Then Ajax and Ulysses departed, and told the message of Achilles to King Agamemnon. CHAPTER XI THE ADVENTURE OF ULYSSES AND DIOMED The other chiefs of the Greeks slept that night; but King Agamemnon slept not; sore troubled was he in heart. For when he looked towards Troy, and saw the many fires, and heard the sound of flute and pipe and the murmur of men, he was astonished; and when he looked towards the ships he groaned, and tore his hair, thinking what evil might come to the people. Then it seemed good to him to seek counsel from Nestor. So he arose, and drew his coat about his breast, and bound the sandals on his feet, and wrapped a tawny lion's hide about him, and took a spear in his hand. To Menelaus also came no sleep that night. So he arose, and wrapped a leopard's skin about him, and put on his head a cap of bronze, and took a spear in his hand, and went to seek his brother. He found him arming by his ship, and said; "Why armest thou? Wilt thou send some one to spy out the doings of the Trojans? I fear much that no man will undertake the task to go alone, for it is a daring deed." To him replied King Agamemnon: "We have need of good counsel, my brother, that we may save the people. Truly the mind of Zeus is changed; for never hath a man wrought such destruction in one day as did Hector on the Greeks. Run thou to Ajax and Idomeneus, and call them to the council, and I will go to Nestor." So the chiefs were gathered to the council. First of all they went to the company of them that watched the camp. These they found not sleeping but awake. As dogs that hear the sound of some wild beast in the wood, so did the watch look towards the plain, thinking to hear the sound of the feet of the Trojans. Gladly did old Nestor see them, and spake, saying, "Such be your watch, my children, lest we become a prey to our enemies." Then he hasted to cross the trench, and with him went the other princes. In an open spaces that was clear of dead, they sat down, even where Hector had turned back from slaying the Greeks. And Nestor rose and said: "Is there now a man who will go among the sons of Troy, and see what they are minded to do? Great honour will he win, and gifts." Then Diomed said, "I am ready to go, but I would fain have some one with me. To have a companion gives comfort and courage, and, indeed, two wits are better than one to take counsel and to foresee." And many were willing to go with Diomed. But Agamemnon said, "Choose the best man, O Diomed, and regard not the birth or rank of any." And Diomed answered: "If I may choose, whom should I choose rather than the wise Ulysses? Brave is he, and prudent, and Athene loves him well." But Ulysses said: "Praise me not overmuch, nor blame me. Only let us go, for the night is far spent."