henever we come in for a meal
we do just the same as they, and when the meal is over the hindmost
man of the last company leads out his men with their fighting-order
reversed, and the next company follows, led by their hindmost man, and
then the third, and then the fourth: so that all of them, if they have
to retire before an enemy, will know how to fall back in good order.
And as soon as we are drawn up on the parade-ground we set off marching
east, and I lead off with all my divisions behind me, in their regular
order, waiting for my word. By-and-by we march west, and then the
hindmost man of the last division leads the way, but they must still
look to me for commands, though I am marching last: and thus they learn
to obey with equal promptitude whether I am at the head or in the rear."

[23] "Do you mean to tell me," said Cyrus, "that this is a regular rule
of yours?"

"Truly yes," he answered, "as regular as our meals, heaven help us!"

"Then I hereby invite you all to dinner, and for three good reasons; you
practice your drill in both forms, you do this morning and evening both,
and by your marching and counter-marching you train your bodies and
benefit your souls. And since you do it all twice over every day, it is
only fair to give you dinner twice."

[24] "Not twice in one day, I beg you!" said the officer, "unless you
can furnish us with a second stomach apiece."

And so the conversation ended for the time. But the next day Cyrus was
as good as his word. He had all the regiment to dinner; and the day
after he invited them again: and when the other regiments knew of it
they fell to doing as they did.

[C.4] Now it chanced one day as Cyrus was holding a review, a messenger
came from Cyaxares to tell him that an embassy from India had just
arrived, and to bid him return with all despatch.

"And I bring with me," said the messenger, "a suit of splendid apparel
sent from Cyaxares himself: my lord wishes you to appear in all possible
splendour, for the Indians will be there to see you."

[2] At that Cyrus commanded the brigadier of the first regiment to draw
up to the front with his men behind him on the left in single file, and
to pass the order on to the second, and so throughout the army. Officers
and men were quick to obey; so that in a trice the whole force on the
field was drawn up, one hundred deep and three hundred abreast, with
their officers at the head. [3] When they were in position Cyrus bade
th