Then appalling news came that Tissaphernes was again negotiating with the Lakedaimonian commissioners. It was reported that he had actually concluded a fresh treaty with them, by which he pledged himself to renew his promised pay, and bring that wonderful fleet at last from Aspendos, that much-desired aid which was always coming, but which never came. As soon as Alkibiades was elected general, he determined to go and see for himself what his Persian friend was doing. He knew the weakness of the Viceroy’s character—how easily, in his absence, the Spartans might persuade or frighten him into carrying out his promises to them. The whole Athenian fleet at the new Athens, as Samos was called, escorted him some way upon his journey, making no secret of the mission upon which the general was going to Tissaphernes. The _Eros_ was refitted, and if not quite so gay as it had been before time, and if hard work had made both the ship and its commander look less glorious than they had once appeared, yet, as he stood once more on the well-known deck, he could almost fancy that all was as it had been four years ago. There was no attempt to avoid the Lakedaimonian navy as he went: he rather courted their attention. One of his purposes in going was to show the Spartans the power that he still had with Tissaphernes, although they, in his absence, had been endeavouring to undermine it. He landed with his retinue at Paniônion, and his armed cavalcade made an imposing show as it wound through the lovely grove where the Ionian cities met in solemn conclave to discuss the policy of all the several colonies, and where the Paniônian games were held, and thence along the delightful valley which lies between Mount Thorax and the Maiandros, and so through vales and hills, till it reached the residence of the Persian satrap. How different was his entry into Magnesia now from what it had been when, a fugitive from treacherous Spartans, he came to ask for shelter and asylum! The state with which he travelled was not without its special reasons. If he wished to impress the Spartans and his fellow-countrymen with his power over the Viceroy, he also wished to show the Viceroy his power over his fellow-countrymen. The meeting between them was as cordial as ever. Poor Tissaphernes shed tears on seeing his friend, thinking how soon they would have to part again. The want of his Athenian counsellor when he was gone was as the losing of a prop, a strong support to lean upon. He thought, too, of the happy days when his friend had come as a suppliant asking his protection.