8 KEY TO EASY LATIN STORIES. [pabt i.
VII.A CROCODILE HUNT.
29.Crocodile hunting is practiced in many (and) different ways. The huntsman lowers into the middle of the liver a pigskin, fastened on a hook for a bait. He himself on the river bank whips a young pig. The crocodile, hearing its screams, runs towards the noise. But falling in with the pigskin, he swallows it, and is soon hauled to land. The huntsman plasters with mud the eyes of the crocodile (when) drawn on land. It is then very easily killed.
VIII.ARTAYCTES.
Deceit and sacrilege.
30.Artayctes, a Persian, once was in command of Sestos. He had deceived Xerxes when starting for Athens, having secretly carried off the treasures of Protesilaus from Elaeus. Now he had deceived Xerxes (by) using these words:‘O king, a certain Greek used to live here. He was slain a long while ago (when) making an expedition against thy kingdom. Give me now, I pray, his riches; for thus all men will never afterwards dare to make an expedition against thee.’ Therefore Xerxes (was) deceived (and) gave the house of Protesilaus to Artayctes. But the latter (having) taken everything from Elaeus brought them with him to Sestos.
Vengeance overtakes him.
31.But afterwards the Athenians having attacked Artayctes unawares, besieged Sestos for a long time. The Persians at length within the walls being reduced to extremity, were compelled to eat the ropes of their hammocks. When these were consumed, Artayctes, with his son, betook himself to flight by night. Being, however, soon taken by the Athenians, he was brought again to Sestos in chains.
