the spot and
then dash out on the thirty as they come up the hill. And to prevent any
injury from the larger body, do you, Hystaspas," said he, turning to the
latter, "ride out with a thousand horse, and let them see you suddenly,
face to face. But remember not to pursue them out of sight, come back as
soon as you have secured our post. And if any of your opponents ride up
with their right hands raised, welcome them as friends."

[14] Accordingly Hystaspas went off and got under arms, while the
bodyguard galloped to the spot. But before they reached the scouts, some
one met them with his squires, the man who had been sent out as a spy,
the guardian of the lady from Susa, Araspas himself. [15] When the news
reached Cyrus, he sprang up from his seat, went to meet him himself,
and clasped his hand, but the others, who of course knew nothing, were
utterly dumbfounded, until Cyrus said:

"Gentlemen, the best of our friends has come back to us. It is high
time that all men should know what he has done. It was not through any
baseness, or any weakness, or any fear of me, that he left us; it was
because I sent him to be my messenger, to learn the enemy's doings and
bring us word. [16] Araspas, I have not forgotten what I promised you,
I will repay you, we will all repay you. For, gentlemen, it is only
just that all of you should pay him honour. Good and true I call him who
risked himself for our good, and took upon himself a reproach that was
heavy to bear."

[17] At that all crowded round Araspas and took him by the hand and made
him welcome. Then Cyrus spoke again:

"Enough, my friends, Araspas has news for us, and it is time to hear it.
Tell us your tale, Araspas, keep back nothing of the truth, and do not
make out the power of the enemy less than it really is. It is far better
that we should find it smaller than we looked for rather than strong
beyond our expectations." [18] "Well," began Araspas, "in order to
learn their numbers, I managed to be present at the marshalling of their
troops." "Then you can tell us," said Cyrus, "not only their numbers but
their disposition in the field." "That I can," answered Araspas, "and
also how they propose to fight." "Good," said Cyrus, "but first let us
hear their numbers in brief." [19] "Well," he answered, "they are drawn
up thirty deep, infantry and cavalry alike, all except the Egyptians,
and they cover about five miles; for I was at great pains," he added,
"to find out how mu