Mission to Marathon Read Online Free PDF

‘We’ll be all right, you’ll see.’
    They were accepted as light infantry. Their knowledge of the ground might be useful. Philip wished he was big enough to join them, but had to admit that he would be of no use.
    â€˜One thing worries me,’ said Lucius.
    â€˜What’s that?’ someone asked.
    â€˜Five of our generals have given up their turn to Miltiades. Tomorrow’s his last day to command.
He’s
far our best chance of winning. What will happen if he has to hand over command to someone else?’
    What would tomorrow bring? Not the Spartans, anyway, thought Philip.

7
The Day of Destiny
    Miltiades was spoiling for a fight. There was no doubt of that.
    But Miltiades was no fool. How could he march out and attack a Persian army perhaps three times as big as his own?
    The Persian cavalry were the greatest threat. Apart from small mounted patrols, riding to and fro across the plain, they had not so far been much in evidence. But they were there all right. Their horses could be seen in the distance, grazing in the wide marshes.
    They could be rounded up and mounted fast enough if the Greeks came down on to the open ground. Miltiades must be well aware of that. He had experience of Persianfighting in other places and other wars. And he had no cavalry of his own to throw against them.
    Philip and Nycilla took their usual early walk next day on the higher slopes above the cave. Their elders encouraged them. Everyone wanted to hear if there was any sign of action round the bay. If the restless young were happy to make that steep climb no one would discourage them.
    â€˜If only the Spartans would come,’ said Nycilla for the hundredth time.
    â€˜They won’t,’ said Philip. ‘Not today.’
    Every night he scowled up at the moon and calculated. Even when the Spartans were free to start, even though they were famous for their forced marches, they could not compete with the speed of an Olympic runner.
    The cousins mounted a crest which suddenly gave them a wider view of the bay.
    â€˜Look!’ the girl cried excitedly. ‘There are no horses! Where have they gone?’
    The marshy pastures were almost empty. Philip looked to the right, bracing himself for some alarming sight – the massedcavalry suddenly in movement against the Greek position. There was not a horse to be seen.
    â€˜They must be in the ships!’ exclaimed Nycilla. ‘Yes, I can see some being led on board!’
    Philip swung round. She was right. There seemed to be great activity along that spit of land. Files of horses were led up gangways into the transport vessels. Some ships were already well out into the bay. Sails were being hoisted. A screen of war galleys, with their long banks of oars, was strung out across the open sea.
    â€˜They are giving up,’ said the girl hopefully. ‘They can see it’s no good. Oh, Philip, it’s almost too good to be true!’
    â€˜It
is
too good to be true. The camp’s still there. Look, the soldiers are all there. And they’re forming up. Thousands of them.’
    She stared down, mystified. She hadn’t always listened, as Philip had, to the endless discussions of the men during the last day or two. She had found it so boring. But now she was desperate to know what was going to happen. She begged Philip to explain.
    He did his best. If the Persians could not tempt the Greeks down into the plain, their famous cavalry was no use to them. But while the two armies glared at each other at Marathon, the city of Athens was left defenceless. If the Persian cavalry sailed south along the coast they would be able to land, practically unopposed, within a mile or two of their main objective.
    â€˜Can Miltiades get back to Athens in time to stop them?’ she asked.
    â€˜Not with the rest of the Persian army on his heels! I don’t see how.’
    It seemed hopeless. It would be suicide if the Greeks at Marathon turned