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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.
I now come to you from Mastira's brothers in Alania: they would have you make the best of your way to Bosphorus at once, or you will find your crown on the head of Eubiotus, Leucanor's bastard brother, who is a friend to Scythia, and detested by the Alanians. In language and dress, Macentes resembled an Alanian; for in these respects there is no difference between Scythians and Alanians, except that the Alanians do not wear such long hair as we do.
'Behold, said Macentes, presenting Mazaea to Arsacomas, 'behold your promised bride. Arsacomas, amazed at so unexpected a sight, was beginning to express his gratitude: but Macentes bade him hold his peace. 'You speak, he exclaimed, 'as if you and I were different persons, when you thank me for what I have done.
Macentes had completed the resemblance by cropping his hair to the right shortness, and was thus enabled to pass for a kinsman of Mastira and Mazaea. 'And now, Adyrmachus, he concluded, 'I am ready to go with you to Bosphorus; or, if you prefer it, I will escort your bride. 'If you will do the latter, replied Adyrmachus, 'I shall be particularly obliged, since you are Mazaea's kinsman.
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.
'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.
The news of this reached Macentes while he was on his way to Machlyene, and on his arrival there he was the first to announce the king's death. 'You, Adyrmachus, he added, 'are his son-in-law, and are now summoned to the throne. Ride on in advance, and establish your claim while all is still unsettled.
If you go with us, it is but one horseman more; whereas no one could be such a suitable escort for my wife. And so it was settled: Adyrmachus rode off, and left Mazaea, who was still a maid, in the care of 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.
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