PLAT^EA AND MYCALE. 167

vance was now made by the Peloponnesians from the isthmus to Eleusis, where they were joined by the Athenian contingent from Salamis. When they had ascertained where the Persians were, they set them- selves in array along the highlands of Cithseron. As they seemed indisposed to come down into the plain, Mardonius sent his cavalry to feel their position, under the command of Masistius. This Murat of the Persian army was a hand- some giant, who rode a white Nisaean charger, whose accoutrements, as well as those of his rider, glit- tered with gold. So rode Charles of Burgundy at Granson or at Morat. In the present day such cos- tume is scarcely to be seen further west than India, and some tall Eajah, full dressed for the Governor- General's durbar, would give a good idea of how Ma- sistius looked at the head of his cuirassiers. These galloped up to the Greek infantry in troops, hurling their javelins, and calling them " women " because they did not come on. The Megarians were in the most exposed place. Being hard pressed, they sent to Pausanias for succour. When he called for volunteers, the Athenians promptly offered, and three hundred picked men, supported by archers, moved up. The charges continued without cessation, Masistius leading with the utmost gallantry, and presenting a conspicu- ous mark to the bowmen. At last an arrow pierced the side of his charger. He reared back from the agony of the wound, and threw his rider, who now lay at the mercy of his enemies, stunned by his fall, and, like the knights of the middle ages, help- less from the weight of his panoply. His vest of Tyrian crimson was pierced with spear-points, but