“By Zeus and all the gods in heaven,” he cried, “I will hold them as dear as my own life.”
“The gods reward you for it,” said Memnon, wringing his young friend’s hand, while the unaccustomed tears gathered in his eyes.
Then silence fell between the two. It was interrupted by the approach of a sailor.
“My lord,” said the man, addressing himself to Memnon, “there is a boat coming out from Miletus with a flag of truce.”
“Ha!” cried Memnon, “they are sending for you. Well I am sorry to part. But it is for your good, and for mine too, for I trust you as I would trust my own son.”
Turning to the man who had brought the message, he said, “I expected the boat. Tell the captain from me to lie to till she boards us.”
When the little craft drew near enough for the occupants to be distinguished, Memnon burst into a laugh. “Ah!” he said, “they have put a proper value on you, my young friend. They have positively sent all four. I did not like, as I told you, to ask for more than one; but here they all are. It is not exactly a compliment to them; but they won’t mind that, if they get their freedom.”
Very shortly afterwards the boat came alongside; and a Macedonian officer climbed up the side of the galley. He made a profoundly respectful salutation to Memnon, and then presented a letter. The document ran thus:
“Alexander, King of the Macedonians, and Commander of the United Armies of the Hellenes to Memnon, Commander of the Armies of the King, greeting.