] Then Gadatas prayed aloud:

"O Father Zeus, may the gods heap blessings on them also, but above
all on him who has made them what they are! And now, Cyrus, that I may
entertain as they deserve these men you praise, take the gifts I bring
you as their host, the best I have it in my power to bring."

And with the word he brought out stores of every kind, enough for all
to over sacrifice who listed; and the whole army was entertained in a
manner worthy of their feat and their success.

[15] Meanwhile the Cadousians had been always in the rear, unable to
share in the pursuit, and they longed to achieve some exploit of their
own. So their chieftain, with never a word to Cyrus, led them forth
alone, and raided the country towards Babylon. But, as soon as they
were scattered the Assyrians came out from their city of refuge in good
battle-order. [16] When they saw that the Cadousians were unsupported
they attacked them, killing the leader himself and numbers of his men,
capturing many of their horses and retaking the spoil they were in the
act of driving away. The king pursued as far as he thought safe, and
then turned back, and the Cadousians at last found safety in their own
camp, though even the vanguard only reached it late in the afternoon.
[17] When Cyrus saw what had happened he went out to meet them,
succouring every wounded man and sending him off to Gadatas at once, to
have his wounds dressed, while he helped to house the others in their
quarters, and saw that they had all they needed, his Peers aiding him,
for at such times noble natures will give help with all their hearts.
[18] Still it was plain to see that he was sorely vexed, and when the
hour for dinner came, and the others went away, he was still there on
the ground with the attendants and the surgeons; not a soul would he
leave uncared for if anything could be done: he either saw to it himself
or sent for the proper aid.

[19] So for that night they rested. But with daybreak Cyrus sent out
a herald and summoned a gathering of all the officers and the whole
Cadousian army, and spoke as follows:

"My friends and allies, what has happened is only natural; for it is
human nature to err, and I cannot find it astonishing. Still we may gain
at least one advantage from what has occurred, if we learn that we must
never cut off from our main body a detachment weaker than the force of
the enemy. [20] I do not say that one is never to march anywhere, if
necessary,