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Xerxes, when he saw the extent of his loss, began to be afraid lest
the Greeks might be counselled by the Ionians, or without their
advice might determine to sail straight to the Hellespont and break
down the bridges there; in which case he would be blocked up in
Europe, and run great risk of perishing. He therefore made up his
mind to fly; but, as he wished to hide his purpose alike from the
Greeks and from his own people, he set to work to carry a mound across
the channel to Salamis, and at the same time began fastening a number
of Phoenician merchant ships together, to serve at once for a bridge
and a wall. He likewise made many warlike preparations, as if he were
about to engage the Greeks once more at sea. Now, when these things
were seen, all grew fully persuaded that the king was bent on
remaining, and intended to push the war in good earnest. Mardonius,
however, was in no respect deceived; for long acquaintance enabled him
to read all the king's thoughts. Meanwhile, Xerxes, though engaged
in this way, sent off a messenger to carry intelligence of his
misfortune to Persia.
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