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anabasis-第58章

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 astonishes me that any one should deem this particular gully a whit more terrible than any of the other barriers which we have successfully passed。 How impassable was the plain; had we failed to conquer their cavalry! how insurmountable the mountains already traversed by us; with all their peltasts in hot pursuit at our heels! Nay; when we have safely reached the sea; the Pontus will present a somewhat formidable gully; when we have neither vessels to convey us away nor corn to keep us alive whilst we stop。 But we shall no sooner be there than we must be off again to get provisions。 Surely it is better to fight to…day after a good breakfast than to…morrow on an empty stomach。 Sirs; the offerings are favourable to us; the omens are propitious; the victims more than promising; let us attack the enemy! Now that they have had a good look at us; these fellows must not be allowed to enjoy their dinners or choose a camp at their own sweet will。〃

After that the officers bade him lead on。 None gainsaid; and he led the way。 His orders were to cross the gully; where each man chanced to  22 find himself。 By this method; as it seemed to him; the troops would more quickly mass themselves on the far side than was possible; if they defiled along'1' the bridge which spanned the gully。 But once across he passed along the line and addressed the troops: 〃Sirs; call to mind what by help of the gods you have already done。 Bethink you of the battles you have won at close quarters with the foe; of the fate which awaits those who flee before their foes。 Forget not that we stand at the very doors of Hellas。 Follow in the steps of Heracles; our guide; and cheer each the other onwards by name。 Sweet were it surely by some brave and noble word or deed; spoken or done this day; to leave the memory of oneself in the hearts of those one loves。〃

'1' Lit。 〃had they wound off thread by thread〃; the metaphor is from     unwinding a ball of wool。

These words were spoken as he rode past; and simultaneously he began leading on the troops in battle line; and; placing the peltasts on either flank of the main body; they moved against the enemy。 Along the line the order had sped 〃to keep their spears at rest on the right shoulder until the bugle signal; then lower them for the charge; slow march; and even pace; no one to quicken into a run。〃 Lastly; the watchword was passed; 〃Zeus the Saviour; Heracles our Guide。〃 The enemy waited their approach; confident in the excellence of his position; but as they drew closer the Hellene light troops; with a loud alala! without waiting for the order; dashed against the foe。 The latter; on their side; came forward eagerly to meet the charge; both the cavalry and the mass of the Bithynians; and these turned the peltasts。 But when with counter…wave the phalanx of the heavy infantry rapidly advancing; faced them; and at the same time the bugle sounded; and the battle hymn rose from all lips; and after this a loud cheer rose; and at the same instant they couched their spears;at this conjuncture the enemy no longer welcomed them; but fled。 Timasion with his cavalry followed close; and; considering their scant numbers; they did great execution。 It was the left wing of the enemy; in a line with which the Hellene cavalry were posted; that was so speedily scattered。 But the right; which was not so hotly pursued; collected upon a knoll;  28 and when the Hellenes saw them standing firm; it seemed the easiest and least dangerous course to go against them at once。 Raising the battle hymn; they straightway fell upon them; but the others did not await their coming。 Thereupon the peltasts gave chase until the right of the enemy was in its turn scattered; though with slight loss in killed; for the enemy's cavalry was numerous and threatening。

But when the Hellenes saw the cavalry of Pharnabazus still standing in compact order; and the Bithynian horsemen massing together as if to join it; and like spectators gazing down from a knoll at the occurrences below; though weary; they determined to attack the enemy as best they could; and not suffer him to recover breath with reviving courage。 So they formed in compact line and advanced。 Thereupon the hostile cavalry turned and fled down the steep as swiftly as if they had been pursued by cavalry。 In fact they sought the shelter of a gully; the existence of which was unknown to the Hellenes。 The latter accordingly turned aside too soon and gave up the chase; for it was too late。 Returning to the point where the first encounter took place they erected a trophy; and went back to the sea about sunset。 It was something like seven miles to camp。



VI

After this the enemy confined themselves to their own concerns; and     1 removed their households and property as far away as possible。 The Hellenes; on their side; were still awaiting the arrival of Cleander with the ships of war and transports; which ought to be there soon。 So each day they went out with the baggage animals and slaves and fearlessly brought in wheat and barley; wine and vegetables; millet and figs; since the district produced all good things; the olive alone excepted。 When the army stayed in camp to rest; pillaging parties were allowed to go out; and those who went out appropriated the spoils; but when the whole army went out; if any one went off apart and seized      2 anything; it was voted to be public property。 Ere long there was an ample abundance of supplies of all sorts; for marketables arrived from Hellenic cities on all sides; and marts were established。 Mariners coasting by; and hearing that a city was being founded and that there was a harbour; were glad to put in。 Even the hostile tribes dwelling in the neighbourhood presently began to send envoys to Xenophon。 It was he who was forming the place into a city; as they understood; and they would be glad to learn on what terms they might secure his friendship。 He made a point of introducing these visitors to the soldiers。

Meanwhile Cleander arrived with two ships of war; but not a single transport。 At the moment of his arrival; as it happened; the army had taken the field; and a separate party had gone off on a pillaging expedition into the hills and had captured a number of small cattle。 In thir apprehension of being deprived of them; these same people spoke to Dexippus (this was the same man who had made off from Trapezus with the fifty…oared galley); and urged him to save their sheep for them。 〃Take some for yourself;〃 said they; 〃and give the rest back to us。〃 So; without more ado; he drove off the soldiers standing near; who kept repeating that the spoil was public property。 Then off he went to Cleander。 〃Here is an attempt;〃 said he; 〃at robbery。〃 Cleander bade him to bring up the culprit to him。 Dexippus seized on some one; and was for haling him to the Spartan governor。 Just then Agasias came across him and rescued the man; who was a member of his company; and the rest of the soldiers present set to work to stone Dexippus; calling him 〃traitor。〃 Things looked so ill that a number of the crew of the ships of war took fright and fled to the sea; and with the rest Cleander himself。 Xenophon and the other generals tried to hold the men back; assuring Cleander that 
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