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Such is the account which the Scythians give of their origin. They
add that from the time of Targitaus, their first king, to the
invasion of their country by Darius, is a period of one thousand
years, neither less nor more. The Royal Scythians guard the sacred
gold with most especial care, and year by year offer great sacrifices
in its honour. At this feast, if the man who has the custody of the
gold should fall asleep in the open air, he is sure (the Scythians
say) not to outlive the year. His pay therefore is as much land as he
can ride round on horseback in a day. As the extent of Scythia is
very great, Colaxais gave each of his three sons a separate kingdom,
one of which was of ampler size than the other two: in this the gold
was preserved. Above, to the northward of the farthest dwellers in
Scythia, the country is said to be concealed from sight and made
impassable by reason of the feathers which are shed abroad abundantly.
The earth and air are alike full of them, and this it is which
prevents the eye from obtaining any view of the region.
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