Periphas perceived that his position was very critical. Without releasing Byssa’s arm, he drew his sword.
“Beware!” he shouted fiercely, “I’ll hew down on the spot the first one who approaches.”
And, as Byssa still did not loosen her grasp from his belt, he muttered between his teeth.
“Follow me, or by Zeus....” He did not finish the sentence, but his sinister glance left no doubt of his meaning.
Byssa trembled, for she thought of the soothsayer of whose death she had heard.
“You are the stronger!” she said, and allowed herself to be led up the bank without resistance.
At the top Periphas turned and shouted:
“Women, the first one who shows herself here I’ll give up to my bondmen.”
But the Pelasgian had nothing more to fear. The sight of the naked sword had banished the women’s courage.
He now carried Byssa among some small hills, where a low, two-wheeled vehicle, drawn by two horses, was waiting under the charge of a slave. “Get in!” said Periphas imperiously, then, to render her more yielding, added: “No harm shall befall you! I only want you to serve me as a hostage.”