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Then Themistocles, who thought that if the Ionian and Carian ships
could be detached from the barbarian fleet, the Greeks might be well
able to defeat the rest, called the captains together. They met upon
the seashore, where the Euboeans were now assembling their flocks and
herds; and here Themistocles told them he thought that he knew of a
plan whereby he could detach from the king those who were of most worth
among his allies. This was all that he disclosed to them of his plan
at that time. Meanwhile, looking to the circumstances in which they
were, he advised them to slaughter as many of the Euboean cattle they
liked - for it was better (he said) that their own troops should
enjoy them than the enemy - and to give orders to their men to kindle
the fires as usual. With regard to the retreat, he said that he would
take upon himself to watch the proper moment, and would manage matters
so that they should return to Greece without loss. These words
pleased the captains; so they had the fires lighted, and began the
slaughter of the cattle.
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