Ow! LITTLE SPA RTAN COU SIN O F LONG A GO

JULIA DARROW COWLES Author of Our L ttle Roman C ous n of Lon A o i i g g , ” Our L ttle A then an C ou s n of L on A o etc . i i i g g , Copyrighi, 19 14 , by

THE PAGE COMPAN!

All rights reserved

F rst Im ress on une 1 1 i p i , J , 9 4

C O L O N IA L PRE SS

S N U . S . C . H . SIMOND S C O . , B O TO , THIS STORY OF SPARTAN C OURAGE AND END U RANC E IS LOVINGLY DEDICATE D TO BROTHER FRAN! LOOMIS ! ARROW

Pre fac e

IT has not been the intention o f the author to confine the scenes o f this story to a give n

to w date , but rather select events hich are

o f a so typi cal the Spartan li fe and char cter , and to p resent a compo site picture Which is truly representative o f a pe ople unique in the history o f mankind .

The story cl o ses during the stirring times o f the Persian invasion , but even here the author

i o f o f - cla ms some the license the story teller,

o f nor u se though with no contradi ction fact , o f the imagination not fully warranted by Spar

tan hi story .

One O f the obj ects sought h as been to Show the tru e nobility and rugged simplicity of the Vii v iii PREFACE

r Spartan character , for it is sca cely credible that the citizens o f the State which for so long a time was the a ckn owledged leader o f all

8 0 Hellas , could have been wholly rude and

as savage they are sometimes depicted .

Acknowledgment is hereby made o f the au

’ ’ thor s indebtedness to Muller s Do ri ans for

’ the invaluable aid whi ch Pro fessor Mulle r s f comprehensive treatment has af orded . C o n te n ts

PREFA C E PRONUNCI A TION O F PR OP ER NAM ES A SPA RTA N C O M PA NY TH E ASS EMB L! FO RA GI NG TH E PU B LI C TAB LES ’ C H A RTA S HOME ’ SPA RTA S LA W S

TH E FESTIVA L WOR ! A ND PLA Y NE W AD V ENTU R ES A VA CA NCY FI LLED A PLED GE A N D A C HAS E TH E D R I LL

D A YS O F PR EPA RA TION TH E C A R N EA TH E TR UCE B EA RE R S EA RTH A N D WA TER

! A RUNN E R F R OM MA RATHON ’ FO R SPA RTA S HONOR

List o f Ill u st ratio ns

PAGE C HARTAS Frontis piece

AT LAST H E REAC HED TH E TOP O F TH E L I 'I' I‘ L E ” PA TH

MELI SSA BROUGHT H ER LYRE AND PLA YED A S SH E S A NG

A N O LD MA N WITH WHI T E HAIR AND LO NG WHITE B EA RD PA SS ED TH EM

TH E GIRL S MADE A B EA UTI F U L PI CTU RE WITH TH EIR L IGHT DRAP ERI ES A ND F RESH F L OW ERS

TH E MAN TU RN ED HI S H EAD F O R B U T O NE WO RD Pro nu nc iatio n o f Pro p er N am es

' ’ A gis Il i-ad ' ’ A -leu as J a so n ’ ’ A n dro -c le S L a- e r t e s ' ' A -p ol lo Ly - c u r gu s ’ ’ A S- Sem b ly M ar a- t ho n ’ ' A —t he n a M e—lis s a ’ ' A - t he ni- an M e l o n ' ' At h e ns Me n— e - la u s ’ ’ B ra s i- das My les ’ ' C a r—ne a Od ys - sey , ’ Gas t o r O - ly m p i— a ' ’ C e O S O-lym p i- ad ' ’ C h ar t as O—re s t e s ’ C i n a- do n Pan ’ ' C le-o m e-ne s P ar is ’ ’ D an a- u s Pe n t hi- lu s ’ ’ D a- r i u s Pe r Sia ’ ’ D e l p hi Pe r Si ans ’ ' ' Di O - do ru s Po l l u x ’ ’ D o ri- ans Pro cl e s ' ’ D o ru s Py r rhic ' ’ E-le an Py t h i- an ’ ’ E lis So u s ’ ' E-p ho re-u m Sp a r t a ’ ' Eu — ro t as Sp ar t an ’ ’ G e lon Sp e r t hi-as ’ ' Go r go Sy l- l a r i-an ’ G ree ce Te t - p an de r ’ ’ H el en The-og nis ' ' H e l ot s Th e ron ’ ’ H e r a- kles The s eu S (s u s! ' H o m e r Troy ’ ' Hy a-c in t hu s Zeu s (zu s! O u r L ittle Sp artan C o u s in o f L o ng A go

CHAPTE R I

A S PARTAN C OM PA N !

A RA C E ! a race ! Who Will plunge first into Eurotas ?

The b oy who shouted the challenge stood

o H i f r . s poised , ready flight head was thrown

hi one back , s arms were extended , and foot ,

thrust before him , touched the ground lightly .

who It was Charta s called , and at the sound o f his voice the Whole group of boys , fi fteen in

number , threw themselves into the same atti

to o f tude , and , at a word , sped away the banks

r1v er . R the eaching there , they hastily threw 2 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

o ff the one garment which each wore , and

plunged into the stream .

won ! as c Chartas they cried , the hallen ger , Whose lithe limbs gave him an advantage

in running , splashed first into the water .

“ ” in B rasidas He always Wins running , said ,

but wait till we wrestle . His speed will not

” for O count S mu ch then . The splashing water almost drowned Brasi

’ das words , for the fifteen boys were swimming , i S duck ng , plunging , and frolicking like a chool

of young porpoises .

However , Chartas had heard . Yes , he

“ answered , I like to show my back in a race .

’ ’ ” Twould be different i f twere a battle .

” H ow about your back now ? asked a mis

‘ ch v o ie u s boy named Gelon . As he spoke he

dived quickly , caught Chartas by the ankles ,

and . tripp ed him , face forward , into the water

Chartas quickly recovered ‘himself , dashed h an i . T e a fte r Gelon , d a l v ely tussle followed

4 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

s Instantly the wre tling stopped , and the boys

Not for turned . a hand went back a final

r splash , for these we e Spartan boys, and the

o fi rst lesson they had lea rned was t o b ey .

In a moment they had slipp ed into thei r chitons , and were hurrying toward the gym n m asiu .

A s they started , Orestes threw hi s arm across

r r wo the shoulde s of Cha tas , and the t followed

a little more slowly .

“ - r To mor ow the Assembly meets , said

“ Orestes , and I shall send you boys foraging .

See how well you can a cquit yourself , for I

” want to be proud of you . “ I wish I were old enough to attend the

“ ' I know l Assembly , said Chartas , but you wil

to tell me what takes place . I Should like listen

” “ — to the speeches , but then , he added , it is

r r . I S do a e sport to forage , and hall my

best .

“ I know you will , said Orestes , looking A SPARTAN COMPANY 5 with genuine pride and affection at the younge r

boy .

When they reached the gymnasium the othe r s were already selecting their quoits for throw

r ing . They paid no heed to the open prefe ence of their captain for Chartas, since every cap hi tain of boys in Sparta had s favorite pupil . The captain ’ s favorite was given special train ing and special teaching ; but he was not saved

o r from hardships dangers . I f he had been , he

c om an would , himself , have hated it , and his p

ions would have held him in contempt . Instead ,

was he given harder tasks , and was thrown into greater dangers in order that he might gain

to courage and endurance , and be able prove

For himsel f keen and una fraid . these were the qualities whi ch made the Spartans the most

r O he oic men f all Gree ce .

’ to Now your places , said Orestes , and , in

for exer a moment , the boys were ready their

cises . There was no donning O f gymnasium 6 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

. w as r r suits The chiton thei one garment , wo n on was all occasions . It a sleeveless Shirt of

wool .

o f - Then began the exercise quoit throwing , in which each boy sought to send his quoit or discus with the best aim and to the greatest

distance .

one o f Theo nis As the boys , named g , took

one o f up his quoit , the smaller boys darted out

o f his place .

” n D O Stand back ! shouted Theog is . you want to play the part of Hyacinthus and be stru ck down ? ”

r Theo nis The boy etreated , and g threw his

quoit .

“ ” ! r for Bravo c ied the boys , the discus had sped far beyond that o f any other thrower .

h o ni r T e g s th ew back his head , as he stood

r was o f e e ct . He shorter than most his com

pany . He could never win in a race , and in w restling he was often thrown ; but his discus A SPARTAN COMPANY 7

r a was th owing was alw ys good , and he glad to

“ r have won this bravo f om the boys .

A S r r r the quoits we e put away , O estes tu ned

“ suddenly to Theo gnis and said ! ou re fe rr ed

a moment ago to Apollo and H yancinthu s.

” Tell us the story .

The ognis did not hesitate ! Hyacinthus was loved by the god Apollo , and they were often

r r togethe . One day a s they we e playing at a

game of quoits , Apollo threw his discus . It

r his r H acin Slipped f om hand , and , st iking y

r thus , Slew him . Apollo was deeply g ieved .

He had loved the beauti ful boy , and now he

was . dead , slain by his own hand But Apollo ,

od not r g though he was , could b ing him back

o SO o acinthus t . li fe , Where the blood n had

r b e moistened the ea th , caused a beauti ful pur

o ple flower t grow , and he named the flower the

” hyacinth .

“ Your tale is as well told as your discus was

” well thrown , said Orestes , and once more 8 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

Theo nis thrill ~ o f r g felt a pleasu e , for praise

’ fr om one s captain was not easily gained in

r Spa ta .

r was But though p aise not easily gained , it

’ w as a pa rt of each boy s t raining to answe r sud den and unexpected questions and to give his

answers as clea rly and as briefly as he could . This questioning taught him to think quickly

to r r . so and exp ess his thoughts eadily And , though the Spartan boys we r e exp ected to be

O r Silent when with the lde men , unless they

r were addressed , they lea ned to listen well , and

r a r for to keep thei minds le t , a question might

n be put to them at the most unexpected mome t , and it was a disg race not to be able to answer

quickly , briefly , and well . CHAPTE R II

TH E ASSEMB L!

TH E streets o f Sparta presented a lively

scene on the following day .

as o f It w the monthly meeting the Assembly , and every street was filled with a moving

o f for r throng . Men all ages were there , eve y citizen who was old enough to bear arms could

vote . The meeting was held in an op en space

o f just west the city .

Spart a was ruled over by two kings and

- s who twenty eight magistrate , were called

ephors . These thirty men could make plans ,

and propose changes in the government , but they must tell their plans to the whole people

one o f at the Assemblies , and let them vote

“ ” es or no a y , . In this way Sparta w s gov

erned . 10 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

Pro cl es o f Orestes and , another captain a

o f . company boys , were together

”

d . The crowd is making way , sai Orestes

Pro cles Yes , replied , the kings and

ephors are taking their places .

The great gathering o f people was made up

o f principally the men of Sparta , each dressed

in his chiton , over which was draped the hima

or tion , cloak . This cloak consisted O f a square

of cor piece cloth , sometimes rounded at the

ners . It was thrown over the left arm , brought

loosely across the back under the right arm , and the end again thrown back over the le ft

r Shoulder . Thus the ight arm was left free ,

while the le ft was covered by the grace ful dra

r o f o f r pe y the himation . Some the men wo e

hats with a broad brim , but the greater number

r had their heads bare . All wore thei hair long ,

and arranged in a knot upon the crown o f the

head .

Occasionally a young man would be seen with

12 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

e and their yes cast down . Yet with quick glances they took note of any unusual

Sights .

Who i s the man in splendid garments , who has hi s hair parted and fastened with a j eweled

” r ? Pro cl o nament asked es quietly . “ He must be an ambassador from Ath

e . ens , perhaps , said Or stes

“ But see the gold and embroidery upon his

cloak . I think he must come from beyond

Pro l r c es . Greece , eplied

“ Perhaps he will speak , and then we will

’ learn more about him , said Orestes .

one O r Then f the ephors a ose , and the people

r became quiet . He made a sho t speech , and ended by proposing the name o f a well -known

e for citizen for councillor . Th n he asked the

vote o f the Assembly . The citizen was Well

for liked , and when the vote was called , the voices o f the people aros e in one great shout

” Aye , aye . THE ASSEMBLY 13

Then the man of whom Orestes and Pro cles

o had spoken was allowed t address the people .

a as He w s an ambassador, they had guessed ,

o f c and came from an island to the east Gree e .

