’ DARIUS AND THE SCYTHIANS. 123

Histiaus, despot of Miletus, whose advice had
saved the bridge for Darius, was richly rewarded
for his service, and attended Darius on his return
to Susa, the Persian capital, leaving his son-in-law
Aristagoras in command at Miletus. Some ten
years afterwards this regent of Miletus made an
attempt, with Persian aid, to capture the island of
Naxos. The effort failed, and Aristagoras, against
whom the Persians were incensed by their defeat
and their losses, was threatened with ruin. He
began to think of a revolt from Persian rule.

While thus mentally engaged, he received a
strangely-sent message from Histieus, who was
still detained at Susa, and who eagerly desired to
get away from dancing attendance at court and

return to his kingdom. Histisus advised his regent

to revolt. But as this message was far too danger-
ous to be sent by any ordinary channels, he adopted
an extraordinary method to insure its secrecy.
Selecting one of his most trusty slaves, Histisus
had his head shaved, and then pricked or tattooed
upon the bare scalp the message he wished to send.
Keeping the slave in seclusion until his hair had
grown again, he sent him to Miletus, where he was
instructed simply to tell Aristagoras to shave and
examine his head. Aristagoras did so, read the
tattooed message, and immediately took steps to
obey.

Word of the proposed revolt was sent by him to
the other cities along the coast, and all were found
ready to join in the attempt to secure freedom. Not
only the coast settlements, but the island of Cyprus,