. It was his own song of the
battle.
The men listened; they leaned fonvard;
unconsciously they began to beat the time, and
when the song was finished, voices arose shout-

"
ing, " Victor! victor!
There was no laurel wreath with which to
crown him, but Theognis was satisfied, for he
knew that his song was approved; that his gift
was recognized.
The song was called for again, and yet again.
Then others began to sing it with him, until

finally all the voices joined in the new paean of
thanksgiving.
" Ah, Theognis," said Chartas, as soon as
he could join him, " Orestes has been waiting
for this, but I was stupid. I did not know."

" Orestes !
" exclaimed Theognis in surprise.
"
" How should he know?
" Oh," replied Chartas, " he has understood
"
you. But I was blind!
" But, Chartas," said Theognis, grasping his
hand, " it was you who aroused me at last. It
"
was you who gave me the subject for my song !
CHAPTER XVIII
for sparta's honor
Once more the truce-bearers of Olympia had

come to Sparta with their message of peace.
" Let us pray the gods that we may be able
to keep the truce !

" exclaimed Orestes.
" But the games are in honor of the gods,"
said Theognis. " We cannot hope for victory
in war, if we fail to honor the gods."

" 'Tis true enough " replied Orestes thought-
!
fully.
"You are going to the games?" questioned

Chartas of Theognis. " You must go," he
added, " and enter the musical contest with
your song."
" Yes," answered Theognis, " I am going,
and —" he flushed as he added, " I hope to

sing."
137
" Many who were of our old company are

going," said Gelon. " You are, of course,"
he added. " You have trained for the foot-
race."
" Yes, I have trained," replied Chartas, but
he said no more.
" "
Gorgo is sending her chariot and -horses!
exclaimed Dorus. " I hope they will win."
It was later in the day when Chartas again
met some of his friends, and again the subject
of the Olympic games was mentioned. The

boys had not understood his apparent indiffer-
ence of the morning, for he had taken his many

months of training for the foot-race with such
enthusiasm and perseverance that they all had
predicted that he would win. x\nd now, when

he said, in answer to a question from Gelon,
" I shall not compete," they were too greatly
surprised even to speak.
Chartas looked into their faces. He had
hoped to be able to show them what Orestes

FOR SPARTA'S HONOR 139
had shown him, of the danger that threatened

Greece: of the need of standing ready for in-
stant action. The battle of Marathon, too, had

opened his eyes to the size and character of the
Persian army, and he knew that the defeat of
the Persians there would by no means end the

invasion; and of this, too, he had hoped to
convince them.
But what Chartas saw when he looked into
the faces of his friends held him speechless.
It was a dawning look of distrust; even of
scorn.
Could it be that these friends, with whom he
had lived day by day, through all the years of
his boyhood and youth, could believe for a
moment that he was a coward? So the faces
told him!
With a suffocating, choking sense of resent-
ment, anger, hurt, he turned and strode
away. He could not speak, nor would he,
now.
" I have no heart for the games this year,"
said Orestes, later, when he and Chartas were

alone together. " If it were not that you are
to compete, I should not go."
" But I shall not compete," said Chartas
quietly. " I have already withdrawn." He

turned his face, that Orestes might not see its
expression, for his hurt w as

T
still fresh and
keen.
"What! Not compete? And you have
trained for the foot-race, and are almost sure
to win " cried Orestes.

!
" I had thought to go," said Chartas, " but
even though it is the time of the truce, some-
thing tells me that Sparta will have need of men

at home."
It was some moments before Orestes an-
swered. Then he laid his arm across Chartas'

11
shoulders with the old gesture, as he said, It
must have been a hard struggle to give it up.
Aye, it took courage, more than most of your

age could summon ! But, Chartas, you are
right. What do the Persian hordes care for
the sacred games of Greece?

" But, listen !
" he added. " The heralds are
summoning the people. Let us see what it
means."
Together they hurried to the place of assem-
bly.
As soon as the people had gathered, one of

the aged senators stood forth. There was a
hush over all as he began to speak.

" Men of Sparta," he said, " we are soon to
send competitors to the Olympic games, in
honor of the gods. Can the gods accept the
offerings of those who are dishonored?"

"
" No !
" shouted the people. " No !
" But we are dishonored! " exclaimed the sen-
ator, his voice ringing as he flung out the words.
" In the heat of passion we have slain two
innocent men."
There was a murmur at this, partly of ap-

proval, partly of disapproval. But he went
on.
" The men came as ambassadors. They bore

a message from their king. Had we acted with
honor, we would have sent them back — empty-

handed, to be sure — but we would have sent
them back to their king.
" But Sparta has a conscience," he continued,
" and Sparta's conscience is at length aroused.