He wanted to arrange a t reaty between his

country and Sparta , but his appearance did not

please the Spartans .

“ o f He smells ointments , and his clothes are

” oo o ld far t ri chly embroidered , growled an

ho man , w stood near the boys .

“ And he would have us Spartans pay for the extravagance which we allow not in our

’ 3 own country , replied the man to Whom he had

spoken .

There were murmurs o f disapproval from the

crowd While the ambassador spoke , and when the ephor called fo r a vote giving consent to

the treaty , a few voi ces answered , but when it was asked whether th ey Should deny the re

a i of quest , mult tude voices blended like the

of roar a mighty sea. 14 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

When it had grown quiet again , another o f

the ephors spoke . He told of a war in which

o f one their colonies was engaged . They are

” “ losing ground , he said , and they beg us to

o f send them the statues the Twin Gods , that

they may bring them better fortune , and turn

” o f the tide battle in their favor .

o f At this some the people shouted , Send ! ! ” “ them Send them Others said , No , no ;

” “ oo r r it is t g eat a isk . The statues might be

” “ sea ! r lost at exclaimed othe s . Let them

” make statues of their own ! Why should we send them ou r s ?

The whole multitude was in an uproar . The angry voices increased ; the excitement grew each h moment . In vain the ephors tried to quiet t e

E ‘ people . ven the kings could not control them .

They threw up their arms ; they shouted ; they

r su ged back and forth .

Suddenly a man vaulted to a place beside the hi . i h ephors In s hand he held a c thara , and e THE ASSEMBLY 15

o f began to play . Then , to the accompaniment

r . his inst ument , he sang

No sound reached the multitude . Only those

who . looked knew that he was Singing But ,

one o r a one by , these pointed , nudged noisy

r t r neighbo , and , lit le by little , the tumult g ew

r r less ; the ang y voices d opped to a lower key,

then ceased altogether, and the throng stood

still .

o f Above the murmur , the voi ce the singer

to began be heard . Then , as the people grew

out quiet , his notes rang clear and true . He

o f o f sang patriotism , heroism , of strength in

o f o battle . He sang the deeds f the gods whom

the Sp artans worshipped . Then , by degrees , his voice grew less ringing ; its tones became

solemn and soothing . And the people listened ;

they forgot their anger and discord , and there was a hush over all the great throng .

When he stopped there was silence . Then a voice arose ! The colonists are o f our own 16 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

l to o r . we people . They, , we e Spartans Shal send the images to them ?

! es And a great shout arose , , ye s . Let the

” images go . CHAPTE R III

F O RAGI N G

TH E men o f Sparta ; and the boys from seven

r not yea s upward , did eat at home , but at public

r tables . Their meals we e simple , and all fared

E sat much the same . ven the kings with the

citizens and shared the same plain food , which

O ften consisted mainly o f black broth and barley

r b ead .

E ach citi zen o f Sp arta gave from his own stores a regular quantity o f supplies for the

- tables . He gave barley meal , wine , cheese , figs ,

E for dates , and meat . xtra meat the tables was s who ometimes provided by those went hunting , f or from the sacrifices of ered at the altars .

T oo hen , t , a generous citizen would now and 17 18 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

r then give white bread , instead of ba ley bread , or or f r bring birds whi ch he had caught , of e ings o f or fruit vegetables when in season .

’ The food for the boys tables was Simpler

’ al and less vari ed than that for the men s ,

or though plain , simple food was the rule f

all .

a Very little money w s used in Sparta . What

a o r they had w s f i on . I f a man had corn raised

upon his land , he exchanged a part of it for other

- o f art icles which he needed . The market place the was Of city , for this reason , a place trade ,

rather than o f buying and selling .

r After thei breakfast , on the morning of the A ssembly , Orestes sent the boys of his company

away to get food for their table .

O G where you like outside the city , he said ,

but do not return until you can bring some

for now thing the common table . Be soldiers ;

n for or . ot be men Stop hunger , pain , or toil ,

e e e not . but s cur food , and com back without it

20 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

r Chartas , as the company of boys b oke up into

r smalle groups .

” o ! T the mountain exclaimed Chartas .

A dish o f grapes would taste good at our

”

t . table , and they must be ripe by this ime

” B r Just the thing ! replied asidas . A mountain climb suits me , and the grapes will ,

” indeed , be good . The two boys started westward from the city

toward the mountain , with its rocky slopes , its

- forests , and its snow crowned peaks . The path

u . they took was r gged , and the climbing steep

no diflic l ie o f But they did t hesitate . The u t s

wa the y only made their task more exciting , and would win for them greater credit when

they returned .

r At fi st they ran along the path , then they

f th clambered up the side o e mountain . In

places the rocks were sharp and broken , and in

c f al others there were steep , slippery li fs , but , though their feet were bare , they climbed the FORAGING 21

one steep places , jump ed from broken rock to

or another, pulled themselves up the cliffs by

r their ba e hands .

Suddenly Cha rtas stopped and threw himself

upon a flat rock . Li fting his foot , he pulled

from it a large thorn . The blood followed as

so on he did , but , making no comment, he sped

B rasidas again a fter .

At last they came to a more open space o n

”

. Now B rasidas we the mountainside , said ,

” may begin to look for the Vines .

“ ” “ r we se Yes , said Cha tas , now must p

” arate and keep hidden .

A s he said thi s he turned to the right and

his wa w made y cautiously forward , hile Brasi das f o crept along a clif t his le ft . Suddenly Chartas dropp ed behind a huge

m n . a rock Above him a , dressed in a leather

as . chiton , w crossing the open space In his hands he carried large vessels for holding

water . 22 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

Tis one o f the Slaves who ca r es for a

’ ” h r master s Vineyard , sai d C a tas to himself .

h saw a He turned is head . Beyond him he

o f grove plane trees , and , listening intently , he

“ heard the splash of water . He is going to

“ the fountain in the grove , he said . The

r O f vines a e in need water . They must be

r nea .

He waited until the Slave disappea red In the

r r grove , then ca e fully he made hi s way upwa d .

r an d It had been a ha d climb up the mountain , his foot ached fr om the long tho rn which had

his one was been pulled away , but thought to

ri find the vines , secure the grapes , a d make his

escape unseen .

rt u He da ed forward , now stopping to cro ch

behind a rock , or to stand close against a tree ,

r while he pee r ed out o listened . Again he darted on ; he had seen the vines ; they were

heavy with purple grap es .

Casting himsel f among them , he began pull FORAGING 23

ing the clusters . An empty water j ar stood

e near , and hastily he toss d the ripe clusters into

was . it . It nearly full He stopp ed again to

listen .

In the distance he heard a Slight crackling .

as o f It w the sound footsteps in the grove . The

Slave was doubtless returning . C atching up the water j ar , he ran farther up

t to the moun ain , turned his right , and stopped

r again to listen . He could hea the Slave , now h is . below him , returning to vines M aking a

circuit , Chartas ran quickly but so ftly down

r r O was through the fa the side f the grove , and once more upon the rocky pass whi ch he and

B rasidas had climbed .

to He stopped for a moment adjust his j ar ,

as a o for it w l rge and awkward t carry . At

the same moment he heard a shout , then a

crashing above him . One thought passed S through his mind . The lave had discovered

he of the ar ‘ was i fo t los s j , and look ng r him. 24 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

Just an instant he listened again . The sound was coming nearer .

o f Like some wild animal the mountains ,

Chartas tu rned and jump ed . With his bare

t o a feet he leaped from j agged rock j gged rock ,

and holding tightly to his j ar , balancing him

how self , he knew not .

It was not the fear o f losing his longed-for

! grapes ; it w as not the fear of being beaten

r for o f that did not matte , the pain that would

was o f r pass . It the fear a flogging befo e his O mates , and before the men f the city not

ain o f o f the p the flogging , but the disgrace

e d hav ing fail .

Thi s was the fear that made him plunge ,

- r r bare footed , ove jutting ocks ; that made him

one swing over cli ffs with hand , while he

clutched his j ar with the other . At last he reached the top of the little path

which stretched away to the plain below , where

stood the houses o f Sparta . A T LA ST H E REA CH ED TH E TOP O F TH E LITTLE ’ PA TH ?

CHAPTE R IV

T H E P U B LI C TAB LE S

’ W H E N the boys o f Orestes company gath

r for r e ed thei evening meal , Gelon alone was

. E r r r mi ssing ach boy , as he etu ned , b ought

r v e e with him something for the tables , f uits , g

o il . tables , olive , meat , or meal

The grapes which Cha rtas and B rasidas

r r s o f b ought we e placed upon the table , that

for the old men being supplied first , age was

respected in Sp arta . No one commented upon

o f the scratched faces and hands the two boys , nor upon the marks of blood upon his feet and

o f r the slight limp Chartas , but the olde men l ooked at the boys with approval , although they we re care ful that they should receive no word

O f r spoken p ai se . Only Orestes , as he met

C hartas threw , , his arm across his shoulders in 26 THE PUBLIC TABLES 27

a r way that meant much to the younge boy .

But even he said nothing . The Spartans were

o . men o f deeds , not w rds The boys ’ tables were separate from those o f sat on the men , but the smallest boys stools

r beside their fathe s , and were handed their f portions o food .

After the meal the men began talking o f the A ssembly , which ha d been held that day , and

o f the boys listened . They spoke the ambas

sador ; of the singer . They gave their opin

o f ions freely , and they asked many questions

O . each other , and f the boys

Then one o f the men touched the strings o f

r o his citha a , and began t sing . Others took up

’ o f the song , and soon a great chorus men s

voices arose and filled the large room .

as Chartas felt a thrill , he always did at the

o f sound musi c . He remembered when he had seen a company o f Sp artan soldiers march away

o he e t b attle singing the same song , and kn w 28 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN that the greatest singe r s of Spa rta had been

her bravest men .

The men stopp ed singing . Suddenly one o f

r them , named Agis , tu ned and , nodding toward

“ B rasidas t he , asked , Who established Olym pian games ?

r B rasidas Herakles , eplied promptly .

” r ? What is the sacred t uce Agis continued ,

h n nodding at T e og is . The p eace which is preserved between all the states of Greece during the games at Olym

” h o i T e n s . pia , g answered “ Why does Sparta need no walls ? ” came

was a third question , and this time it directed to Theron ; but Theron was not paying atten tion , and did not even know that he had been

o sp oken to . He was s intent upon teasing a smaller boy when he should have been lis tening and learning that he now had his back

toward the speaker .

“ son o f C inadon Theron , , said Agis , and THE PUBLIC TABLES 29

his at the tone o f voice Theron started , and

“ ou a e turned , y have Shown disrespect to g ,

! ou and a contempt for knowledge . may go

” ou t and sp end the night among the mountains .

r a The on rose and inst ntly left the room . I f

any among the boys o r men thought the punish

r o r ment seve e , they did not Show it by word

r look , and theyp obably did not consider it too

r severe . But Chartas , remembe ing his flight

won down the mountainside during the day ,

dered howhe would have fared had it been

“

r . is o t da k It good t give a tention , he

as thought , the door closed upon Theron . “ Why does Sparta need no walls ? ” The

was question repeated , and this time Agis

nodded to Chartas .

o f The men Sparta are her walls , replied

m en Chartas , and the grave about the tables

smiled approvingly at the earnestness o f the b o y .

e Another song was sung , joking remarks w re 30 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

o f exchanged between the men , some the boys were quizzed until they scarcely knew how to

one one e answer ; and then , by , the men aros

and bade ea ch other good night . There were no lights in the streets , and the streets them

r r selves we e ir egular and unp aved . The build ings O f the city were set here a nd there

without plan , and the streets wound here and

there between them . None of the younger

b u the who men carried lights , t men were over

Sixty were ca r e fully lighted t o their homes . Even the smaller boys of Sparta were accus tom e o d t going about without lights . But none

o f the boys went home at n i ght . From the time

old they were seven years , they slept , as well

as ate , in the publi c buildings which were fur nished for o f that purpose , and each company

boys had its own quarters .

Theo nis Gelon has not yet returned , said g , as the boys of Orestes ’ company gathered in

their quarters . THE PUBLIC TABLES 3 1

And now Theron is gone , too , added

B rasida r h s with a sh ug of is shoulders .

