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At present, however, he dissembled; and the Athenians were
persuaded by his words. For they were ready now to do whatever he
advised; since they had always esteemed him a wise man, and he had
lately proved himself most truly wise and well-judging. Accordingly,
they came in to his views; whereupon he lost no time in sending
messengers, on board a light bark, to the king, choosing for this
purpose men whom he could trust to keep his instructions secret, even
although they should be put to every kind of torture. Among them was
the house-slave Sicinnus, the same whom he had made use of
previously. When the men reached Attica, all the others stayed with
the boat; but Sicinnus went up to the king, and spake to him as
follows:
"I am sent to thee by Themistocles, the son of Neocles, who is the
leader of the Athenians, and the wisest and bravest man of all the
allies, to bear thee this message: 'Themistocles the Athenian,
anxious to render thee a service, has restrained the Greeks, who were
impatient to pursue thy ships, and to break up the bridges at the
Hellespont. Now, therefore, return home at thy leisure.'"
The messengers, when they had performed their errand, sailed back to
the fleet.
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