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Meanwhile, Lonchates arrived unknown in Bosphorus, and presented himself co the king, who was occupied at the moment in affairs of state. 'I come, he said, 'on public business from Scythia: but I have also a private communication of high import to make to your Majesty. The king bade him proceed.
He succeeded at last: the lion, abandoning his half dead prey, turned upon Belitta, grappled with him, and slew him; but not before Belitta had plunged a scimetar into his breast. Thus all three died together; and we buried them, the two friends in one grave, the lion in another close by. For my third instance, I shall give you the friendship of Macentes, Lonchates, and Arsacomas.
These terms we accepted, at the instance of Arsacomas and Lonchates, who conducted the negotiations and concluded the peace. Such, Mnesippus, are the deeds that Scythians will do for friendship's sake. Mne. Truly deeds of high emprise; quite a legendary look about them. With Wind's and Scimetar's good leave, I think a man might be excused for doubting their truth. Tox.
'And yet, he added, 'I told him of my wealth: told him that I had the friendship of Lonchates and Macentes, a more precious and more lasting possession than his kingdom of Bosphorus. But he made light of it; he jeered at us; and gave his daughter to Adyrmachus the Machlyan, because he had ten golden cups, and eighty waggons of four seats, and a number of sheep and oxen.
They had borne the brunt of the attack, and both were wounded: Lonchates had a spear-thrust in his thigh, and Macentes, besides a cut on the head from an axe, had had his shoulder damaged by a pike. The Machlyans were unable to withstand the fury of his onset; their ranks divided, and made way for him to pass.
He thus succeeded in reaching the place where he had left his horse tethered, leapt on to his back, and rode off into Scythia. There was no pursuit: the people of Bosphorus took some time to discover what had happened; and then they were occupied with disputes as to the succession. Thus Lonchates fulfilled his promise, and handed the head of Leucanor to Arsacomas.
But the other and smaller division was completely surrounded by the Alanians and Machlyans, and was being shot down on every side by the copious discharge of arrows and javelins; the position became intolerable, and most of our men were beginning to throw down their arms. In this latter division were Lonchates and Macentes.
And you, Arsacomas, can stay at home; and as we are likely to want an army before we have done, you must be getting together horses and arms, and raise what men you can, A man like you will have no difficulty in getting plenty of people to join him, and there are all our relations; besides, you can sit on the ox-hide. This being settled, Lonchates set off just as he was for the Bosphorus, and Macentes for Machlyene, each on horseback; while Arsacomas remained behind, consulting with his acquaintance, raising forces from among the relations of the three, and, finally, taking his seat on the ox-hide.
If this be so, each of us has his share in this disgrace. 'Not only so, rejoined Lonchates; 'each of us labours under the whole ignominy of the affront. 'And what is to be our course? asked Macentes. 'We will divide the work, replied the other. 'I for my part undertake to present Arsacomas with the head of Leucanor: you must bring him his bride. 'I agree.
He has now been on the ox-hide for seven days, and has got together a considerable force. 'I had heard, exclaimed Leucanor, 'that an army was being raised on the hide: but who was raising it, and what was its destination, I had no idea. 'You know now, said Lonchates.
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