THE RESCUE OF THEBES. 255

and sought that of Hypates. He took the alarm
and fled, and was pursued to the roof, where he was
killed as he was trying to escape over the house-
tops.

This work done, and no alarm yet given, the con-
spirators proceeded to the prison, whose doors they
ordered to be opened. The jailer hesitated, and was
slain by a spear-thrust, the patriots rushing over his
body into the prison, from whose cells the tenants
were soon released. These, one hundred and fifty in
number, sufferers for their patriotic sentiments, were
quickly armed from battle-spoils kept near by, and
drawn up in battle array. And now, for the first
time, did the daring conspirators feel assurance of
sUuCCESS.

The tidings of what had been done by this time
got abroad, and ran like wildfire through the city.
Citizens poured excitedly into the streets. Hpami-
nondas, who was afterwards to become the great
leader of the Thebans, joined with some friends the
small array of patriots. Proclamation was made
throughout the city by heralds that the despots were
slain and Thebes was free, and all Thebans who
valued liberty were bidden to muster in arms in the
market-place. All the trumpeters in the city were
bidden to blow with might and main, from street to
street, and thus excite the people to take arms to
secure their liberty.

While night lasted surprise and doubt continued,
many of the citizens not knowing what todo. But
with day-dawn came a wild outburst of joy and en-
thusiasm. Horsemen and footmen hastened in arms