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And now a third turn came to the career of Democedes. He was classed among the slaves of Oroetes, and sent with them in chains to Susa, the capital of Darius, the great Persian king. But here the wheel of fortune suddenly took an upward turn. Darius, the king, leaping one day from his horse in the chase, sprained his foot so badly that he had to be carried home in violent pain.

The Persians were indignant at the treatment which they had received, and set sail immediately along the coast toward Crotona in pursuit of Democedes. They found him in the market-place in Crotona, haranguing the people, and exciting, by his appearance and his discourse, a great and general curiosity.

Democedes received the equivocal donation with great good nature. He even ventured upon a joke on the subject to the convalescent king. "It seems, sire," said he "that in return for my saving your limb and your life, you double my servitude. You have given me two chains instead of one."

"The physician Democedes is from Crotona, a place which must be somewhere very near the setting sun." "But is inhabited by Greeks, like Athens." added Oroetes. "Ah, my young friends, you must beware of those fellows; they're as cunning, deceitful, and selfish, as they are strong, clever, and handsome." "Democedes is generous and sincere," cried Zopyrus.

They were to bring back what information they could, and on peril of their lives to bring back Democedes. If they returned without him it would be a sorry home-coming for them. The king then sent for Democedes, told him of the proposed expedition and what part he was to take in it, but imperatively bade him to return as soon as his errand was finished.

"The physician Democedes is from Crotona, a place which must he somewhere very near the setting sun." "But is inhabited by Greeks, like Athens." added Oroetes. "Ah, my young friends, you must beware of those fellows; they're as cunning, deceitful, and selfish, as they are strong, clever, and handsome." "Democedes is generous and sincere," cried Zopyrus.

Democedes, the most celebrated physician of our day, whom you Samians will have known at the court of Polycrates, hastened to the spot, but no skill could now avail the happy Lysander, he was dead. "Milo was obliged to forego the victor's wreath"; and the fame of this youth will long continue to sound through the whole of Greece.

He is sent to Darius. Democedes is cast into prison. His wretched condition. Darius sprains his ankle. The Egyptian physicians baffled. Sufferings of Darius. He sends for Democedes. Democedes's denial. He treats the sprain successfully. Darius's recovery. The golden fetters. Democedes released. Honors conferred on him. Atossa cured by Democedes. His conditions. Atossa with Darius.

One of these women was A-tos´sa, the favorite queen; and when she became ill, Democedes was fortunate enough to save her life. The king was so delighted with this cure, that he bade Democedes choose any reward he pleased except his freedom.

Democedes was sent for and effected the cure; later he healed the Queen Atossa of a boil. Instructed by him she advised Darius to send a commission of fifteen Persians to spy out the Greek mainland under Democedes' guidance. After an exciting series of adventures the physician succeeded in returning to his native city. But the idea of an invasion of Greece had settled on Darius' mind.