’ 3 o f To sleep , boys , was the only response

r their iren , and at once the boys d opped upon

r r thei beds o f eeds .

’ I wonde r i f O restes will suffer for Theron s

” r conduct , wondered Cha tas , as he tossed about , fo r he well knew that the ir ens were held re sponsible for the condu ct of the boys o f thei r

company .

’ r Cha tas muscles were lame and sore , and the

o f bed rushe s was far from so ft , but it was the

o f only sort bed he knew , and he was trained

a to hardy endurance . It w s not long be fore

he was sound asleep . In the meantime Theron had been following C the path to the mountain , over whi ch hartas and B ra das si had traveled during the day . He might easily have hidden in the dark and irreg ular streets o f the city until morning — but he

o o to had been told t g the mountains . He 32 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

o f b e might , through his love mischief , inat t entiv e s B e , but he would corn to disobey .

sides , there were real dangers in the mountains at night , and to stay in the city would be cow ardl y, as well as disobedient and what Spar tan boy could bear the brand o f cowardice ?

SO Theron climbed the path till he came to

“ r f r on on o f the steepe clif s . I will est e these

” r r r cliffs , he said . It is sa fe he e than highe

” e U up among the tre s . nconsciously he had

spoken his thoughts aloud , and as he stopped ,

he heard an answering sound . He was alert at

one o f o f once . It might be the beasts the mountain , for he well knew that it was the

o f e haunt wild animals , and that they roam d

about at night .

He held his breath and listened .

At a little distance he again heard the sound ,

and then the words , softly spoken , Can it be

” r ? you , The on

“ ” o f Yes , said Theron with a ring gladness

34 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

a w s on a steep hillside . The man was upon

too me soon for me to get it again , and I would

r - not go back to bar acks empty handed .

SO you have stayed here in the mountain !

“ a excl imed Theron . I am glad that I came

wa . as we this y As soon it is light , will forage

r we for again , and pe haps can both find food

the tables .

ou . That is good o f y , said Gelon He had

r been without food Since mo ning , but he added ,

” I Shall not go back till I succeed . CHAPTE R V

’ C H ARTA S H OME

T H E boys were awakened the next morning

by the voi ce o f Orestes .

U . out p , boys , he called Throw the r our ou are to eeds . After morning meal y

” r for gather fre sh mate ial beds .

It did not take the boys long to carry out

’ for was Orestes command , there no time spent in dressing and undressing among the boys o f

Sparta . They hastily gathered up the reeds S upon which they had lept , and soon were back

with hearty appetites .

no There were dainties set be fore them , but

o f they had plenty coarse , plain food , and a fter they had finished the meal they raced down to

the river bank . They then followed the stream until it broadened out over a marsh . Here the 35 36 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

r r reeds g ew thickly , and the boys we e soon wading in the wate r and pulling great armfuls

for r r of them , these we e the only beds they we e

allowed . In the winter they gathered down

r f om thistles , and with thi s down made their

r as beds Softer and warme . But this w the only

ff r r r di e ence , although the winte s we e cold . I f

a boy pulled too much down for his bed , he was

r idiculed by the others .

“ r I wonder how it fa es with Theron , said

o f Chartas , as he bent to pull another bunch

reeds .

“ B ra sidas . And with Gelon , added

Although the boys o f Sparta were taught to

o f be hardy , and to despise a lack courage in

o f who any their number, yet the fifteen boys made up each company were bound together

very closely by their constant association .

’ Nearly all the boys o f Orestes company had

we homes and parents in the city , but as have

b o o f learned , a fter a y reached the age seven , CHARTAS ’ HOME 37

son o f he became a the State , and his education

o f and tr aining were in charge the State . He

o f no longer lived at the home his parents .

r I wonder what adventu es they are having ,

r r fo r Chartas said a moment later , as he etu ned

r fin another armful of eeds . He had scarcely ished r speaking when he hea d a shout , and ,

r looking up , he discove ed Gelon and Theron r ‘ unning down the river bank .

“ ” are B rasidas Here they , exclaimed , and ! ! tog ether And look , look They are carrying a young pig between them !

“ ”

e t . It is squealing y , laughed Chartas

H ow did they ever manage to get away with

“

? one . that Well , he added , thing is certain The pig will save them from a flogging ! ”

r Later that day , when the boys had had thei daily swim in the r iver and had practised at

who SO the gymnasium , those wished to do

r were allowed to visit thei homes .

Theo nis r o ff Chartas and g sta ted together , 38 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

for thei r homes were in the same part O f th e

ci ty .

for Twill soon be time the festival , said

Th n e og is .

“ ” ! e s r r , eplied Cha tas , and I suppose my

r r siste is p a ctising for the dances .

“ An d r Theo nis mine , too , esponded g , as he r n o f or r r a n . , Cha tas had eached his home

r r The house of Danaus , the fathe of Cha tas ,

r a r was a la ge but pl in building , with an oute cou r t which w as sepa rated from the street by

a wall . Inside this court stood a rude im age

w as the of the god Apollo , who believed by

Sp a rt ans to p r otect and bless all who ente red

the house .

A s r Chartas passed the image , he laid befo e i t a cluster of flowe r s which he had picked for

O ff r A S SO r r an e ing he did he mu mu ed ,

“ Grant to me , oh , Apollo , that which is hon o r ab l e e and good . He t hen pushed open th

door o f the house and ente r ed . CHARTAS ’ HOME 39

T o f o f he door of this , as all the houses

S t was par a , roughly made . It had been sawed

from boards , without other finish . The ceilings

r we e hewed with an axe . Only the temples and publi c buildings of Sparta could be beauti fully

r who finished and o namented . Lycurgus , had

given the city its laws , wanted the p eople to

love simplicity .

A S r Cha tas entered the house , he heard the

O saw sound f merry shouts and laughter , and

r his father prancing about ast ide a stick , while

r his younger b other and si ster ran a fter , clap ping their hands and trying to imitate hi s

steps .

too Chartas laughed , , and he wondered

ofher of whether the men Sparta , who seemed

as his father did — so quiet and grave in

the Assembly and at the public tables , ever

r played with their child en like this .

“ ” son ! Ah , Chartas , my

C as for hartas turned he heard the words , he 40 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

’ was e knew that it his mother s voic , and then h s e threw her arms about him .

to The children stopped their play greet him ,

all and soon he was recounting , to them , the

o f his adventures company . They laughed heartily when he told them how B rasidas had

chased him down the mountain .

“ But you held to your j ar of grapes ! his

mother , Helen , exclaimed .

“ ” Yes , Mother , answered Chartas .

” o f That was best all , said his mother , and

o f the eyes Danaus shone , too , with approval , for they saw that Chartas had shown the hardi

‘ hood and endurance which were the traits most

admired in a Spartan b oy .

Then he told them about Theron and Gelon , and o f how they had returned a fter their night

in the mountain , carrying the squealing pig .

i oo wa h Th s story , t , s received with hearty laug

ter .

o As Chartas finished hi s story , the d or again

CHARTAS ’ HOME 41

r r opened , and a beauti ful young gi l ente ed . It

O s o f . was M elissa , the lder si ter Chartas

“ “ r ! Ah , Cha tas She exclaimed , I am glad

ee to s you at home . We so seldom see you

” now .

o to . It seems g od be at home , said Chartas

” And Whe r e have you been ?

I have just come from the gymnasium ,

“ r answered Melissa . We have been p actising

oh ! the dances for the festival , and , , Chartas

“ she added , I am learning to play well . upon

” r the ly e .

“ r ou C e a Let me hea y play , said hartas

erl g y . Melissa brought her lyre and played as she

sang , and p resently they all j oined their voices with hers , even the children Singing with the

rest .

“ r I am sor y, said Chartas , when the song

o for was ended , but I must g back , it will not do to be late . Orestes i s such a splendid 42 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

fo r captain , I would not want him blamed any

” of fault mine .

“

o . I will g with you , said Danaus , rising

ou r It will soon be time for evening meal .

“ we Perhaps , he added with a smile , may have a bit of po rk for our supper !

A s s they were walking along the treet , Char tas pointed to an image that stood near a tem “ ? ” ple . Why i s that image placed there he

asked .

“ ou wh I cannot tell y y, Danaus replied ,

but I suppose you know that it represents the

o f r ar e God Laughte . We Spartans considered

r wa a grave and seve e p eople , and so , in a y ,

we . s o we are But , far as I know , are the only people who have ever erected a statue t o the

” o o f G d Laughter . CHAPTE R VI

S PARTA ’ S LAW S

A FTE R Danaus and Cha rtas had le ft the

o f house , Helen , the Wi fe Danaus , Melissa , and

the younger children , ate their evening meal

togethe r . They were waited upon by the house

hold Slaves .

“ When I am seven , I will go with Father

” to and Chartas the publi c tables , said the

younger brother proudly .

“ r Yes , replied his mothe , in two years

r on mo e you will become a s o f the State . Then you will have no mother and no slaves to wait

ar r upon you . But you will le n how to endu e

ou u r hard things , and y will become a tr e Spa tan

” r O f whom Mothe will be proud . She laid her hand upon his head as she spoke ; 44 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

now I am a Spartan , said the boy , drawing

himself up very straight .

“ ” ! es , replied his mother, smiling , but no one t a very big .

” r Melissa , said the little fellow a fter thei

“ a meal w s finished , I wish you would tell me

” a story .

What sort o f a story do you want to hear ?

asked Melissa with a smile .

“ Oh about the Law-Giver of Sparta !

exclaimed the boy with Shining eyes .

“ ‘ What do you know about the Law-Giver

’ o f ? Sparta laughed Melissa .

Oh , I know ; I heard Father telling about

” one him day , said the boy , with a wise Shake

” “ his of head . Some day , he added , I shall

to learn the laws , as Chartas does , and I want

o f L L as hear the story y y what w his name , Melissa ? ”

“ as S Lycurgus , said Melissa , he put her

a rm about the sturdy littl e fellow . Lycurgus SPARTA’ S LAWS 45

was a very wise man , She went on , and he

lived a great many years ago . He loved Sparta ,

and he wanted her people to be wise and happy .

So he thought a great deal , and he studied a

r and o f g eat deal , at last he made a set laws which he believed would make the Spartans a

strong , hardy , happy people . “ He wanted to be very sure that his laws

so e were good , he went to Delphi , and ask d the

r o acle at Delphi about them . “ The oracle told him that hi s laws were the

best in all the world .

e So Lycurgus taught his laws to the peopl ,

and the Spart ans kept the laws .

But Lycu rgus was a fraid that a fter he died

or to the people might forget his laws , try have

SO them changed , , a fter a long time , when he

r to O g ew be an ld man , he told the Sp artans

was to that he going again Delphi , and he had the people promise th at they would keep his

u h laws ntil e cam e back . 46 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

The people made a solemn promise th at

” they would do this .

“ ’ ” o ? r And he didn t c me back , did he inte r r up ted the boy eagerly . I remember ; Fathe

said so .

“ No , answered Melissa , he never came back ; and so , a fter all these years , his laws o are still kept for the people pr mised , you

” know .

“ Yes , I know , nodded the boy earnestly .

h wa T ou . s hank y , Melissa T at a good

” sto ry .

o f o f The laws Lycurgus , whi ch Melissa had

f o f told , were dif erent from those any other

country . They provided that each Spartan

o f should be given a certain amount land , and

r slaves to take care of it . The Spa tans were

ff as to spend their time in public a airs , such the

r o f milita y and religious festivals , the education

r . the child en , and the enforcement of the laws

They did not carry on trade with other

48 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

N O r heo ni T s . , eplied g What was his

” O fl ence ?

“ He was accused of b r inging a quantity of

” silver money into Sparta .

“ ? ” And was he found guilty asked The

o gnis .

! es r . , eplied Chartas , with a laugh He was found guilty and o r dered to go without his

for s h . dessert at table ten day , as punis ment

Theo nis g , too , laughed , although a fine of this sort was not unusual in Sp arta .

“ ” r B r asidas who Hur y, you are late , called ,

r was standing at the door of thei quarters , and Chart as and Theognis hastened their

step s .

They w ere just in time to take thei r places for

t the d rill up on the laws , which every Spar an boy

r was exp ected to lea n .

