Nevita.
Should the Persian army reach the defiles a day later than we, they will—if they cannot injure you in any other way—turn westward against your ships——
Julian.
And seize a vast amount of booty, wherewith to continue the war——
Nevita.
If we could leave twenty thousand men with the ships, they would be safe——
Julian.
What are you thinking of! Twenty thousand? Well nigh a third of our fighting strength. Where would be the force with which I must strike the great blow? Divided, dispersed, frittered away. Not one man will I detach for such a purpose.
No, no, Nevita; but there may be a middle course——
Nevita.