The retreat of the Persians.
150.Meanwhile Darius determined to set out for the bridge with his army: for he saw that the Scythians were invincible. But since the greater part of the Persian army was infantry, but the Scythian army consisted of cavalry, the Scythians reached the bridge much sooner than the Persians. So they spoke as follows to the lonians who were in the ships: ‘Now indeed cut the bridge, and go away quickly, having recovered your liberty. Our army is in pursuit of the flying Persians.’
Deliberations of the Ionians.
151.Therefore the Ionians took counsel about these things. And this indeed was the opinion of Miltiades the Athenian: ‘Let them obey the Scythians, and free Ionia.’ On the other hand, Histiaeus of Miletus advised them to remain. The opinion of the latter prevailed. So the part of the bridge which faced the Scythian bank having been cut to the length of a javelin’s cast, that they might seem to be doing something, and lest the Scythians might attempt to offer violence, Histiaeus addressed the Scythians thus: ‘Men of Scythia, we shall do what you desire. The bridge is cut. Now you can slay the Persians.’ Then the deceived Scythians returned to attack the Persians.
Darius and his army escape.
152.Meanwhile the Persian army arrived; but when they had seen the bridge cut they greatly feared that they were being deserted by the lonians. There was then with Darius an Egyptian, endued with the loudest voice of all men. Darius ordered him to stand on the bridge, and call Histiaeus of Miletus. When he did this, Histiaeus at once joined the bridge, all the ships having been got ready to bring the army across. Thus the Persians escaped from the hands of the Scythians.
V.A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE.
153.Formerly a certain Sandoces was set over the city of Cyme. Darius ordered him to be led to the gallows, on finding
