Georg Ebers - Ultimate Collection: 20+ Historical Novels & Short Stories. Georg Ebers
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morning.”
“That is too late.”
“Well then, in a quarter of an hour, when it is quite dark, at this gate of the palace.”
“I shall expect you.”
So saying the man vanished. Once within the palace, Gyges left Bartja and Zopyrus, fastened his sword into his girdle, begged Darius to do the same and to follow him, and was soon standing again under the great portico with the stranger, but this time in total darkness.
“Auramazda be praised that you are there!” cried the latter in Persian to the young Lydian; “but who is that with you?”
“Darius, the son of Hystaspes, one of the Achaemenidae; and my friend.”
The stranger bowed low and answered, “It is well, I feared an Egyptian had accompanied you.”
“No, we are alone and willing to hear you; but be brief. Who are you and what do you want?”
“My name is Bubares. I served as a poor captain under the great Cyrus. At the taking of your father’s city, Sardis, the soldiers were at first allowed to plunder freely; but on your wise father’s representing to Cyrus that to plunder a city already taken was an injury to the present, and not to the former, possessor, they were commanded on pain of death to deliver up their booty to their captains, and the latter to cause everything of worth, when brought to them, to be collected in the market-place. Gold and silver trappings lay there in abundance, costly articles of attire studded with precious stones...”
“Quick, quick, our time is short,” interrupted Gyges.
“You are right. I must be more brief. By keeping for myself an ointment-box sparkling with jewels, taken from your father’s palace, I forfeited my life. Croesus, however, pleaded for me with his conqueror Cyrus; my life and liberty were granted me, but I was declared a dishonored man. Life in Persia became impossible with disgrace lying heavily on my soul; I took ship from Smyrna to Cyprus, entered the army there, fought against Amasis, and was brought hither by Phanes as a prisoner-of-war. Having always served as a horse-soldier, I was placed among those slaves who had charge of the king’s horses, and in six years became an overseer. Never have I forgotten the debt of gratitude I owe to your father; and now my turn has come to render him a service.”
“The matter concerns my father? then speak—tell me, I beseech you!”
“Immediately. Has Croesus offended the crown prince?”
“Not that I am aware of.”
“Your father is on a visit to Rhodopis this evening, at Naukratis?”
“How did you hear this?”
“From himself. I followed him to the boat this morning and sought to cast myself at his feet.”
“And did you succeed?”
“Certainly. He spoke a few gracious words with me, but could not wait to hear what I would say, as his companions were already on board when he arrived. His slave Sandon, whom I know, told me that they were going to Naukratis, and would visit the Greek woman whom they call Rhodopis.”
“He spoke truly.”
“Then you must speed to the rescue. At the time that the market-place was full.”
[The forenoon among the Greeks was regulated by the business of the
market. “When the market-place begins to fill, when it is full,
when it becomes empty.” It would be impossible to define this
division of time exactly according to our modern methods of
computation, but it seems certain that the market was over by the
afternoon. The busiest hours were probably from 10 till 1. At the
present day the streets of Athens are crowded during those hours;
but in Summer from two to four o’clock are utterly deserted.]
“Ten carriages and two boats, full of Ethiopian soldiers under the command of an Egyptian captain, were sent off to Naukratis to surround the house of Rhodopis and make captives of her guests.”
“Ha, treachery!” exclaimed Gyges.
“But how can they wish to injure your father?” said Darius. “They know that the vengeance of Cambyses—”
“I only know,” repeated Bubares, “that this night the house of Rhodopis, in which your father is, will be surrounded by Ethiopian soldiers. I myself saw to the horses which transport them thither and heard Pentaur, one of the crown-prince’s fan-bearers, call to them, ‘Keep eyes and ears open, and let the house of Rhodopis be surrounded, lest he should escape by the back door. If possible spare his life, and kill him only if he resist. Bring him alive to Sais, and you shall receive twenty rings of gold.’”
[It is no longer a matter of question, that before the time of the
Persians, and therefore at this point of our history, no money had
been coined in Egypt. The precious metals were weighed out and used
as money in the shape of rings, animals, etc. On many of the
monuments we see people purchasing goods and weighing out the gold
in payment; while others are paying their tribute in gold rings.
These rings were in use as a medium of payment up to the time of the
Ptolemies. Pliny XXXIII. I. Balances with weights in the form of
animals may be seen in Wilkinson. During the reigns of the
Ptolemies many coins were struck.]
“But could that allude to my father?”
“Certainly not,” cried Darius.
“It is impossible to say,” murmured Bubares. “In this country one can never know what may happen.”
“How long does it take for a good horse to reach Naukratis?”
“Three hours, if he can go so long, and the Nile has not overflowed the road too much.”
“I will be there in two.”
“I shall ride with you,” said Darius.
“No, you must remain here with Zopyrus for Bartja’s protection. Tell the servants to get ready.”
“But Gyges—”
“Yes, you will stay here and excuse me to Amasis. Say I could not come to the evening revel on account of headache, toothache, sickness, anything you like.”
“I shall ride Bartja’s Nicaean horse; and you, Bubares, will follow me on Darius’s. You will lend him, my brother?”
“If I had ten thousand, you should have them all.”
“Do you know the way to Naukratis, Bubares?”
“Blindfold.”
“Then go, Darius, and tell them to get your horse and Bartja’s ready! To linger would be sin. Farewell Darius, perhaps forever! Protect Bartja! Once more, farewell!”
CHAPTER VIII.
It wanted two hours of midnight. Bright light was streaming through the open windows of Rhodopis’ house, and sounds of mirth and gaiety fell on the ear. Her table had been adorned with special care in Croesus’ honor.
On the cushions around it lay the guests with whom we are already acquainted: Theodorus, Ibykus, Phanes, Aristomachus, the merchant Theopompus of Miletus, Croesus and others, crowned with chaplets of poplar and roses.
Theodorus the sculptor