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anabasis-第34章

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; who saw their intention; sent a messenger across; bidding them wait there at the river's brink without crossing; but as soon as he and his detachment began to cross they were to step in facing him in two flanking divisions right and left of them; as if in the act of crossing; the javelin men with their javelins on the thong; and the bowmen with their arrows on the string; but they were not to advance far into the stream。 The order passed to his own men was: 〃Wait till you are within sling…shot; and the shield rattles; then sound the paean and charge the enemy。 As soon as he turns; and the bugle from the river sounds for 'the attack;' you will face about to the right; the rear rank leading; and the whole detachment falling back and crossing the river as quickly as possible; every one preserving his original rank; so as to avoid tramelling one another: the bravest man is he who gets to the other side first。〃

The Carduchians; seeing that the remnant left was the merest handful    30 (for many even of those whose duty it was to remain had gone off in their anxiety to protect their beasts of burden; or their personal kit; or their mistresses); bore down upon them valorously; and opened fire with slingstones and arrows。 But the Hellenes; raising the battle hymn; dashed at them at a run; and they did not await them; armed well enough for mountain warfare; and with a view to sudden attack followed by speedy flight; they were not by any means sufficiently equipped for an engagement at close quarters。 At this instant the signal of the bugle was heard。 Its notes added wings to the flight of the barbarians; but the Hellenes turned right about in the opposite direction; and betook themselves to the river with what speed they might。 Some of the enemy; here a man and there another; perceived; and running back to the river; let fly their arrows and wounded a few; but the majority; even when the Hellenes were well across; were still to be seen pursuing their flight。 The detachment which came to meet Xenophon's men; carried away by their valour; advanced further than they had need to; and had to cross back again in the rear of Xenophon's men; and of these too a few were wounded。



IV

The passage effected; they fell into line about mid…day; and marched    1 through Armenian territory; one long plain with smooth rolling hillocks; not less than five parasangs in distance; for owing to the wars of this people with the Carduchians there were no villages near the river。 The village eventually reached was large; and possessed a palace belonging to the satrap; and most of the houses were crowned with turrets; provisions were plentiful。

From this village they marched two stagesten parasangsuntil they had surmounted the sources of the river Tigris; and from this point they marched three stagesfifteen parasangsto the river Teleboas。 This was a fine stream; though not large; and there were many villages about it。 The district was named Western Armenia。 The lieutenant…governor of it was Tiribazus; the king's friend; and whenever the latter paid a visit; he alone had the privilege of mounting the king upon his horse。 This officer rode up to the Hellenes with a body of cavalry; and sending forward an interpreter; stated that he desired a colloquy with the leaders。 The generals resolved to   5 hear what he had to say; and advancing on their side to within speaking distance; they demanded what he wanted。 He replied that he wished to make a treaty with them; in accordance with which he on his side would abstain from injuring the Hellenes; if they would not burn his houses; but merely take such provisions as they needed。 This proposal satisfied the generals; and a treaty was made on the terms suggested。

From this place they marched three stagesfifteen parasangsthrough plain country; Tiribazus the while keeping close behind with his own forces more than a mile off。 Presently they reached a palace with villages clustered round about it; which were full of supplies in great variety。 But while they were encamping in the night; there was a heavy fall of snow; and in the morning it was resolved to billet out the different regiments; with their generals; throughout the villages。 There was no enemy in sight; and the proceeding seemed prudent; owing to the quantity of snow。 In these quarters they had for provisions all the good things there aresacrificial beasts; corn; old wines with an exquisite bouqet; dried grapes; and vegetables of all sorts。 But some of the stragglers from the camp reported having seen an army; and the blaze of many watchfires in the night。 Accordingly the generals concluded that it was not prudent to separate their quarters in this way; and a resolution was passed to bring the troops together again。 After that they reunited; the more so that the weather promised to be fine with a clear sky; but while they lay there in open quarters; during the night down came so thick a fall of snow that it completely covered up the stacks of arms and the men themselves lying down。 It cramped and crippled the baggage animals; and there was great unreadiness to get up; so gently fell the snow as they lay there warm and comfortable; and formed a blanket; except where it slipped off the sleepers' shoulders; and it was not until Xenophon roused himself to get up; and; without his cloak on'1'; began to split wood; that quickly first one and then another got up; and taking the log away      12 from him; fell to splitting。 Thereat the rest followed suit; got up; and began kindling fire and oiling their bodies; for there was a scented unguent to be found there in abundance; which they used instead of oil。 It was made from pig's fat; sesame; bitter almonds; and turpentine。 There was a sweet oil also to be found; made of the same ingredients。

'1' Or; as we should say; 〃in his shirt sleeves。〃 Doubtless he lay     with his {imation} or cloak loosely wrapped round him; as he     sprang to his feet he would throw it off; or it would fall off;     and with the simple inner covering of the {khiton} to protect him;     and arms free; he fell to chopping the wood; only half clad。

After this it was resolved that they must again separate their quarters and get under cover in the villages。 At this news the soldiers; with much joy and shouting; rushed upon the covered houses and the provisions; but all who in their blind folly had set fire to the houses when they left them before; now paid the penalty in the poor quarters they got。 From this place one night they sent off a party under Democrates; a Temenite'2'; up into the mountains; where the stragglers reported having seen watchfires。 The leader selected was a man whose judgement might be depended upon to verify the truth of the matter。 With a happy gift to distinguish between fact and fiction; he had often been successfully appealed to。 He went and reported that he had seen no watchfires; but he had got a man; whom he brought back with him; carrying a Persian bow and quiver; and a sagaris or battleaxe like those worn by the Amazons。 When asked 〃from what country he came;〃 the prisoner answered that he was 〃a Persian; and was going from the army of Tiribazus to get provisions。〃 They next asked him 〃how large the ar
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