Soon , in unison with the others , they began to

chant half singing , hal f reciting and beat ing time to the rhythm with their bare feet ! SPARTA ’S LAWS 49

W en e av e u e a t em e t o Zeu h y h b ild d p l s ,

To S llarian Zeu and S llarian ena y s y Ath ,

v e t he f k nt o r e and c an Di id d ol i t ib s l s ,

A nd e t a e a Senat e O f t r er o n s blish d hi ty p s s ,

Inc u n t he two ! n l di g i gs , ! e Sh all s u mm on t he fo l k t o a st ate d Ass embly ” And t he s e sh all h av e t he d e cidi ng v o ice .

And thus the laws o f Lycurgus were taught

one from generation to another . CHAPTE R VII

T H E F E STI VAL

TH E of the day the festival had arrived , and boys o f the city were released from their usual

drills and exercises .

The r e we r e no school buildings in Sp art a .

The boys we r e taught in the gymnasium or the

barracks . They learned a little reading , a little

writing , and a very little arithmetic . But

“ greater attention was given to teaching them the laws ; in training them to speak well in publi c ; to recite the great poems o f Homer ;

to and sing the national songs , and a ccompany

too them with the cithara . Then , , they were

to to taught exercise , swim , run , wrestle , ride ,

- . I play foot ball , and throw the discus n spite o f o f the hardihood the Spartans , the rougher

sports o f that time we r e forbidden . 50 THE FESTIVAL 51

The girls o f Sparta we r e given much the

same training as the boys , although they were

r e t ained separately , and their leaders w re young U . o f women nlike the girls Athens , they were

to r s allowed go f eely upon the treets , and to

j oin in the choruses and festivals . Only the married women o f Sparta wore veils upon their

r faces when outside thei homes . The Sp art an

r gi ls played upon the lyre instead o f the cithara .

The most beauti ful women O f all G reece we r e

o f those Sparta , for their outdoor li fe and ath letic exercises gave them clear skins , bright eyes ,

and . graceful , healthful bodies

o f The day the festival had arrived , and the boys and girls o f the city were rel eased from t heir usual drills and exercises .

The festival began with a procession , and the

’ o f boys Orestes company took their pla ces .

r o ff Fi st came the kings , who were t o er sacri

fi ces to the gods ; next the magistrates ; and a o f fter these , the men the city , the companies 52 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

of maidens , and the companies of boys . Some o f o f the men rode horses , and some the maid

in r or a ens were cha iots , in beauti fully orn m ented r ca s . They drove their horses quite

r as fea lessly as the men .

As the procession moved through the streets ,

e o r ae in thank s iv the peopl sang a song , p an , g

o ing for the bounti ful harvests f the year .

s tim e with They tepped lightly , in the music , for their hearts we re a s joyous as those o f - chil

r d en .

e They reached the temple , and her the priests ff o ered a sacrifice , and p oured wine upon the

altar .

A s r the people fo med in groups , here and

r r there , O estes and Chartas stood together, nea

o f the other boys thei r company .

“ Did you notice how well Theognis sang

ag ? the p an asked Chartas .

“ ” r Yes , replied O estes . There i s some

n Theo nis o thi g unusual about g . He loves p THE FESTIVAL 53

et r y, and music , and the graceful exercises of the gymnasium . It is my belief that he will

e some day be a poet, hims lf.

“ ” Theo nis ! g a poet exclaimed Chartas , in su rprise . And then he added ! There is something different about him — pe rhaps that i s it !

“ s ee ! But said Orestes .

o f A chorus singers had j oined hands , and were now dancing slowly about the blazing

o f o f altar , and , as they sang , several the men

Spart a acted in pantomime the words o f the

song .

Then a group of maidens came fo rwa r d and danced with measured steps and grace ful ges

w e one o f tures , hil their number played upon

the lyre .

“ to r See , said Chartas Orestes , my Siste ,

” Melissa , is among the dancers .

” r Yes , answered O estes . she dances well . And Chartas noted with pleasure that Orestes ’ 54 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN eyes followed her graceful figu r e throughout

the dance .

Now for the war dance ! exclaimed Char

”

is . tas . I think that best of all

A group o f men took their places befo re the

assembly . A flute player stood among them .

r was for The e silence a moment , then he put

o his flute t his lips . ! uickly and lightly the

men began to dance , and , in perfect time to the

music , they imitated the actions o f a soldier in

battle . They assumed an attitude of de fence ,

r crouching , and presenting thei shields ; they

avoided the thrust o f an enemy ; they sprang

up ; retreated ; then sprang forward to thrust

with their short swords ; backward t o throw a

how lance ; and upright to draw a .

The people watched with breathless interest ,

for war was this , the Pyrrhic dance , best liked

o f all their dances .

’ Isn t it wonderful how well they can do it ! i excla med Chartas .

56 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

The next gr oup responded

’ we re SO now om e o n d and r . A n , c t y

Then the boys sang

’ w r B u t e ll b e st onge st by and by .

A S the boys sang , Chartas again noticed how

o f Theo nis the voice g led all the others .

was a After the procession and dances , there

great feast . Chartas had told the boys o f his company that they were to be taught the Pyr rhic war was o f dance , and it the chi ef topi c

conversation while they feasted .

! B ra idas Good s exclaimed . That i s the

” fo dance r Spartans .

And Theognis echoed hi s exclamation .

Nothing else has such perfect rhythm o f

” motion , he added .

Later in the day there were gymnastic exer cises , and the great festival day closed with

e e men e chariot races b tw en , and others betw en

girls . THE FESTIVAL 57

See how well Gorgo handles her horses ,

l B rasidas as one o f exc aimed , the chariots swept

past him .

” who was Yes , replied Theron , beside him , h ” s e handles them quite a s well as any man .

“ That is what Spartan training does for our girls ! proudly exclaimed an Older man who

“ no r had overheard them . In other count y

” are the girls so grace ful and so strong . CHAPTE R VIII

W OR! A N D P LA!

TH E festival was the one topi c of conver sation among the boys o f Sparta during the

days that followed . Naturally , they were most

rr interested in the Py hic war dance , and the

’ chariot races . The boys O f Orestes company were eagerly discussing the news that Chartas

had brought them .

Did you say that we were to be taught the ? ” Pyrrhic dance asked Gelon , with shining

e . yes , a s he pushed forward among the boys

“ so Yes , answered Chartas , Orestes told

” me at the festival .

to I wonder when we are begin , said The

ni o s . g , eagerly

“ Soon , I think , Chartas replied .

- e I wish it were to day ! exclaimed Th ron .

” to- Well , it will not be day , said the hearty 58 WOR! AND PLAY 59

r voice of O estes , who had come upon the group

“ u O o ff nnoti ced , S be to your tasks . Chartas ,

B rasidas Theo nis r , g , and Gelon are to b ing

”

. r ou wood for the fires The est of y , he added ,

“ o f h e with a wave his hand , are to gat er v ge

” r for tables and g eens the tables .

The boys scattered at once ! the four older

to boys the woods ; While the younger boys , led by Theron , slipp ed away to the country outside

Sparta . Stealthily, and unseen , they crept here

and there into gardens and fields , and gathered such supplies o f vegetables as they could carry

away unseen .

” ! b o o f My sputtered Ceos , a y lively

“ on tongue , as he overtook Theron later . I

thought I was going to lose my skin that time .

old I came near getting caught , for the Slave

ho f w was a fter me was very light o foot . Why

” SO he do they care much , added , when they know that the State makes us steal for the

” table s ? 60 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

r ff Because they have wo ked to raise the stu ,

” I suppose , said Theron laughingly .

” “ ! es is the , answered Ceos , but it State

on that provides them the land to ra ise It . They

” do not own the land .

“ so su That i s , replied Theron , and I p pose that i s what gives the State the right to send us out foraging upon their lands . All

” property really belongs to the State .

“ ” “ is wa ! es , replied Ceos , that the y my

t oo m . father explained it to e He says , , that

or m a e to soldiers , when marching in ca p , h v

or . secure their food by foraging , starve It is

” the duty o f the State to train us for soldiers .

“ ” The girls are never sent to forage , said

Theron .

“ ” They could do it ! responded Ceos .

’ a we ! s as s _ e , they are qui ck are , assented

do . Theron , but they not go to war

Suddenly the two boys stopped . Placing

for th e e upon the ground their gi fts e tabl s , th y MA N W ITH WH T I E HAIR A ND L O A NG WHITE B E RD PA S S E TH ” D EM .

62 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

” Who will take the parts ? asked B r as

” ho ? idas . W will be thief

None o f the boys responded .

” B ra i as s d . Well , I will be then , said

” Now o f ? , who will be the owner the fruit

” I will take that , said Ceos laughingly . I sa wa w, this morning , a fine example of the y that should be played .

” ? r Did you get caught c ied Gelon .

” “ No , answered Ceos , but I can imagine

r the flogging . I have seen it acted at othe

” r times , he added with a g im smile , at which

all the boys laughed .

After a few other details had been arranged ,

the play began .

Ce os pretended to be busily at work among

- B rasidas r his fruit trees . came running f om a

distance ; then he stopped , and began slowly

and cautiously to creep up to the trees . Finally

u he pretended to begin picking the fr it . At

h a first he watched t e owner of the trees , s he WOR! AND PLAY 63

to worked ; then , becoming eager gather the

r . f uit , he became less watchful

o f During the progress the play , the other

on ac boys looked , occasionally imitating the

o f tions the two boys taking part , by a light

wa rhythmi c motion that s almost a dance .

Suddenly Ceos seemed to catch sight o f the thie f . ! uickly but quietly he ran toward B ras idas , and had almost reached him when Bras

idas looked up .

B rasidas Grasping , apparently , hi s fruit ,

darted away , Ceos but a few feet behind .

’ ” B rasidas longer legs will save him !

shouted Chartas .

“ ” He will win the race ! exclaimed The o n s g i .

s Ceos is maller, said Theron , but he is

. o n ! quick See , he i s holding his w “ ! ” Good shouted the boys , clapping their

” hands . Ceos i s plucky .

’ But Ceos legs were shorter , and the distance 64 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

o to sud between the tw began increase , when denl B rasidas In y , glancing back at his pursuer ,

struck his foot upon a proj ecting rock . His

arms , in which he had pretended to be holding

r his f uit , flew wide , and he fell headlong upon

the ground .

was In an instant Ceos upon him , and with his hard little Spartan fists he began beating

B rasidas r with a ight good will . Then , jump

to to ing his feet , he pretended pick up the s u cattered fr it . T The boys shouted and cheered . he play was over .

“

was . That well done , said Gelon

” ! ou r C are a good unner, eos , said Brasi das as wa to heartily, they made their y back

’ the ou for the city . Why don t y train foot

” race at the games ? “ I a ou am frai d y would compete , replied

“ C an no e on s eos , d there are ston s the cour e

” at Olympia . CH‘APTE R I!

N EW A DVE N T U RES

E VER! i household in Sp arta had ts slaves .

o r These slaves , Helots , had been conquered in

for battle , and all the succeeding years they w r ere slaves to the Spa tans . They could not

o f be sold , as the slaves Athens could , neither

for could they be freed , , in a way , they were

o f considered the propert y the State .

A s we no have learned , Spartan citizen took

nor part in any manual labor , even engaged in i . t as bus ness Hi s ime w spent in the gymnasium , practising military and athl etic exercises ; in hunting ; in the management o f publi c affairs ;

and in rel igious ceremonies and festivals . He regarded freedom fr om labor as freedom from

— t ! e the pain as complete liber y . t Spartans 65 66 ‘ OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

were by no means indolent , and a lazy man was

e . sever ly punished , and held in contempt

’ a Sparta s laws were not written laws . It w s

“ said that they were written in the hearts o f

” e her citi zens , and they were administ red by the

a t senators . The laws provided that cer ain number o f Slaves were to be allowed to each

u Spartan , and so the slaves c ltivated the farm

on lands belonging to the citizens , and carried the household duties in the homes o f the city .

Now o f , even the Slaves Sparta had caught ,

t he . from the festival , desire to play

“ ” Come , Chartas , said Gelon quietly , as he

“ met him in the street , late in the day . There

us . is fun in store for . Come

“ ” What i s going on ? asked Chartas , fol

lowing .

“ The slaves of some o f the neighboring

households are about to give a play . I have

found a place where we can watch without their

r ! seeing us . Hur y NEW ADVENTURES 67

r Wait, said Chartas . There go B asi

” das and Ceos . I will call them .

“ ” But be quick , said Gelon anxiously .

