Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners/Part IV/VII
VII.DARIUS AND DEMOCEDES.
Darius meets with an accident.
161.After the private property of Oroetes had been carried to Susa, it happened to King Darius to twist his foot while dismounting from his horse out hunting; and it was twisted in a rather severe manner, for the ankle-bone had slipped from the socket So he made use of the Egyptian doctors, whom he thought the best in medicinal skill; but they increased the evil by twisting the foot and applying great force.
The captive surgeon.
162.So, then, when he had passed seven whole days and seven nights without sleep, on the eighth day some one tells Darius, while suffering greatly, that he happened to have heard formerly at Sardis the skill of Democedes greatly praised. And the king ordered him to be brought to him as quickly as possible; and when he was found among the slaves of Oroetes he was brought forward into the midst, dragging his fetters and clothed in rags.
He cures the king.
163.The king questioned him while standing in the midst, whether he was skilled in the medical art; but he said he was not, fearing that there would be no hope left of returning to Greece if he were recognised. But Darius, understanding that the man was dissimulating, and that he was skilled in the art, ordered whips and goads to be brought forward into the midst. Then he confessed, and said that he had not indeed been taught the art accurately, but that he had some little acquaintance with it in consequence of a friendship which he had had with a certain doctor. Then, when the king had entrusted himself to him, by using Grecian drugs, and applying gentler remedies after more violent ones, he contrived both that the king should get a sleep, and in a short time made him sound and healthy, after he had never expected to get back the right use of his foot.
His reward.
164.Thereupon, Democedes, having been presented by Darius with two golden fetters, asks the king whether he returns to him a double evil for making him well. And Darius being delighted with this saying, sent him to his wives; and the servants producing him, said to them that this was the man who has saved the king’s life. Then each one of them, drawing up gold from a chest with a saucer, presented Democedes with so great a gift of gold, that a servant who was following him, whose name was Scito, collected a great quantity of gold for himself from the coins which had fallen to the ground.