and intercept, if they could, some of the men on the plain
and so discover the actual state of affairs. [7] While the detachment
carried out this order Cyrus halted the rest of his army to make such
dispositions as he thought necessary before coming to close quarters.
His first order was for the troops to take their breakfast: after
breakfast they were to fall in and wait for the word of command. [8]
When breakfast was over he sent for all the officers from the cavalry,
the infantry, and the chariot brigade, and for the commanders of the
battering engines and the baggage train, and they came to him. [9]
Meanwhile the troop of horse had dashed into the plain, cut off some
of the men, and now brought them in captive. The prisoners, on being
questioned by Cyrus, said they belonged to the camp and had gone out
to forage or cut wood and so had passed beyond their own pickets, for,
owing to the size of their army, everything was scarce.

[10] "How far is your army from here?" asked Cyrus. "About seven miles,"
said they. "Was there any talk about us down there?" said he. "We should
think there was," they answered; "it was all over the camp that you were
coming." "Ah," said Cyrus, "I suppose they were glad to hear we were
coming so soon?" (putting this question for his officers to hear the
answer). "That they were not," said the prisoners, "they were anything
but glad; they were miserable." [11] "And what are they doing now?"
asked Cyrus. "Forming their line of battle," answered they; "yesterday
and the day before they did the same."

"And their commander?" said Cyrus, "who is he?" "Croesus himself," said
they, "and with him a Greek, and also another man, a Mede, who is said
to be a deserter from you."

"Ah," cried Cyrus, "is that so? Most mighty Zeus, may I deal with him as
I wish!"

[12] Then he had the prisoners led away and turned to speak to his
officers, but at this moment another scout appeared, saying that a large
force of cavalry was in the plain. "We think," he added, "that they are
trying to get a sight of our army. For about thirty of them are riding
ahead at a good round pace and they seem to be coming straight for our
little company, perhaps to capture our look-out if they can, for there
are only ten of us there."

[13] At that Cyrus sent off a detachment from his own bodyguard,
bidding them gallop up to the place, unseen by the enemy, and stay there
motionless. "Wait," he said, "until our own ten must leave