"
We must wipe out the stain upon our honor!
"Yes, yes!" cried many voices among the
throng, while others shouted, " How can we do

it?"
" There is but one way," said the aged man.
He was silent as his gaze swept over the up-
turned faces of the multitude. " But one way "

!
he repeated slowly. Then, after an impressive

pause, he added :
" We must send two men to
Darius, to fare at his hands as his ambassadors

"
did at ours !
There was a breathless silence.

Then there was a movement among the
crowd, and at almost the same instant four
Spartans stood before the senator, and as one
man they said :

" I will go. For Sparta's honor,
I will go."
The senator looked at the men. " Sperthias,
Bulis, Orestes, Chartas !

" he cried. " But two
are needed. The lot shall be cast."
Again Orestes' arm rested upon Chartas'

shoulder, as he whispered, " Pray the gods that
"
we may go together!
But it was not to be. The lot was cast,
and the names of Sperthias and Bulis were
called.
There was no shout. A feeling of solemnity
fell upon the people, as they realized the price
that must be paid for their rash and dishonor-

able act.
Quietly they dispersed, talking in low under-
tones, and with grave faces.
Chartas felt a hand placed upon his arm.

Turning, he faced his father, and beside Danaus
were his mother and Melissa.

Melissa caught his hand, and held it close,
while his mother threw her arms about him —

but said no word.
11
My son," said Danaus simply.
11
you have
made us both proud and happy.''
Then a group of young men sought out
Orestes and Chartas. Turning toward the
group, the friends stood in the attitude so famil-
iar to them all.
Dorus was the first to speak.
" Chartas," he said, " yesterday, after you
left us, I called you a coward, because you with-
drew from the foot-race. I thought you feared
the trial. Now I hate myself for having had
such a thought. I should have known you

M
better!
11
We should all have known you better,"
cried Theron and Gelon.

"And I!" exclaimed Brasidas, pressing for-
ward. " After all the years we have been to-
gether, even I wondered if you lacked courage."
His face flushed. " Courage !

" he added, with
intense self-scorn, " and you would have died
for Sparta s honor! n
THE END.
1
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BOSTON

Each volume illustrated with full page plates

Our Little Roman Cousin of Long Ago

The Page Company

All rights reserved

First Impression, June, 1914

THE COLONIAL PRESS

Digitized by the Internet Archive

It has not been the intention of the author

to confine the scenes of this story to a given

date, but rather to select events which are

typical of the Spartan life and character, and so

to present a composite picture which is truly

representative of a people unique in the history

The story closes during the stirring times of

the Persian invasion, but even here the author

claims some of the license of the story-teller,

though with no contradiction of fact, nor use

of the imagination not fully warranted by Spar-

One of the objects sought has been to show

the true nobility and rugged simplicity of the

Spartan character, for it is scarcely credible

that the citizens of the State which for so long

a time was the acknowledged leader of all

Hellas, could have been so wholly rude and

savage as they are sometimes depicted.

Acknowledgment is hereby made of the au-

thor's indebtedness to " Miiller's Dorians " for

the invaluable aid which Professor Miiller's

comprehensive treatment has afforded.

Pronunciation of Proper Names xii

II. The Assembly 9

The boy who shouted the challenge stood

poised, ready for flight. His head was thrown

thrust before him, touched the ground lightly.

It was Chartas who called, and at the sound

of his voice the whole group of boys, fifteen in

number, threw themselves into the same atti-

tude, and, at a word, sped away to the banks of

the river. Reaching there, they hastily threw

off the one garment which each wore, and

ger, whose lithe limbs gave him an advantage

in running, splashed first into the water.

" He always wins in running," said Brasidas,

count for so much then."

The splashing water almost drowned Brasi-

das' words, for the fifteen boys were swimming,

ducking, plunging, and frolicking like a school

'Twould be different if 'twere a battle."

chievous boy named Gelon. As he spoke he

and tripped him, face forward, into the water.

Chartas quickly recovered ^himself, dashed

after Gelon, and a lively tussle followed. The

water flew in all directions, and the other boys,

the two wrestlers, dashing it into the face of

the one they hoped to see defeated.

The boys were well matched, but the river

bottom was slippery, and as Gelon gave a turn

to his antagonist's arms his foot slipped and he

shouted the boys, as Gelon came up sputter-