A moment later , the four boys , hidden from

o f the sight the slaves , were eagerly watching

the strange sight .

The play o f the slaves could hardly be called

was a play ; it , rather, a Wild and extravagant

or dance , without rhythm beauty ; and yet , in

r a ude way , they imitated various actions and

o f o f occupations men . Some the imitations

were funny , while others were simply awkward

and common .

’ B r i ! r as das . See said Cha tas , touching arm

Watch the slave yonder . He has been drink

“ oo ing t much . He can scarcely keep upon hi s

to . feet . Yet he is still trying dance

“ ” See him stagger ! said B rasidas . He

” will fall yet .

The interest O f all four o f the boys was now

centered upon the drunken Helot . 68 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

A s they looked , the man almost lost his bal

o f ance , and tumbled against another the com

pany . This man turned quickly and struck him .

“ ” his e B rasidas how See fac , said , stupid

” he looks .

ho w C e . And foolish he acts , added os

! r Bah exclaimed Chartas , it i s no wonde the men o f Sparta think it a disgrace to become

” drunk . “ ! Look again said Gelon . He has

” fallen .

as ' It w true . The man lay stupidly upon the

ff to ground , making no e ort rise again . The

of on for o f rest the company danced , most them

' had been drinking , and their steps , too , were f beginning to be unsteady , and their aces bloated and stupid , while some were growing

quarrelsome .

“ ” ! as What a sight exclaimed Chartas , he

turned away . It seems strange that wine can turn men into such beasts as that !

70 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

! Listen said Orestes .

for a The boys stood still moment .

” i r ff r s . It a citha a , said Orestes , but di e ent

ff is I cannot make out what the di erence .

“

u s see who . Let is playing , suggested Ceos

et r . So , tog her they hur ied down the street

It was not long before they came in Sight of

o f a great crowd boys , and in their midst was

m r the musician . A ong the crowd we e the other boys o f thei r company in fa ct it soon seemed as though all the boys and youths o f Sparta had

been drawn to the spot by the music .

T on r he player kept , g atified by the atten

tion which he was receiving . His music , as

ff r Orestes had said , was di e ent from that usually

I r heard in Sparta . ts ha monies were fuller ,

was ca stronger , and yet there a soft , tender

in c dence whi ch was strangely _ ontrast to the

mu sic O f Spa rta .

“ ” I have it ! exclaimed Orestes at length ,

“ ! e turning to Chartas . See We have s ven NEW ADVENTURES 71

r n ! is st ings o our citharas his has nine . That

” what gives the fuller harmonies .

’ ” tis t n C Yes , but still different , re ur ed har

“ ’ tas o f ae . It is not the musi c the p ans ; tis

softer , more quiet .

! o u es. are right , said Orest I should s ay it was more the music o f Athens than o f

” a Sp rta .

He had scarcely finished speaking when a

to strong voi ce commanded the musician stop , and strong hands sent the c rowd of boys scat

tering in all directions .

“ ” Stop ! said the voice and Orestes saw that it was one o f the ephors o f the city speak

“ its ing . Cut from your instrument added strings ! ! ou are not to poison the ears o f our

- youth by the music O f a luxury loving people .

The Spa rtans are not o f such ! Our music is

SO ! free , bold , inspiring . We will keep it

r Abashed , the musi cian placed his inst ument

h of the who c in t e outstretch ed hand ephor, ut 72 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

r who f om it the added strings , while the boys had listened sped away to their quarters , and dropped still half-frightened at the anger in

’ i the ephor s voice upon the r hard little beds . CHAPTE R !

A VA CA N C! F I LLED

T H E next few days were days o f intense ex c m fo r ite ent the boys . They were preparing fo r the war game in which two companies O f

r Spartan boys took p art each yea . It had been announced that the companies o f Orestes and

no Procles had been chosen for the conflict . In

’ other state than Sparta would this have been

called a game . E arly upon the day appointed , a sacrifice was

one o f two made upon the altars , and then the

o f o f companies boys , to the music the cithara

to and the fi fe , marched away from the city an

island which had been made ready for them .

This island was formed by ditches filled with

as o water , and it w reached by tw bridges upon 73 74 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

h r opposite sides . One was called t e b idge o f

r He akles , and was guarded by an image o f thi s

- a r hero god . The other w s the b idge of Lycur

’ of r r a - gus , with its image Spa ta s g e t law give r .

’ O r estes company crossed th e b r idge o f H er

’ akles ; Procl es company the bri dge o f Lycur

us r u iv g , and , facing each othe , they stood , q ering wi th excitement ; eage r to Show thei r

r courage and endu ance . The citizens and boys of Sparta had followed

r the two companies , and now su rounded the

o f i sland , intent upon the outcome the confli ct .

e The struggle b gan by wrestling , but as one

or r opponent another was th own , a fury seemed

a r to seize the boys . It w s no longe r a w estling

contest ; it became a hand-to -hand struggle ; a

o f war strength and physical endurance .

o f - We , to day , can scarcely understand how such a contest among boys could have received

the approval o f sober-minded men ; but the

Spa rt ans despised pain and hono r ed physi cal A VACANCY FILLED 75

so hardihood . That they should have given great a degree of honor to mere physical cour

is has age , the chief reproach that been brought

against the Spartans . The moral , as well as physical , courage whi ch made them die in battle

rather than let a fo r eign army take possession

o f was their lands and their homes , altogether ff di erent from this .

his s When Orestes , with victoriou company o f to boys , marched back the city , they bore

grim evidence ko f their sturdy fighting in the war game which Spartan custom endorsed ;

was not but Ceos , with his ready fun , with them , nor would he be again .

The older men , however, as they marched

“ to s sur back the city , aid tersely , The best

Vive .

The days that followed were filled as usual ,

for the boys , with exercises in the gymnasium ;

o with tasks which took them t the mountains , t o the and out river , into the farming country ; 76 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN and with lessons in music and the study o f

Homer .

The poems o f Ho m er — the Iliad and the

— o f Odyssey stirred the enthusiasm the boys , not only because they told o f wars - and strange

o f adventures , but because Helen , whom the

I was liad told , stolen away from Sparta , and

ho one o f from her husband , Menelaus , w was

’ Sparta s early kings .

The lessons in Singing were o f great impor

. T no tance he boys were t taught to sing alone , so much as in chorus . They were trained by one o f the older men o f the city under the super

o f or e . intendenc an ephor , magistrate

E e us o f v ry festival had its chor singers , and

e e At ther wer many festivals . the games and

processions there were choruses , and in every battle the Spartan warriors advanced singing .

SO the o f boys , and also the girls , Sparta ,

e to was accom wer taught sing , and the singing

anied he or . p by t cithara , the lyre , the flute

78 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

I wonder i f the master i s thinking of the musician we heard a few days ago , said The r r he on to B r asidas . I wonde i f thought him self a second Terp ander !

The master raised his hand ; the room grew

silent Then there burst fo r th the stirr ing

o f war strains a Spartan song , and the boys sang with a will

Now fi t we for ou r c ren fo r t an gh hild , his l d ;

Ou r v e u n ee n let u s rav e die . li s h di g, b ly

C ou ra e e ou t ! t o e er fi rm t an g , y y hs g th ly s d ; ” k no o ear nor ev e r t u rn t o fl . Thin t f f , y

o f At the close the lesson , Orestes addressed

the boys o f his company

“ o Our company n w numbers but fourteen ,

Penthilu s son n he said , gravely . , of A drocles ,

has been mentioned t o fill our ranks . What

? have you to say

Theo nis A S Orestes asked the question , g

“ Penthilus stepped forth . I have seen Show

I S not i e e disrespect for age . hould l k to hav A VACAN CY FILLED 79

our r him one of numbe , he said , and stepped

back to his place .

“ ou w s r one As y kno , aid O estes , no is

admitted into a company who is not app roved

r ! by all . I have anothe name Dorus , son of

Cl om n e e es .

Ti ’ Chartas turned to B rasidas . s the king s

” youngest son .

B rasidas . I know him , said He is small

o f . stature , but strong and active

“ He already rides the swi ftest ho r se in the

’ r king s stables , commented The on .

o f I have heard him as a fearless hunter ,

added Gelon .

or Will he give and take with the rest , will

’ ” he be the king s son ? asked another O f the

boys . B rasidas . He will give and take , cried

” no o Have fear as t that . Are any dissatisfied with the choi ce o f

” u o Cl om ne ? s n o f e e s . Dor s , asked Orestes 80 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

There was Silence .

” ’ o f He i s one us , said Orestes , and Ceos

as place w filled .

o f his That night , while the boys company

slept , Orestes paced back and forth outside the

rr war ba acks , his mind upon the game in which

set his company had taken part . His face was ;

r his hands we e clenched .

“ ’ ” Ti s a custom unwo rthy o f Sparta ! he

’ o f for exclaimed bitterly . Tis a waste li fe , whi ch there is no reasonable excuse ! But Sparta

not requires it , and even to Chartas may I show my grief !

82 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

fo r e I Shall vote Laertes , said Orest s de c l isiv e y .

“ ” And what is your reason ? asked Chartas .

The records o f the two men are equally

” “ honorable , responded Orestes , but since the

o f laws Sp arta are unwritten , and must be

to delivered by the senators , it seems me that

o f who the man good judgment , is thoughtful ,

o f and an open mind , is the man to choose . I

believe Laertes to be such a man . He is not easily swayed by passion ; he has wonderful

” - self control . Orestes ’ words showed that he had weighed

was the matter care fully and well , and Chartas

impressed by the fact .

Chartas , he added earnestly , throwing his arm across the boy’ s shoulder with the familiar gesture which always awakened a deeper love

’ “ and loyalty upon Chartas p art , let us pledge ourselves to a worthy purp ose ! let us keep our lives so open and honorable that - ~ if it is not A PLEDGE AND A CHASE 83

the will of the gods that we die in battle we may be dese rving of a place among her most

” honored men .

Chartas was deeply touched . He knew that

o f among all the captains the city , none wa s

r ad more hono ed by the older men , nor more

mired by the boys o f the city , than Orestes . And he had been both proud and happy that

’ r he had been chosen as Orestes special f iend .

Now he realized , more fully than ever , what

this friendship meant to him .

” He is more than brave , he thought . He

as is honored even now , young he is , because

mor all he he is y brave . I f he lives , will some

” ’ day be a senator . He looked up into Orestes

o f fa ce , and , as he met the eyes his captain , his o n r r w shone with an answe ing pu pose . He

o f slipped his hand into that his friend , and ,

with a new resolve , walked with him back to

their barracks .

Later in the day , as the boys began climbing 84 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

one o f the mountain paths outside the city , they

a heard a great shout , s though a multitude of

men were calling out .

They stopp ed .

It is the Assembly voting , said Chartas .

I wonder who will be elected .

” H ow they shout ! exclaimed B rasidas .

I always want to shout , too , when I hear the

r out to men . But come , we we e sent hunt , and

” not - we must go back empty handed .

“ ” w e o r ? Shall scatter , hunt together asked

D O I one r e l ' there was us , but before any could p y

a quick exclamation from Theron .

The boys looked . At a little distance they

saw fox a young , about hal f grown , trotting

along through a bit o f forest .

the . Without a word , boys bounded forward

the fox At the same moment , discovered the

fox was one . boys . The chase an exciting The ,

to s as used the rocks and ledge , well as to the

es ran s r . for t , u ely and swi ftly But the hardy ,

86 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

T . he fox bit at his ba re arms , and his legs

r It scratched and tore his flesh , but slowly Cha

’ tas hands were working forward , while his tense muscles held the frantic animal with an

unyielding hold . At last his hands reached the

throat . With all the strength of his hardened

r muscles , Chartas tightened his g ip . The fox

one r was gave spasmodi c twist , and its st uggle

ended . Then the boys shouted ! Again and again the

“ forest rang with thei r cries of Chartas ! Char tas ! and o f Victor ! Victor ! When their first excitement had subsided

they p ressed about him , praising him , and ex

r claiming ove his deed .

” was Good ! cried Gelon . That far bet

our ter than the story we are told by masters , o f the brave b oy who let the fox destroy him .

I have always wondered why he did not choke the little beast when he had it SO well hidden !

’ Amid the laughter that followed Gelon s re A PLEDGE AND A CHASE 87

’

B rasidas . mark , took Chartas hand Come ,

“ he said , let me wash your wounds . A clean

” wound is soon healed , you know .

