"Who are ye?" asked Alexander.
"We are the Amazons, women who are skilled in war and in the art of hunting," they answered.
"Lead me to your queen," commanded Alexander, "and bid her surrender, for I am Alexander, the Great, of Macedon, and conqueror of the world. I fight not by night, for I scorn to steal victories in the dark, and my men are armed with magic spears of gold and silver and are therefore invincible."
The queen of the Amazons appeared before him, a beautiful woman, with long raven hair.
"Greeting to thee, mighty warrior," she said. "Hast thou come to slay women?"
"Perchance it is you who will triumph over me," replied Alexander.
The queen of the Amazons smiled.
"Then shall it be said of thee," she replied, "that thou wert a valiant warrior who conquered the world, but was himself conquered by women. Is that to be your message to history?"
King Alexander was a man of learning and of wisdom, as well as a great soldier, but the words of the queen of the Amazons were such that he could not answer. He bowed low before the queen and with a gesture indicated that he had naught to say.
"Then it is to be peace," said the queen. "At least, before thy return, let me prepare for thee a banquet."