Now Amizokes was taken prisoner, and as they
were leading him off he called upon his friend by
name, cruelly bound as he was, and reminded him
of the cup
of blood. When Dandamis heard him
he did not hesitate an instant, but swam across to
the enemy with all of us looking on. The Sauromatians, lifting their darts, set on him as if to kill
him, but he shouted the word "Ziris!" When a
man says this word the enemy do not kill him,
but receive him as a messenger about exchange
of prisoners. So he was led to the commander,
and of him he demanded his friend. The commander

 

asked for a ransom, saying the prisoner
should not go forth unless he got a great price
for him. "All that I possessed," said Dandamis, "has
been pillaged by you. But if, stripped as I am,
I can in any way pay the price, I am at your service. Command what you will. If you like, take
me in his stead, and use me as you see fit."
"There is no need," said the Sauromatian, "to
keep the whole of you, particularly as you came
saying 'Ziris!' but lay down a part of what you
have, and you may take your friend."
Dandamis asked what he wanted, and the other demanded his eyes. He instantly presented
them to be cut out, and when this had been done,
and the Sauromatians were in possession of the
ransom, he received Amizokes and went away
leaning on him, and together they swam across
and returned to us saved.