anabasis-第25章
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his he did in apprehension of a night attack； for a Persian army is good for nothing at night。 Their horses are haltered； and； as a rule； hobbled as well； to prevent their escaping； as they might if loose； so that； if any alarm occurs； the trooper has to saddle and bridle his horse； and then he must put on his own cuirass； and then mountall which performances are difficult at night and in the midst of confusion。 For this reason they always encamped at a distance from the Hellenes。
When the Hellenes perceived that they were preparing to retire； and that the order was being given； the herald's cry； 〃Pack up for starting；〃 might be heard before the enemy was fairly out of earshot。 For a while the Asiatics paused； as if unwilling to be gone； but as night closed in； off they went； for it did not suit their notions of expediency to set off on a march and arrive by night。 And now； when the Hellenes saw that they were really and clearly gone； they too broke up their camp and pursued their march till they had traversed seven and a half miles。 Thus the distance between the two armies grew to be so great； that the next day the enemy did not appear at all； nor yet on the third day； but on the fourth the barbarians had pushed on by a forced night march and occupied a commanding position on the right； where the Hellenes had to pass。 It was a narrow mountain spur＇9＇ overhanging the descent into the plain。
＇9＇ Lit。 〃a mere nail tip。〃
But when Cheirisophus saw that this ridge was occupied； he summoned Xenophon from the rear； bidding him at the same time to bring up peltasts to the front。 That Xenophon hesitated to do； for Tissaphernes and his whole army were coming up and were well within sight。 Galloping up to the front himself； he asked： 〃Why do you summon me？〃 The other answered him： 〃The reason is plain； look yonder； this crest which overhangs our descent has been occupied。 There is no passing； 39 until we have dislodged these fellows； why have you not brought up the light infantry？〃 Xenophon explained： he had not thought it desirable to leave the rear unprotected； with an enemy appearing in the field of view。 〃However； it is time；〃 he added； 〃to decide how we are to dislodge these fellows from the crest。〃 At this moment his eye fell on the peak of the mountain； rising immediately above their army； and he could see an approach leading from it to the crest in question where the enemy lay。 He exclaimed： 〃The best thing we can do； Cheirisophus； is to make a dash at the height itself； and with what speed we may。 If we take it； the party in command of the road will never be able to stop。 If you like； stay in command of the army； and I will go； or； if you prefer； do you go to the mountain； and I will stay here。〃〃I leave it to you；〃 Cheirisophus answered； 〃to choose which you like best。〃 Xenophon remarking； 〃I am the younger；〃 elected to go； but he stipulated for a detachment from the front to accompany him； since it was a long way to fetch up troops from the rear。 Accordingly Cheirisophus furnished him with the light infantry from the front； reoccupying their place by those from the centre。 He also gave him； to form part of the detachment； the three hundred of the picked corps＇10＇ under his own command at the head of the square。
＇10＇ Some think that these three hundred are three of the detached companies described above； others； that they were a picked corps in attendance on the commander…in…chief。
They set out from the low ground with all the haste imaginable。 But the enemy in position on the crest no sooner perceived their advance upon the summit of the pass than they themselves set off full tilt in a rival race for the summit too。 Hoarse were the shouts of the Hellenic troops as the men cheered their companions forwards； and hoarse the answering shouts from the troops of Tissaphernes； urging on theirs。 Xenophon； mounted on his charger； rode beside his men； and roused their ardour the while。 〃Now for it； brave sirs； bethink you that this race is for Hellas！now or never！to find your boys； your wives； one small effort； and the rest of the march we shall pursue in peace； without ever a blow to strike； now for it。〃 But Soteridas the Sicyonian said： 〃We are not on equal terms； Xenophon； you are mounted 47 on a horse； I can hardly get along with my shield to carry；〃 and he； on hearing the reproach； leapt from his horse。 In another instant he had pushed Soteridas from the ranks； snatched from him his shield； and begun marching as quickly as he might under the circumstances； having his horseman's cuirass to carry as well； so that he was sore pressed； but he continued to cheer on the troops： exhorting those in front to lead on and the men toiling behind to follow up＇11＇。 Soteridas was not spared by the rest of the men。 They gave him blows； they pelted him； they showered him with abuse； till they compelled him to take back his shield and march on； and the other； remounting； led them on horseback as long as the footing held； but when the ground became too steep； he left his horse and pressed forward on foot； and so they found themselves on the summit before the enemy。
＇11＇ Some MSS。 〃and the men behind to pass him by； as he could but ill keep up the pace。〃
V
There and then the barbarians turned and fled as best they might； and 1 the Hellenes held the summit； while the troops with Tissaphernes and Ariaeus turned aside and disappeared by another road。 The main body with Cheirisophus made its way down into the plain and encamped in a village filled with good things of divers sorts。 Nor did this village stand alone； there were others not a few in this plain of the Tigris equally overflowing with plenty。 It was now afternoon； and all of a sudden the enemy came in sight on the plain； and succeeded in cutting down some of the Hellenes belonging to parties who were scattered over the flat land in quest of spoil。 Indeed； many herds of cattle had been caught whilst being conveyed across to the other side of the river。 And now Tissaphernes and his troops made an attempt to burn the villages； and some of the Hellenes were disposed to take the matter deeply to heart； being apprehensive that they might not know where to get provisions if the enemy burnt the villages。
Cheirisophus and his men were returning from their sally of defence when Xenophon and his party descended； and the latter rode along the 4 ranks as the rescuing party came up； and greeted them thus： 〃Do you not see； men of Hellas； they admit that the country is now ours； what they stipulated against our doing when they made the treaty； viz。 that we were not to fire the king's country； they are now themselves doingsetting fire to it as if it were not their own。 But we will be even with them； if they leave provisions for themselves anywhere； there also shall they see us marching；〃 and； turning to Cheirisophus； he added： 〃But it strikes me； we should sally forth against these incendiaries and protect our country。〃 Cheirisophus retorted： 〃That is not quite my view； I say； let us do a little burning ourselves； and they will cease all the quicker。〃
When they had got back to the villages； while the rest were busy about provisions； the generals and officers met： and here there was deep despondency。 For on the one side were exceedingly high mountains； on the other a river of such depth that they failed to reach the bottom with their spears。 In the midst of their perplexities； a Rhodian came up with a proposal； as follows： 〃I am ready； sirs to carry you across； four thousand heavy infantry at a time； if you will furnish me with what I need and give me a talent into the bargain for my pains。〃 When asked； 〃What shall you need？〃 he replied： 〃Two thousand wine…skins。 I see there are plenty of sheep and goats and asses。 They have only to be flayed； and their skins inflated； and they will readily give us a passage。 I shall want also the straps which you use for the baggage animals。 With these I shall couple the skins to one another； then I shall moor each skin by attaching stones and letting them down like anchors into the water。 Then I shall carry them across； and when I have fastened the links at both ends； I shall place layers of wood on them and a coating of earth on t