So , laughing , praising and Shouting , the boys

led Chartas to a clear stream that flowed down

the mountain , and there , in the cold water ,

washed the scratched and torn flesh o f the

sturdy young Spartan .

‘ It was time for the ev ening meal when Char

t as r , bearing his t ophy upon his back , led the

o f group boys into their quarters .

Some o f the older men half rose to their feet

saw o f when they him , and the face Danaus

’ for lighted with pleasure , Chartas burden was

all the explanation they neede d for his torn and

still bleeding flesh . Some of the men openly

S . praised him , and all howed thei r approval

He cast the body o f the fox upon the floor

the e of . and , looking up , met yes Orestes

T was no o here need f words .

? ” H ave your wounds b een cleansed asked 88 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

Orestes ; and there was a note of person al con

his cern in voi ce .

” B ra ida . s s Yes , replied Chartas washed m ” them in the strea .

“ ” That is good , said Orestes ; and then he

d ! ou a ded earnestly , have borne yourself well !

90 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

Thei r step was not the steady marching step o f - r . was the soldier of to day It , rathe , a

springing , dancing movement , light , and quick ,

r r O f and g a ceful . Indeed , the soldie s Sparta

r t we e often spoken of as dancers , even in a c ual war . There were many positions for the boys to

n r w as t t lear . The e the at i ude of defence , and

r the movement of attack . They must lea n to

crouch behind their shields ; to sp r ing up ; to

r r exer th ust as with a spea . It was splendid

for w cise the muscles , and these lithe , sine y boys tingled with the j oy and the exhilaration o f r r the play . But it exe cised mo e than the

r muscles . It made them alert , quick to hea ,

t o . quick think , quick to act

Chartas w as fo remost among the boys of his comp any in the grace of his movements , and the r eadiness with which he r esponded to the

commands o f the leader . But although this

t u was partly due to his own natural apti de , he THE DRILL 91

Owed much to the ca reful p r ivate d rill of Ores

t es .

“ ” ! ou ! ad dance well exclaimed Dorus ,

mir in l as g y, he and Chartas left the gymnasium

r togethe .

But Orestes deserves most o f the credit ,

Chartas answered frankly .

“ I kn ow that you are the favorite of O r es ~

tes r , said Do us , making the statement in the

’ matte r-O f- fact manner in which a captain s p r e f

w as erence always accepted , and , to my mind ,

r r you are the most favo ed boy in Sparta . The e is no other captain in the city to compare with

’ (Dre st es f

“ That is tru e , said Chartas , with Shining

fo r eyes , he loved to hear his captain praised .

ou And then he added , I am glad we have y

” our in company .

“ ” was ou ! I pleased , I can tell y exclaimed

“ ”

so was . Dorus , and my father , the king

“ We are to spend the rest o f the day out 92 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

side the city , said Chartas . Where shall we

” go ? “ I should like to follow the river below

” “

. do ou a Sparta , responded Dorus What y s y

” to that ?

“ It suits me , answered Chartas . Shall

” we ask B rasidas to join us ?

“ ! es r , replied Do us readily . I like Bras

u idas . He i s a good companion , and a tr e

” Sp artan .

o f Both above and below Sparta , the bed the

E hi—ll on urotas lay between high , y lands , and the west towered the rocky heights O f the moun

was tain . Here the stream swi ft , and below

O the city it tumbled ver rocks , forming a rapid

cascade . But lower down the river broadened

out over a level plain . Here grew the reeds and the rushes whi ch the boys were sent to

gather for their beds .

To follow the Eurotas was one o f the favor ite excursions of the boys .

94 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

There are other inte resting things about

” “ the river , said Dorus . But you , of course ,

” know about them .

“ ” B ra ida us s s . Tell , responded We may

’ not we know , and even i f do , twill do no harm

” o t hear o f them again .

” do Yes , tell us , added Chartas , for he had already learned that Dorus was a good sto ry

teller . “ ! We all know of Helen , wi fe of ing Mene

“ laus of Sparta , said Dorus . We know that

She was stolen by Paris and t aken to the city of o f o f Troy ; and that the siege Troy , which

for Homer tells in the Iliad , was the purpose o f restoring Helen to her husband and to

r we . Sp a ta . That much learn from Homer

Chartas and B rasidas nodded , but they did not u interr pt .

ou But did y know , continued Dorus , that

on E is farther below us , the urotas , there a tem

” ple dedicated to thi s sam e Helen ? THE DRILL 95

B ras idas to No , exclaimed Chartas and

H o no gether . w far is it ? Can we t go to

it to-day ?

- Hardly , to day , I think , said Dorus , but pe rhaps Orestes will take all our company some

o ea. day , and let us follow the river t the s That would be an exp edition worth while ! ”

“ ” ! B rasi a It is twenty miles exclaimed d s . Could we return by nightfall ? ”

” “ or we Possibly , said Chartas , might stay over the night and have more time to look over

r t o ol the count y , and see the d temples and

” statues .

! ou have heard o f the underground ceme te r o f o f y Castor and Pollux , and the temple

” to ? erected them asked Dorus .

“ ” “ ! es C I , replied hartas , but never have s h o een them . Tell u s t e story f the Twin

”

we to . Brothers , Dorus , be fore return the city

“ ’ ” “ T o ! d is n t . ou an fair , said Dorus

B rasidas as I can tell stori es as well . 96 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

” B ra ida ! s s . , then cried Chartas Tell us

B rasidas ! the story ,

run r h I would rather a ace , or wrestle , t an

” B rasidas tell a story , laughed , but for all that he began

' Castor and Pollux , he said , were twin

r Z brothe s , sons of eus . Castor was a famous

horseman , and Pollux was a wrestler . They both sailed with Jason when he went in sea r ch o f the Golden Flee ce . They had power over

h a t e winds and the se .

“ a Pollux , only , was immort l , and when his Z Twin Brother died , he begged eus , his father ,

i ’ that he be allowed to d vide his brother s fate .

Z eus t av e g consent , and for a long time the

Twin Brothers alte rnated between li fe and

r Z e . s t death But late , eus them together among

the stars o f the heavens . To this day the

images of these gods are carried by our kings

” when they go into war .

“ And it was their images that the colonists

CHAPTE R ! III

DA! S O F PREPARATI ON

A L L Sparta was interested in the approaching

o f w as ar celebration the Carnea . This a w

who was re like festival to the god Apollo , garded as t h e leader and founder o f the Dori

ans r . , the race to which the Spa tans belonged

wor as thein chie f Od He was shipped g , and all the p rInp al temples o f the country were sacred

to him .

was od Apollo called the far darting g ,

n was whose arrows ever missed their mark . He

said to encourage the warriors , and with a

” a o cloud wrapped bout his shoulders , t lead

hicr. them into the t of battle .

Apollo was also rega rded as the punisher o f

r of . evil , and the avenge wrong He was most 98 DAYS OF PREPARATION 99

beloved of all the gods , for he was believed to be the most friendly to man , protecting him

r f om evil , and healing him in sickness .

Many we re the questions which the men of

Sp arta put to the boys du ring the days o f prep

fo r r aration for the festival , these celeb ations were not intended to be simply a time o f fun

r r and frolic . They we e rega ded as a religious

r ce emony, pleasing to the god in whose honor

Fo r r r they were given . this eason the boys we e

to r O expected know the sto ies f the gods , and to understand the meaning of all the ceremonies

connected with the celebration .

Outside the city , tents were being erected , and the plain on which they stood looked like

the encampment o f a miniature army .

There were nine tents in all . E a ch tent was

who to be occupied by nine men , would live as

r though in a milita y camp , and the celebration

would last for nine days .

The boys spent all their spare time watching 100 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

the preparations for the festival . They saw the tents erected ; they knew how th ey we r e

r r fu nished , and what men we e to occupy each o A ne . S they went about the plain , they amused themselves by imagining that they were Visiting

r the tents of a g eat army , and that they , them

r r selves , we e soldie s .

o f one As a group the boys returned , day ,

from an insp ection of the camp , they took an unfr equented p ath that l ed them back to the

a city by a longer w y .

h r r n I ea d a new sto y, this morni g , said

“ o f s ol Chartas , as they walked on . One the

die rs told it to me . I liked it . “ Tell ’ us ! tell us ! ” exclaimed the boys in

chorus .

“ a o f one o f r The story w s Sous , the war iors

f was o . in the ea rly days Sparta He a king ,

” t s and a real Spartan hero , said Char a , with

“ da shining eyes . One y he and his warriors

were surrounded by their enemies . They had

102 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

his the dipping hand in fountain , he moistened

r r t his skin with the wate , and tu ned away wi h ou t drinking .

’ ‘

s . I till can deny myself , he said The c rown is mine !

“ ” ! ! r Fine fine exclaimed the boys , as Cha

tas finished .

“ is r Theo nis That a good sto y , said g , and

” it was well told .

r - l Chartas will yet ival you in story tel ing ,

”

are s B rasidas . i f you not careful , aid

” r Theo nis Oh , eplied g , he is already a

wort hy rival .

” Have you anothe r sto ry as good as that ?

a sked Dorus .

”

N O r . , eplied Chartas with a laugh But

” perhap s some one else has .

on r ust t hen e No e voluntee ed , and j Gelon gav

a hasty exclamation .

“ ” Look at that mise r able hut ! he said .

” ? see he W ho can live in such a place But , DAYS OF PREPARATION 103

added , there is a man coming out of the

’ door f

The boys looked , and at once their gaze was held by the strange appearance o f the

man .

o f The men Sparta wore their hair long ,

o f as while that the slaves w cropped close .

But the hair o f this man was long upon one h o f is . side head , and cut close upon the other

His cloak hung upon him in rags .

was r n now his He hur ying alo g the path , eyes

h r upon t e g ound . The boys were strangely

r quiet . As he d ew near to them , he glanced u p , and , seeing them , he stepped aside , and ,

for to with downcast eyes , waited them

pass . For some time longer the boys were silent

a s they walked on . Then Theron spoke . Who i s he ? ”

“ ! r ou not A deserter said Do us . Di d y

noti ce his hal f-cropped head ? I remember o f 104 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

hearing my father tell about him . He ran away

r r from the a my du ing an attack . He might

e better have been killed , for then he would hav

been a hero . Now he is an outlaw . He can

in NO one not live the city . will give him fire for his hearth . He cannot vote ; he can take

no part in the games or the festivals . No one

r will w estle with him in the gymnasium . He

” lives alone .

“ He even made way for us in the p ath l

exclaimed Theognis .

“ e Yes , added Dorus , and i f he wer wit

one o f nessing a game and us had no seat , he

” would have to give up his .

“ ” What a terr ible li fe ! exclaimed B rasidas .

So that i s what it means to be a deserter from the Spartan a rmy ! ”

“ o f I have heard , said Chartas , a de

sert er who a fterward r ushed headlong into the

most dange r ous place in a battle in order that

” he might be kill ed.

CHAPTE R ! IV

TH E CARN EA

IN r the early mo ning , a group of young girls might have been seen climbing some o f the

e o f was r low r slop es the hills . It the fi st day o f C arnean r r the festival , and they we e in sea ch o f Vines and flowers as offerings for the altar o f r Apollo . Among the gi ls were Melissa ,

’ who Chartas sister , and Gorgo , had driven her

chariot so fearles sly at the last festival .

“ I kn ow where there are late roses in blos

“ som , said Melissa . Come with me , and I

” o o f r will Show y u . A group the gi ls followed ,

- a s she climbed a near by hill . “ ! ” Oh , how beauti ful they exclaimed , as

they came upon the bushes , bending with fra

r g ant blossoms . 106 TH E GIRLS MA DE A B EA UTIFUL PICTURE W ITH ” TH EI R LI GHT DRA P ERI ES A N D FRE SH FLOW ERS .

108 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN strange that we take part in the contests and

nl the choruses . In Athens , o y the men take

part . The girls must stay at home . And when

do r they go upon the st eet , they must wear veils

”

o one . over their faces , and speak t no

And do you think these strangers are from

” Athens ? asked Melissa .

“ h'ink o ! es r I t s . , answe ed Gorgo , They

o m a wear embroidered cloaks , and jeweled

” ments , and they talk and laugh like girls .

“ ” are ? k But they are young , they not as ed f another o the girls .

“

o . They are not boys , replied Gorg But you will doubtless see them for yourselves .

