Such were his hopes as he returned, well satisfied, to Katané. The clouds which had been hanging over him since he left home lifted and almost disappeared. His high spirits rose again as he thought of his entry as a conqueror into Athens, bringing with him the spoils of a mighty city, and offering to his countrymen the gratitude of a people delivered from oppression, and the sovereignty of Syrakuse, and of the whole of Sicily, all to be laid at his country’s feet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XIII ‘It would give me pain to tell you of the rumours that are flying about among the people, and the number of discordant and inconsistent opinions held about me.’—BOETHIUS. AS Alkibiades entered the harbour of Katané, he was surprised to see a well-known ship there, which certainly had not come with the rest—no less a vessel than the sacred state trireme of Athens, the _Salaminia_. His surprise was increased when, soon after his arrival, and while he was preparing to go ashore to refresh himself after his voyage, Kryptos, the captain of the _Salaminia_, came on board the _Eros_. Alkibiades received him with the courtesy due to so high a state official. Kryptos requested to be allowed to speak to him alone. When they had gone beneath the silken awning which served as a sort of state cabin on the stern-deck, Kryptos presented him with a despatch. There was something strange about the old man’s manner. Alkibiades opened it and read: ‘The Senate and the people of Athens to Alkibiades, the son of Kleinias, strategos of the Athenian fleet and army in Sicily.—You are hereby required on receipt of this to return immediately on board your own trireme to Athens, in company with the sacred state trireme, the _Salaminia_.’ The words grew indistinct for a moment as he read them, but he bowed to the Senate’s messenger, and told him he was prepared to follow whenever he should sail. The captain added that he was charged by the Senate to inform the strategos it was their wish that he should not leave his ship that night, so that he might be in readiness to sail next morning. Alkibiades bowed again, something in the Eastern fashion, and said he would obey in this, as in all other things, the mandate of the Senate. Amongst the officers of the _Salaminia_ who had come on board with the captain were some acquaintances of the officers of the _Eros_. They were glad of an opportunity to meet their friends, and while the captain was holding his interview with Alkibiades they hurriedly told what their business was, and something of what had taken place at Athens since the departure of the fleet. They said that the strategos was recalled and his office taken from him. They invited their friends to come and see them that evening on board the _Salaminia_. Then Kryptos, who had summonses for others in the fleet, came up to them, and they left the _Eros_.