Damon and Pythias

by James Baldwin

　　

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A young man whose name was Pyth´i-as had done something which thetyrant Dionysius did not like. For this offense he was dragged toprison, and a day was set when he should be put to death. His home wasfar away, and he wanted very much to see his father and mother andfriends before he died."Only give me leave to go home and say good-by to those whom I love,"he said, "and then I will come back and give up my life."The tyrant laughed at him."How can I know that you will keep your promise?" he said. "You onlywant to cheat me, and save your-self."Then a young man whose name was Da-mon spoke and said,--"O king! put me in prison in place of my friend Pyth-i-as, and let himgo to his own country to put his affairs in order, and to bid hisfriends fare-well. I know that he will come back as he promised, forhe is a man who has never broken his word. But if he is not here onthe day which you have set, then I will die in his stead."The tyrant was sur-prised that anybody should make such an offer. Heat last agreed to let Pythias go, and gave orders that the young manDa-mon should be shut up in prison.Time passed, and by and by the day drew near which had been set forPythias to die; and he had not come back. The tyrant ordered thejailer to keep close watch upon Damon, and not let him escape. ButDamon did not try to escape. He still had faith in the truth and honorof his friend. He said, "If Pythias does not come back in time, itwill not be his fault. It will be because he is hin-dered against hiswill."At last the day came, and then the very hour. Damon was ready to die.His trust in his friend was as firm as ever; and he said that he didnot grieve at having to suffer for one whom he loved so much.Then the jailer came to lead him to his death; but at the same momentPythias stood in the door. He had been de-layed by storms andship-wreck, and he had feared that he was too late. He greeted Damonkindly, and then gave himself into the hands of the jailer. He washappy because he thought that he had come in time, even though it wasat the last moment.The tyrant was not so bad but that he could see good in others. Hefelt that men who loved and trusted each other, as did Damon andPythias, ought not to suffer un-just-ly. And so he set them bothfree."I would give all my wealth to have one such friend," he said.

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