” “ we re Come , she added , rising, it is time

”

our r . turned , and ga lands are finished

The statue o f the C arnean Apollo was o f

for wood , and many , many years it had stood ,

was for uncovered by any temple . But it this rude wooden image that the girls of Sparta w ere p reparing their offerings o f flowers and gar THE CARNEA 109

O f and ar lands . At the sound flute cith a , they

hastened and took their places in the p ro ces

Sion .

A S the gi rls adv anced with gr ace ful steps and

r f r ar gestures , and laid thei of e ings upon the alt

o f od the g , the people sang a j oyous chorus of

thanksgiving for the peace and plenty that

Sparta had enj oyed .

The nine days o f the festival were filled with

r . sacrifices , processions , milita y drills , and musi c

was o f It a time rejoi cing for all the people ,

o f and especially for the boys Sparta , for they

were trained to be soldiers , and the war like chara cter o f the Carnea pleased them

mightily .

O r Some f the boys lingered beside the alta ,

a fter the exercises o f the day .

“ ” Think how long thi s image has stood ! e Theo nis as xclaimed g , he threw himsel f upon the grass and picked up a flower which had

f o e of allen from n the garlands . 110 O UR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

” Tis said , replied Chartas , stretching him

Theo nis sel f upon the ground beside g , that d it stoo here when Menelaus and Helen ruled .

It must have witnessed the stealing away o f

” Helen .

“ ! es , added Dorus , and the setting out

” of the fleet to bring her back from Troy .

It makes the p oems o f Homer seem more

” to o f B r ida s a s . real , think that , said s Perhap it will be easier for me to r emember my lines i f I think o f them in connection with the Sparta

o f was that I know , and this image , which

standing then .

One part O f the festival was given up to

o f O musical contests , both singers and f those who played upon instruments , and the vi ctors

o f w ere crowned with wreaths laurel . It was for not for honor that they sang , gi fts , and the laurel wreath won for its wearer the praise and

o f honor all .

“ I wonder i f I shall ever be crowned a Vic

112 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

r ti ful Sight , and the Sp a tans loved beauty , though only a free , rugged beauty pleased

them .

The girls were dressed in soft white gar

r an e r ments , and they like the swi ft , fr e child en

of nature that they were . The matrons of

r r Spa ta , thei faces veiled , watched the contest .

“ What would ou r siste r s in Athens say to

? ” such sport as this exclaimed one o f the s r r trange s of whom Go go had spoken .

w r They would ish to live in Spa ta , I think ,

o f r replied another the g oup .

But not when they had tasted the Spartan

” black bro th and ba rley bread ! exclaimed a

third , with a laugh .

“ ” is That right , said the second speaker,

although one must admit that the Spartans

not t do live upon bread and bro h only , as our

” Athenians claim .

“ ” ru ! b e ! uite t e said the first . But ,

” s o f ware , he added , in a lower tone , ome THE CARNEA 113

ar u these Spartans e scowling pon us even now .

” r We had better hold o u tongu es .

The festiv al clo se d with the Singing of a g r eat

man p , in which all the people j oined .

r r When it was all ove , and the city retu ned

to its usual quiet li fe , with no tents standing

r o f upon the plain , and no c owds or sound music

r m in the st eets , li fe see ed dull enough to the

o r boys . But they t ok up their d ills , and games ,

and music , and soon settled down to their every

day li fe again . CHAPTE R ! V

T H E TRU CE B EARERS

” W H O are these ? asked B rasidas o f Char tas as two r , strange men entered Sparta nea

“ o f the close a summer day . They must have

” r n , t aveled some distance , he added , oti cing

- r their dust cove ed cloaks .

“ r r They are travele s , surely , replied Cha

’ tas d B rasidas , and then , laying his han upon

“ arm , he said eagerly , I wonder can it be

” that they are the truce -be are r s from Elis ? “ ! ” Truly , I believe that they are exclaimed

”

B rasidas . w . Come , let us follo

The travele r s looked about them with inte r est in , as travelers a strange city will , and the

two eager boys followed .

Pre sently the men reached the market-place h t e t . o f ci y, and entered 114

116 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN we boys are neve r allowed in the ma rket

” place .

“ Spartans are not trained for farmers o r

” “ r B rasidas t adesmen , said , and I suppose i f we r e we w we e allow d there , ould be idle and

” “ r cu ious . But , listen , he added , I believe

they are coming back .

B ra i o s das was right . The tw men were now accompanied by some o f the magistrates o f the

r city. B efore the strange s went a herald who

“ ! ! E called Attend , ye people The lean truce bearers o f Zeus address you !

The people stopped in their various occupa

r tions . They came from their homes , and f om

as the temples , and gathered in the streets the t ruce-bearers went about proclaiming their mes sage

“ ‘ ’ r No army may invade anothe r s territo y .

in the All must live peace , that sacred games at Olympia may be celebrated without inter r r uption o discord . THE TRUCE BEARERS 117

The re was gene r al rej oi cing throughout the

- r r city , as the tru ce beare s proclaimed thei mis sion , and the approaching games became the

o f r chie f topic conve sation .

to Your father has been the games , said

r r Gelon to Cha tas , as the boys we e together

“

a . later . Tell us wh t it i s like at Olympia He ? ” has told you , has he not

“ r It 18 r Yes , eplied Chartas , but bette to

” r one hea from who has seen for himself .

“ But none O f us have been . Tell us what

’ r you can , u ged the boys .

“ O f course we k now that everybody goes

” “ who s can , said Chartas , and Father ays that the roads leading to Olympia ar e filled with

o f travelers every age , and every station in li fe .

Some ride , but many more walk .

“ ” At Olympia , he continued , there is a

o f Z great temple with an image eus , which i s

r made from ivo y and gold . The image is forty

o r ff feet high . All the people g the e with O er 118 OUR LITTLE SPAR TAN COUSIN

who t the ings , but those are to take par in games go befo r e the image and take oath that

thC they have a right to compete , and that y

r n will use only fai means to wi . In the groves there are many statues of

r victo s , besides temples and altars to the gods .

“ r a A cou se is laid out for the g mes , and the people sit in the se ats and upon the hillsides

” c r whi h rise all a ound it .

” It must be a wonde r ful festival ! ex

B ra as claimed sid .

“ ! es r , continued Chartas , Fathe says that

r r - for m er it is like a g eat ma ket place , too ,

o chants bring all kinds o f goods the re t sell .

But our Spartan money is not O f much use in

r no r buying from fo eign merchants , have they

much to sell that could be used in Sparta . We

' o fo r nor would care to little luxuries , they be

allowed within the city .

“ ” r e e On the last day , Cha tas resumed , th r

ro e sion in o f are p c s s honor the victors , and sac

120 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

r That is true , eplied Gelon , but I would wager up on a Spartan maiden against a man of Athens ! ! Good cried the boys heartily , although

a r they shouted at the same time with l ughte .

“ ’ ” But Gorgo s horses are wonde r ful ! said

r Dorus , when they had g own quiet again . “ ! And all the boys agreed , That is true CHAPTE R ! VI

EART H A N D W ATER

! O U so so seem quiet , Orestes , and thought

r ful . Is anything troubling you ? It was Cha tas who spoke , and he looked anxiously into

’ Orestes face .

Three years have passed since we last saw

Chartas , and he is no longer a member of a

company of boys , but the captain of a comp any o f o n his w . The friendship between Orestes

and himself has grown with the years , and now there s eems less difference between their ages

than when they were younger .

“ ” I a m troubled , Orestes answered . Not

” for C mysel f , he added , as hartas gave a qui ck

o f — gesture sympathy , but for Sp arta nay ,

” not for Sparta alone , but for Greece .

”

T ou s i C . hen y believe the rumor , sa d hartas 121 122 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

“ You think the Persians are r eally likely to invade Greece ? ”

“ ” ! es s , replied Oreste , I do believe the

” rumors .

But even though the Persian numbers are

’ “ great , as tis said , Chartas answered , they

‘ no are a barbarian horde . They could t stand

” against the t r ained soldiers o f Greece .

o f Orestes smiled at the earnest fa ce Chartas ,

one o f not o f but his smile was appreciation ,

amusement .

a I hope you are right , he s id . But some times I fear it i s our own ignorance that makes

” not us feel so secure . Mind , he added , I do think we are going to be defeated i f the Per

s sian come , but that the struggle will be a much

e now greater one than w Spartans , at least ,

realize .

? ” H ow have you learned this asked Char

’ fo r e tas , Orestes earnest speech had mad a deep impression upon him .

124 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

“ ar They are barbarians ! They e no Greeks . What does it mean ? ”

A s on the men passed , Chartas and Orestes

followed at a distance . The men went straight

the - r to market place , passed the Temple of Fea ,

E horeum and stopped before the p . After look

ing about them for a moment , they entered the

building .

By this time quite a crowd had gathered , for the sight o f the two str angers had awakened f the curiosity o all . “ Who are ' they ? ” Where are they

” “ ” from ? What is their business ? These questions were heard upon every side , but no o ne could answer .

For a long time the people waited , while the crowd increased a s the news spread , until it seemed as though every citizen - O f Sparta w as

in the throng .

At length the ephors app e ared . The stran T gers were with them . hen these stepped aside , EARTH AND WATER ” 125

and the two kings O f Sparta stepped from the h m door o f the Ep oreu .

“ They must have inte rrupted a session o f

’ i r the epho s , said Chartas , and then he stopped

one O f . and listened , for the kings was speaking

” “ o f ! M en Sparta , he said , ing Darius of

Persia has sent his ambassadors to demand O f

” us o f a gi ft earth and water . T here was a moment o f absolute silence .

r Then , from every side , there arose an uproa o f sound . Men shouted , groaned , shook their

b ellowin s o f fists ; there were imprecations , g

who wrath , j eers , and oaths . The women

or or fringed the crowd shrieked , wailed ,

laughed aloud in derision .

o f The king waited . The ambassadors Da r r ius first flushed ; then g ew pale .

“ ” E arth and water ! exclaimed Orestes b e

“ tw ! een set teeth . It has come But I wish

Darius himsel f were here . I wonder i f he

would think the Spartans likely to become his 126 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN subj ects — to p ay him tr ibute ! Fo r this was

’ O f the meaning the ambassadors mission .

E he o f r arth and water were t signs sur ender .

In the meantime the up roa r continued — in

r r c eased . The sound had brought othe s from

r r the outskirts of the city . F om all di ections

r they we e coming , running , shouting , inquir

. as h r ing And t ey lea ned the news , they , too ,

shouted defiance , threw their arms , threat

ened .

At fi rst the ambassado rs had listened to the mob with cu rling lip s and heads thrown back .

But as the t umult increased their manner

changed . One of them raised his hand , and

attempted to speak .

e fl o rt But it was useless . The only roused the m ob to ridicule ; and then threats of Vio

lence began to be hea r d .

“ ” ! r e No , no cried O est s , to a man beside

w as s r am him , who houting th eats against the “ f a ors e o . b ass d , rem mber the honor Sparta

CHAPTE R ! VII

A R U N N ER F ROM MARAT H ON

” O F ? what are you thinking , these days a e r ; sked Orest s , as he came upon Cha tas walk

ing Slowly along a footpath outside the city .

’ ” o f for war an Of Sparta s lack readiness ,

wered r Ev o f s Chartas f ankly . en the boys

- my company drill but half heartedly . I think their interests are all upon games and festivals .

I o a ou am not s good a captain s y were , Ores

” tes .

“ do r I not hear that f om others , replied

all Orestes with a smile . But Sparta i s rest

” “

ss . not le , he added , and I think it i s wholly

due to the games .

The sound of rapid footfalls and o f panting 128 TH E MA N T R D H I S F O R B O U N E H EA D U T O N E W RD .

130 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN that he had run a distance O f one hundr ed and

- forty miles in forty eight hours .

The word spread like fire through the city .

r A unner has come from Marathon . The

i r Pers an army is eady to attack Athens . They

” r want uS t o send t oops .

a r e There w s conste nation . It was the tim of

t o sacrificing the gods , and it lacked five days

r till the full moon . No Spartan a my could begin its ma r ch till the time o f the full moon . What could be done ? Can the sacrifices be neglected ? ” asked

some .

“ What ca r e the Persians for our sacrifices !

for ? exclaimed others . Will they wait that What about Athens ?

