That was all he told me, and we managed to
eke out a wretched existence in the interval.


 


When the games were about to begin we also
were among the spectators, for Sisinnes dragged
me out, persuading me that it would be a pleasure to see the wonderful Greek games, and
brought me to the theatre. Sitting there we first
saw wild beasts infuriated with darts and then
chased by dogs, or let loose upon bound men,
who, we concluded, were criminals. Then the
single fighters entered, and the herald, bringing
forward a well-grown youth, said that whoever
wished to fight him was to come into the arena
and get two thousand dollars, the wages for fighting. At this Sisinnes rose, and, leaping into the
arena, offered to fight, and asked for weapons.
When he received the money he brought it to
me and gave it into my hands. "If I should
win, Toxaris," he said, "we will go off together
with plenty of money, but if I fall, bury me and
go back to Scythia." Thereupon I cried out,