“Well what do you propose that I should do?” asked Cimon after he had drained his cup.
“Nothing for the present but talk,” answered Leobotes. “You are popular and influential. A word from you will go twice as far as a lengthy speech from either Ephialtes or myself.”
“Do you really think my influence could be felt?” asked Cimon as he arose to leave.
“My dear young man,” Leobotes made answer, and his tone was ingratiating, while at the same time he turned and gave a knowing nod to Ephialtes, “Much is expected of you as the son of a brave soldier. Your name is on the tongues of many, and there is only one man who stands between you and the highest of mortal attainments. Need I say more?”
CHAPTER XX.
The Ward of Themistocles.
“Talk of thy doom without a sigh;
For thou art freedom’s now, and fame’s,—
One of the few, the immortal names
That were not born to die.”
Fitz-Greene Halleck.