We must help Athens ! H ow can we t e

” fus e ? cried Orestes . “ But the sacrifices ! We must honor the

gods i f we hope to win in battle ! said the older m en. A RUNNER FROM MARATHON 13 1

It is yet five days till the moon i s full ,

our cried another . We cannot send soldiers until then !

’ o r r Twill take that time to gather u a my, another declared — though it was but an ex

cuse to temporize .

o f The counsel the Older men prevailed , as

it always did in Sparta , and a fter the long

fiv e days o f delay the t r oops were in readi

ness .

“ not to o I am young to go , cried Chartas

“ r too implo ingly . And Sparta has few men

” t o meet the Persian horde !

O r war r He is best f all the Pyr hi c dance s ,

one o f said the men .

e we If Orest s goes , cannot hold him , said

another .

so And , when the troops marched away from

’ Sparta , Chartas went by Orestes side .

s o f i o f After anxious day wai t ng , the sounds 132 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

fi fe and cithara were heard advancing from the l hi ls .

The p eople o f Sp arta flocked out , and ran

f ar beyond the ci ty to meet the re tu rning army .

l r ? H ow th e Wou d the e be few , or many had

? b att le gone

The enti re army w as re t urning ! The people

for o shouted j y .

Bu t the soldie rs ma r ched wi th grim faces .

” We we r e too l ate ! exclaimed the general

in w as t command , and it as hough he had flung

the words in the faces o f the people . We

delayed ! The battle was fought without us !

“

r ia w r . But . he added , the Pe s ns e e defeated

” The gods themselv es fou ght f or Greece .

r n r As the a my disba ded , group s fo med here

and there to lea rn the sto ry in greater detail .

' how the Then the people we r e told Athenians ,

w r though fe in number , had met the Pe sian

o f h Iarathon r host o n the plain , and ha d d iven

too them back to their ships . The y were told , ,

134 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

o - i fo t h lls . The impulse was strong upon him .

He had been stirred by the picture which Char

’ tas words had called up — o f the gods fight

tu ing for Greece and easily , na rally, he

to t began put the pic ures into words , and then

r w to sing . As the pictu es gre more distinct , so the words o f his song fashioned themselves

r r more eadily , until his voice rose clea ly , freely,

man o f . in a s ong O f triumph , a p thanksgiving

“ ” r Hark ! said O estes softly , for he and Chartas had strolled away from the noisy

’ ” Theo nis o f . group s . Tis the voice g

“ “

r . Truly it is , said Cha tas But what is

” his song ? I have not heard it .

odd No ? questioned Orestes , with an “ ? smile . What have I told you , Chartas

For a moment Chartas looked puzzled , and

o f then his face lighted . With a gasp astonish ment he asked ! Do you think the song i s his own ?

“ e Lis ten , said Orestes again , and now th y A RUNNER FROM MARATHON 135

The o nis heard the words , as g sang of the battle

o f of the aid the gods in the battle .

’ ” o n ! r h Ti s his w cried Cha tas in delig t .

r Oh , O estes , he must sing at the festi val !

re I hope that he will , said O stes , but we

h de must i his own time .

sat That night , as the men in barracks a fter

Theo nis their evening meal , g took his cithara

and began to sing . It was hi s own song of the

battle .

The men listened ; the y leaned fo rward ;

unconsciously they began to beat the time , and

was when the song finished , voices arose shout ! ! ” ing , Victor vi ctor

There was no lau r el wreath with which to

r Theo nis for c own him , but g was satisfied , he knew that his song was approved ; that hi s gi ft was recognized .

The song was called for again , and yet again .

to Then others began sing it with him , until 136 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

finally all the voices j oined in the new p man o f

thanksgiving .

“ Theo nis as Ah , g , said Chartas , soon as

he could j oin him , Orestes has been waiting

” for n this , but I was stupid . I did not k ow .

r O r estes ! e xclaimed Theognis in surp ise .

” H ow should he know ?

” r t r Oh , eplied Char as , he has unde stood

as ! you . But I w blind

“ ” Theo nis r But , Chart as , said g , g asping his

“ ho was ou w . hand , it y aroused me at last It was you who gave me the subj e cf f or my song !

138 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

M any who were o f our old comp any are

” “ ” ! ou o f going , said Gelon . are , course ,

! ou he added . have trained for the foot

’ racef

“ ! es , I have trained , replied Chartas , but

he said no more . Gorgo is sending her chariot and h orses !

” win exclaimed Dorus . I hope they will .

It was late r in the day when Chartas again

o f hi met some s friends , and again the subject

o f the Olympic games was mentioned . The boys had not understood his appa r ent indiff er

o f r ence the mo ning , for he had taken his many months o f training for the foot-race with such enthusiasm and perseverance that they all had

predi cted that he would win . And now , when

he said , in answer to a question from Gelon ,

I shall not compete , they were too greatly

su rprised even to speak .

Chartas looked into their faces . He had

ho ped t o be able to show them what O r estes FOR SPARTA’ S HONOR 139

had Shown him , O f the danger that threatened

Greece ! o f the need of standing ready fo r ih

st ant action . The battle of M arathon , too , had

opened his eyes to the S i ze and character of the

r Pe sian army , and he knew that the defeat of the Persians the r e would by no means end the

o invasion ; and of this , too , he had hoped t

convince them .

But what Chartas saw when he looked into

o f h the faces is friends held him speechless .

It was a dawning look of distrust ; even o f

scorn .

Could it be that these friends , with whom he

o f had lived day by day , through all the years

for his boyhood and youth , could believe a moment that he was a coward ? So the faces told him !

f o f With a su focating , choking sense resent

ment, anger , hurt, he turned and strode

H nor . e not e away could sp ak , would he ,

now. 140 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

fo r I have no heart the games this year , said Orestes , later , when he and Chartas were

“ r alone together . I f it we e not that you are

” to no compete , I Should t go . “ d But I Shall not compete , sai Chartas

quietly . I have already withdrawn . He

his see turned face , that Orestes might not its

for his r wa expression , hu t s still fresh and

keen .

“ What ! Not compete ? And you have

for - trained the foot race , and are almost sure

o in ! t w cried Orestes .

“ to I had thought go , said Chartas , but

o f r even though it is the time the t uce , some thing tells me that Sparta will have need O f men

” at home .

It was some moments before O r estes an

’ er d a r sw e . Then he laid hi s arm cross Cha ta s

“ s t ur houlders with the old ges e , as he said , It

must have been a hard stru ggle to give it up .

o f Aye , it took courage , more than most your

142 OUR LITTLE SPARTAN COUSIN

t a . proval , par ly of disapprov l But he went

on .

The men came as ambassadors . They bore

e a mess age from their king . Had w acted with

i we — honor , would have sent them back empty

to — we handed , be sure but would have sent

r them back to thei king .

r e But Spa ta has a consci nce , he continued ,

’ and Sparta s conscience is at length a roused . ” We must wipe out the stain upon our honor !

“ ” ! es , yes ! cried many Voices among the

Ho w we do throng , while others shouted , can it ? ”

“ i wa . There s but one y , said the aged man

He was silent as his gaze swept over the up

r one wa ! tu ned faces o f the multitude . But y

he rep eated slowly . Then , a fter an impressive

- “ ! pause , he added We must send two men to

to r Darius , fa e at hi s hands as his ambassadors did at ours !

There was a breathless silence . FOR SPARTA’ S HONOR 143

Then there was a movement among the crowd , and at almost the same instant four

r one Spartans stood be fo e the senator , and as

’ ! man they said I will go . For Sparta s honor ,

” I will go .

S er hias The senator looked at the men . p t , ! Bulis , Orestes , Chartas he cried . But two

” lo . t are needed The shall be cast .

’ ’ Again Orestes arm rested upon Chartas

r shoulder , as he whispe ed , Pray the gods that we may go together !

was to . a But it not be The lot w s cast , and the names o f Sp er thias and Bulis were

called .

wa no There s shout . A feeling o f solemnity

fell upon the people , as they realized the price that must be paid for their rash and dishonor

able act .

in low ! uietly they dispersed , talking under

tones , and with grave faces . h C artas felt a hand placed upon his arm . 144 OUR LITTLE SPAR TAN COUSIN

r r and Tu ning , he faced his fathe , beside Danaus

r hIeli a we e his mother and ss .

hIelissa caught hi s hand , and held it close , while his mother threw her arms about him

but said no word .

’ l\4 son y , said Danaus simply , you have

” t r a made us bo h p oud and h ppy .

Then a group O f young men sought out

r r O estes and Chartas . Tu ning toward the

r the r o g oup , f iends stood in the attit ude s famil

iar to them all .

ru w as r Do s the fi st to speak .

” “ r a r Cha tas , he s id , yeste day , a fter you

u s y ou w r le ft , I called a co a d , because you with

r r -r r d ew f om the foot ace . I thought you fea ed

a N ow the tri l . I hate mysel f for having had

n su ch a thought . I should have k own you bette r !

“ all ha n w t r We should ve k o n you be te ,

cri ed The ron and Gelon .

” ! a B r asidas r for And I excl imed , p essing

Se le c tio ns fro m

’ T he Page C o m p any s B o o ks fo r ! o u ng Pe o p le

THE B LU E B ONNET SERIES

E ach lar e 12m loth de orative illu strated er g , c c , , p volu me A TE! AS BLUE BONNET

A B S . By C A ROLINE E . J C O “ ’ The book s hero ne Blue Bonnet has the v er fi nest i , , y k nd of whol esome honest l v el rl shness and annot i , , i y gi i c b ut m ak e fr ends w th ev er one wh o m eets h er through i i ” y i I r- m um . Ch a o nte O ea th e book as edi c g c n . BLUE BONNET ’S RANCH PARTY E D ! TH A OLI E E . J A C OB S A ND ELLE B E EA By C R N R C ! R D . The st ory is b oth pretty and unh a ck neyed in its sim licit and is as unl k e the ord nar t ale of Texas as an p y , y i ” i y m n The Livin A e . thing to b e i agi ed . g g

IN OR B OA RDING BLUE BONNET BOSTON ; , ’ S H D C OOL A! S A T MI SS NORTH S . B A a E A D A B S n H R H A S . y C ROLINE E . J C O d L L O N RIC R Blu e B onnet ent ers a B ost on b oar ding-school in thi s v olume and thou h she fi nds it rath er hard to on orm , g c f t o the rul es and re ulat ons her breez enerous and g i , y , g impul siv e nature soon mak e her a fav orite at the s elect ho l sf p. THE PA GE COMPA N ! ’S

THE ! OU NG PIONEER SERIES

B y H A RRI SON A DAMS

E a h 12mo loth de orative illu strated er c , c c , , p volu me

THE OF THE OR PIONEER BOYS OHIO ; ,

C LE A RING THE WILD ERNESS . Su ch b ook s a s thi s ar e an admirabl e m eans of stim u l ating am ong the young Am ericans of t o—day int erest in the st ory of th eir pioneer an cest ors and the early days of ”

B o t n lobe . th e Rep ublic . s o G Very interesting and instru ctiv e from a his torical o nt of V ew as v n an a urat e dea of the hardshi s p i i , gi i g cc i p ” endured by the pioneers of the R ev olutionary days . l r Omaha E xce sio . THE PIONEER BOYS ON THE GREAT LA! ES ; O T TRA O F T I HE IL HE O OI . R , ON R ! U S “ Th e recit al of the daring deeds of the frontier is not only int eresting b u t instru ctiv e as well and shows th e s terl ng t p e of charact er which th es e da s of self -rel ance i y ” y i l r d T r t r a A merica n ou is hica o. and t o u ed . C i p c , g

THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSISSIPPI ; R T H ME STEA D T D E E O HE O IN HE WIL RN SS . , Th e st or is t old w th s r t is ull of adv entur e and y i pi i , f will prov e one of the m ost popul ar cont ributions t o the lit eratur e of those days wh en bold pioneers p av ed the way t o the present s ettlement and c v l zat on of the ” i i i i l — ! or M dd e es . n i W t New k Su .

THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSOURI ;

O R IN THE OU NTR! O F THE SIOU ! . , C V v d in st l e v orous in m ov ement ull of dramat c i i y , ig , f i s tu at ons tru e to hi stor ers e t v e th s stor is a. i i , ic p p c i , i y

a tal one for b o s . Wat hman Examiner New ! ork c pi y c , it C y . A — 2