After this he kept him company, caring for him and serving him in every way. He hired himself to the merchants at the docks from daybreak till noon, and earned a good wage as a stevedore. Then, leaving his work, he handed over part of his earnings to the jailer, whom he thus rendered gentle and peaceable, and the rest sufficed him for his friend's maintenance. Through the day he used to stay with Antiphilos, cheering him up; but when night fell he would rest close by the door on a little bed he had made, with leaves thrown on it. Some time, then, they passed in this way, Demetrios being free of entry and Antiphilos finding his misfortunes easier to bear.

But after a certain robber died in the prison, apparently of poison, a strict guard was instituted, and no permissions whatever were granted to those who asked to visit the prison. In these circumstances Demetrios was in despair and grief, and, having no other means of being near his friend, he went to the governor and denounced himself as having a share in the undertaking against Anoubis. At this statement he was forthwith taken off to prison and brought to Antiphilos, for by many prayers to the jailer he contrived by his authority to be fastened next to his friend in the same stocks. It was then he showed most plainly the tenderness he had for him by disregarding his own sufferings. And yet he fell ill himself, but he suffered the less because his mind was bent on securing rest for his friend. So they bore their troubles lightly, being together.

After a while an event happened, as follows, which put an end to their misfortunes. One of the prisoners provided himself with a file from some source or other, and, with many of the captives for accomplices, sawed off the chain to which they were fastened in a row, their wooden collars being hung on it, and set them all free. They had no difficulty in killing the guards, who were few in number, and then scattered in all directions as each best could, most of them being taken again afterwards. But Demetrios and Antiphilos stayed on the spot, and even held Syros, who was in the act of running off. When day broke and the governor of Egypt heard what had happened, he despatched men to pursue the runaways; but sending for Demetrios and his friend he freed them from their fetters, and praised them for having been the only ones who did not make off. However, they were not the men to be satisfied with this dismissal. On the contrary, Demetrios cried aloud with indignation that it would be a great injustice if they were to appear to be criminals who had been liberated out of pity or by way of commendation for not having run away, and finally he compelled the magistrate to make a careful examination of the matter. When he had informed himself of their innocence he dismissed them with eulogies, expressing great admiration for Demetrios in particular, and condoling with them on the punishment which they had unjustly borne. He made them each a present out of his own pocket, two thousand dollars to Antiphilos and twice as much to Demetrios.

Antiphilos is still living in Egypt, but Demetrios left his four thousand dollars also with him and went off into Egypt among the Bramins, saying only this to Antiphilos, that his conduct in leaving him so soon would surely be excusable; he had no need of the money as long as he kept his present character of being able to do with little, and Antiphilos had no need of a friend now that his affairs were going smoothly. Such are Grecian friends, Toxaris, and if you had not already slandered us by saying that we pride ourselves on our phrases, I should have related to you the many noble arguments that Demetrios used in court, not defending himself at all, but Antiphilos, actually with tears and supplications, until Syros was flogged into acquitting them both.

My story, then, is told of this handful of good and true friends out of the many that memory first supplied me with, so I will now descend from the post of orator and leave the floor to you. But you had better be careful to make your Scythians out no worse than these, but a good deal better, unless you want to lose your right hand. You must speak up like a man, for it would be an absurd experience for you if, after having praised Orestes and Pylades like a professional orator, you should prove an indifferent speaker in behalf of the Scythians.

Toxaris It is all very well that you spur me on to speak! Don't you care whether you lose your tongue by defeat in the contest? But I will begin directly without any of your phrase-making; that is not our way in Scythia, particularly when the deeds speak louder than the words that tell of them. You need not expect me to follow you in elaborating the praises of a hero who married a plain wife without a dowry, or another who gave two thousand dollars as a wedding-present to a friend's daughter, or even one who offered himself for imprisonment with the certainty of a speedy release. For all these are trifles, and not one of them calls for exertion or courage.