l. But Cyrus, on
hearing that the Chaldaeans were in the habit of going to India,
remembered how Indian ambassadors had come to the Medes to spy out their
affairs, and how they had gone on to their enemies--doubtless to do the
same there--and he felt a wish that they should hear something of
what he had achieved himself. [28] So he said to the company: "Son of
Armenia, and men of the Chaldaeans, I have something to ask you. Tell
me, if I were to send ambassadors to India, would you send some of your
own folk with them to show them the way, and support them in gaining
for us all that I desire? I still need more money if I am to pay all the
wages, as I wish, in full, and give rewards and make presents to such of
my soldiers as deserve them. It is for such things I need all the money
I can get, for I believe them to be essential. It would be pleasanter
for me not to draw on you, because I look on you already as my friends,
but I should be glad to take from the Indian as much as he will give me.
My messenger--the one for whom I ask guides and coadjutors--will go to
the king and say: 'Son of India, my master has sent me to you, bidding
me say that he has need of more money. He is expecting another army from
Persia,' and indeed I do expect one," Cyrus added. "Then my messenger
will proceed, 'If you can send my master all that you have at hand he
will do his best, if God grant him success, that you should feel your
kindness has not been ill-advised.' [30] That is what my emissary will
say: and you must give such instructions to yours as you think fit
yourselves. If I get money from the king, I shall have abundance at my
disposal: if I fail, at least we shall owe him no gratitude, and as far
as he is concerned we may look to our own interests alone."

[31] So Cyrus spoke, convinced that the ambassadors from Armenia and
Chaldaea would speak of him as he desired all men might do. And then, as
the hour was come, they broke up the meeting and took their rest.

[C.3] But on the next day Cyrus despatched his messenger with
the instructions, and the Armenians and Chaldaeans sent their own
ambassadors, choosing the men they thought would help Cyrus most and
speak of his exploits in the most fitting terms. Cyrus put a strong
garrison in the fort and stored it with supplies, and left an officer in
command, a Mede, whose appointment, he thought, would gratify Cyaxares,
and then he turned homewards, taking with him not only the troops he h