Athonia, Or, the Original Four Hundred (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII THE SHIP LANDS AT GYTHIUM "At all landing places a contingent of us men voyagers will remain on the ship, fully armed, but out of view; so if the unexpected should happen, action can be taken without delay. I also recall the rule: 'Voyagers should not proceed inland so far as to lose sight of the ship's masts and flags.' Events may make it necessary for the ship to depart in great haste at any time. "The committee of rules and order are again mingling among the voyagers. Marstenes calls out: 'Break ranks.' The voyagers all seem eager to inspect the sights and condition of things on shore. The wind being very light and coming from the northeast, leaves the waters of the bay quite smooth. Large crowds of Gythians are gathered on the shore, shouting and gesticulating in an excited manner. Marstenes has ordered a certain number of voyagers to don their armor and form into a warrior's squad in the ship's hull and remain out of sight The ship's sails are lowered. Four large stone anchors are dropped to the bottom of the bay and our ship lies close to the shore. Thus we have landed at Gythium. "The ship's long, narrow raft has made a pathway from the ship to the landing. The floating of the wharf is accomplished by the friendly aid of Gythians in small row-boats. It is the duty of the landing committee of four to go ashore, visit the city's ruler, and to return and report on the condition of things. The landing committee, Greetus, Strabo, Falallus, Terrafirma and Theognis, the hist mentioned being our ship's most accomplished linguist and gesture interpreter, have climbed down the ladder to the wharf. With a scroll in hand, Strabo and the rest of the Committee of Landing are passing through the dense crowd beyond the wharf. The scroll, which was embe...