The histories of Herodotus;

278 HERODOTUS—BOOK V, TERPSICHORE [12-15
the Persian or Lydian customs, nor of any other people in
Asia ; when, therefore, it attracted his attention, he sent some
of his body-guard, bidding them observe what the woman
would do with the horse. The guards accordingly followed
her, and she, when she came to the river, watered the horse
and having watered it, and filled her pitcher, returned by the
same way, carrying the water on. her head, leading the horse
on her arm, and turning her spindle. Darius, surprised at
what he heard from the spies, and at what he himself had
seen, commanded them to bring her into his presence ; and
when she was brought, her brothers also made their appearance,
who were keeping a lookout somewhere not far off:
and when Darius asked of what country she was, the young
men said that they were Paeonians, and that she was their
sister. He then inquired, " Who are the Paeonians, in what
part of the world do they live, and for what purpose have they
come to Sardis ? " They told him that they had come to deliver
themselves up to him, and that Paeonia was situated on
the river Strymon, and the Strymon was not far from the
Hellespont; and that they were a colony of Teucrians from
Troy. They then mentioned these several particulars ; and he
asked if all the women of that country were so industrious.
They readily answered that such was the case, for they had
formed their plan for this very purpose.
Thereupon Darius wrote letters to Megabyzus, whom he
had left general in Thrace, commanding him to remove the
Paeonians from their abodes, and to bring to him themselves,
their children, and their wives. A horseman immediately
hastened to the Hellespont with the message; and having
crossed over, delivered the letter to Megabyzus ; but he, having
read it, and taking guides from Thrace, marched against
Paeonia. The Paeonians, having heard that the Persians were
coming against them, assembled, and drew out their forces
toward the sea, thinking that the Persians would attempt to
enter and attack them in that direction: the Paeonians, accordingly,
were prepared to repel the army of Megabyzus at
its first onset. But the Persians, understanding that the Paeonians
had assembled and were guarding the approaches on
the coast, having guides, went the upper road ; and having
escaped the notice of the Paeonians, came suddenly on their
towns, which were destitute of inhabitants, and as they fell
upon them when empty, they easily got possession of them.
But the Paeonians, as soon as they heard that their cities were
taken, immediately dispersed themselves, and repaired each
to his own home, and gave themselves up to the Persians.
;