Pelopidas   

of those that stayed behind sent a messenger to Charon, they went
forward, clad in short coats, and carrying hounds and hunting-poles
with them, that they might be taken for hunters beating over the fields,
and prevent all suspicion in those that met them on the way. When
the messenger came to Charon, and told him they were approaching,
he did not change his resolution at the sight of danger, but, being
a man of his word, offered them his house. But one Hipposthenidas,
a man of no ill principles, a lover of his country, and a friend to
the exiles, but not of as much resolution as the shortness of time
and the character of the action required, being as it were dizzied
at the greatness of the approaching enterprise; and beginning now
for the first time to comprehend that, relying on that weak assistance
which could be expected from the exiles, they were undertaking no
less a task than to shake the government, and overthrow the whole
power of Sparta; went privately to his house and sent a friend to
Melon and Pelopidas, desiring them to forbear for the present, to
return to Athens and expect a better opportunity. The messenger's
name was Chlidon, who, going home in haste and bringing out his horse,
asked for the bridle; but, his wife not knowing where it was, and,
when it could not be found, telling him she had lent it to a friend,
first they began to chide, then to curse one another, and his wife
wished the journey might prove ill to him and those that sent him;
insomuch that Chlidon's passion made him waste a great part of the
day in this quarrelling, and then, looking on this chance as an omen,
he laid aside all thoughts of his journey, and went away to some other
business. So nearly had these great and glorious designs, even in
their very birth, lost their opportunity.
But Pelopidas and his companions, dressing themselves like countrymen,
divided, and, whilst it was yet day, entered at different quarters
of the city. It was, besides, a windy day, and now it just began to
snow, which contributed much to their concealment, because most people
were gone indoors to avoid the weather. Those, however, that were
concerned in the design received them as they came, and conducted
them to Charon's house, where the exiles and others made up forty-eight
in number. The tyrant's affairs stood thus: the secretary, Phillidas,
as I have already observed, was an accomplice in and privy to all
the contrivance of the exiles, and he a while before had invited Archias,
with others, to an entertainment on that day, to drink freely, and
meet some women of the town, on purpose that when they were drunk,
and given up to their pleasures, he might deliver them over to the
conspirators. But before Archias was thoroughly heated notice was
given him that the exiles were privately in the town; a true report
indeed, but obscure, and not well confirmed: nevertheless, though
Phillidas endeavoured to divert the discourse, Archias sent one of
his guards to Charon, and commanded him to attend immediately. It
was evening, and Pelopidas and his friends with him in the house were
putting themselves into a fit posture for action, having their breastplates
on already, and their swords girt: but at the sudden knocking at the
door, one stepping forth to inquire the matter, and learning from
the officer that Charon was sent for by the polemarch, returned in
great confusion and acquainted those within; and immediately conjectured
that the whole plot was discovered, and they should be cut in pieces,
before so much as achieving any action to do credit to their bravery:
yet all agreed that Charon should obey and attend the polemarch to
prevent suspicion. Charon was, indeed, a man of courage and resolution
in all dangers, yet in this case he was extremely concerned, lest
any should suspect that he was the traitor and the death of so many
brave citizens he laid on him. And, therefore, when he was ready to
depart, he brought his son out of the women's apartment, a little
boy as yet, but one of the best looking and strongest of all those
of his age, and delivered him to Pelopidas with these words: "If you
find me a traitor, treat the boy as an enemy without any mercy." The
concern which Charon showed drew tears from many; but all protested
vehemently against his supposing any one of them so mean-spirited